John Holloway, Stanley Ritchie, Andrew Manze - Pachelbel: Canon (original version) & other 17th century music for three violins (1998)

The violin was perhaps the most popular instrument of the 17th century. It turns up in nearly every Baroque instrumental genre, including the solo sonata, the concerto, and the immensely popular trio sonata (for two violins, often complimented by harpsichord, organ, or theorbo). Much less common, but equally compelling, are pieces for three violins with some sort of plucked or strummed accompaniment. Many of Europe's most celebrated composers made contributions to this branch of violin music, and 11 of them are featured on this album. Henry Purcell offers the well-crafted and virtuosic "Three Parts upon a Ground," while Italian composers Marco Uccellini and Biagio Marini spotlight the violin's lyrical qualities. There's also a canon by a certain German named Johann Pachelbel. This work, which has become glorified elevator music, is given new life here in its original version. Enlivened with a brisk tempo, a crystalline texture, and stylish ornamentation, it is clearly the disc's centerpiece. The featured musicians play with extraordinary sensitivity and style on authentic Baroque instruments. You may never want to hear Pachelbel's Canon played any other way.