Customer Reviews

The Elegance of Pachelbel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

When I pull out a CD, it's not often classical music. This one is the exception. If your nerves are jangled, there's nothing better to plug in, once you've taken your seat on a plane. You almost instantly relax. It's like a massage for your central nervous system. I notice in these reviews that classical music lovers tend to rate Pachabel CD's low. We all have different tastes, and I find these reviews help sort out what you will or won't like. With all due respect to those who love 'classical music,' most of it either bores me or gives me a headache. I guess this is for a different breed - those who don't tend to classical, but who may enjoy a truly beautiful piece of music, performed superbly.

This should be made clear: the CD does not contain many versions of the Pachelbel Canon (...), in a "New Age" style but with classical form. The Canon itself is performed only once (on the last track). If you are an adept of baroque music, if you believe that the Canon should be performed as it was meant and written by Johann Pachelbel (with the Gigue that follows, for example), on authentic instruments, then by all means do <em>not</em> buy this CD, you will hate it. On the other hand, if you like the Pachelbel Canon in many forms, if you do not care about authenticity, and if you enjoy relaxing "New Age" style music, then you will love it. Evidently the composer (Michael Maxwell) is very able and, provided you do not take this CD for what it is not, it is a remarkable piece of work.

This CD is so wonderful that I've just about worn it out and I'm ordering a copy for a friend for Christmas. The last track is the most beautiful piece of music ever written or performed and it brings me to tears! Another friend of mine, who is a music teacher, borrowed it for a class to teach the kids about different styles of music. She said the noctural was really very calming for them, and they enjoyed hearing the Canon performed in different ways.

I am not a person who usually listens to classical music. I originaly bought this cd to help put my new baby to sleep, now I can't stop listening to it. This cd has led me to buy more classical music. I would give it ten stars if I could.

I bought this CD after reading the reviews
here and am now resolute that I will never again
blindly trust such anonymous reviewing. I wanted
Pachelbel's Canon and I got the worst kind
of new-agey dribble imaginable. The Canon itself
is played once and the rest of the CD is filled
with syruppy variations that fall flat as they
leave the speakers. Hey, can one return a
once-played CD to Amazon? I rate this
CD triple ugh!

There is something that touches my soul when I hear this piece of music. I simply cannot get enough of it. This new age blend of Pachelbel's canon is a thing of beauty.

I have always liked the classical version of Pachelbel's canon, and now I like this version even better.

I absolutely LOVE this CD. I'm usually not one for classical music, but this CD is different. The music is really soothing and its great to play while studying or just relaxing. Unlike everyone else, my favorite is Serenade...it is so beautiful and seems to really tell a story. I love Canon also, who doesn't?? But this CD is definately a keeper-as long as you don't know enough about classical music to critize its "shortcomings". If you're a really big classical music fan, you might consider something else.

Not an analytical review, but you might like to know:

The music of this CD is so flowing and tranquil that it was chosen by Coral World (St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands)as background music for the amazing 360 degree underwater view in their Caribbean Reef Encounter Room.

I am perhaps THE ultimate admirer of this mans works and I am here to say, if it is Pachelbel (Johann only), it is a magnificient work make no mistake I would give it fifty stars if I could, so I will. To you, my Baroque Babe, I give you the highest praise possible.