BRILLIANT CLASSICS Pachelbel: Complete Keyboard Music

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most important organist/composers of the South German Organ School in the 17th century. A child prodigy he soon became a professional organist and he held important posts at several German courts before finally settling in Nuremberg, where he was organist and sought-after teacher.Pachelbel s music enjoyed enormous popularity during his lifetime. His style was influenced by Froberger and Kerll, as well as by Italian composers Frescobaldi and Carissimi. He employed a lucid, uncomplicated contrapuntal style that emphasized melodic and harmonic clarity over virtuosity and dense complexity. His keyboard works include Toccatas, Fugues, Fantasias, Chaconnes, Preludes and Chorale Preludes and the Hexachordum Apollinis, a series of 6 Arias and Variations.Simone Stella is one of the foremost keyboard players of today. He has a substantial discography to his name, including the complete keyboard works by Buxtehude, Walther,Froberger, Reincken and Böhm, a colossal achievement! His playing is fed by a deep understanding of the style and technique: free, joyous and always full of character and affect.The extensive liner notes in the booklet are written by the artist.