Canon in D — Wedding String Quartet Sheet Music PDF
Pachelbel’s Canon — the perfect wedding piece, arranged for string quartet by Paul Lorenz — complete score & all four parts, PDF
Edition facts
Canon in D by Pachelbel, arranged by Paul Lorenz for string quartet: full score (9 pages) and separate parts (7 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €19.90.
- Instrumentation
- Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello
- Pages
- 16 pages — full score (9) + separate parts (7)
- Tempo
- ♩ = 50
- Edition
- 2024
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
Every string quartet has played Pachelbel’s Canon in D — but most have done it despite their sheet music, not because of it. The 1919 archival edition that dominates free download sites was engraved for a library shelf, not a performance stand: staff sizes too small for shared reading, no individual parts, no dynamics, no coherent page layout for live use. The result is hours of needless preparation time before a single note is rehearsed.
This professional string quartet arrangement by Paul Lorenz was built from the ground up for the demands of the modern ceremony ensemble. With MOLA-compliant 8.5mm staves, 600 DPI resolution for crisp tablet display on forScore, and a complete package of individually extracted parts delivered instantly on purchase, it is the edition that lets your quartet focus on what actually matters: the music.
Hear the arrangement
A 30-second excerpt from Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement.
Listen to the full recording Artyfile Stream · lossless Hi-FiChoose your “Canon in D” edition
String Quartet Arrangement
€19.90String quartet · 16 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The performance-ready edition for professional and semi-professional wedding quartets. Every file you need is in a single instant download — no extraction, no reformatting, no surprises at rehearsal.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed edition
Piano Solo
from €5.90
“Canon in D” is also published in this scoring — with its own score preview and full details on the edition page.
View this edition →Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Violin I | Clarinet in B♭, Viola |
| Violin II | Clarinet in B♭, Viola |
| Viola | Clarinet in B♭, Violin, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Cello | Bassoon, Double bass |
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Violin I part as Clarinet in B♭.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- Complete Parts Package: Conductor score plus all four individual parts — everything your quartet needs in one download, no manual extraction required.
- MOLA-Compliant Engraving: 8.5mm staff sizes and 600 DPI resolution — fully legible on shared stands, even in low cathedral lighting.
- Tablet & Print Ready: Crisp at any zoom level on iPad with forScore; prints sharply on A4 or Letter with no pixelation.
- Performance-Optimized Layout: Page turns placed during rests and natural breathing points — never interrupting a phrase mid-bow.
- Licensed for Your Ensemble: Your purchase licenses this edition for performances by your quartet — private ceremonies, public concerts, and corporate events; any PRO reporting is handled by the organiser as usual.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Every part is also available for other instruments — the viola part for cello, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. For a different key, contact us — our arrangement service tailors any edition to your exact ensemble.
Canon in D sheet music at a glance
| Song | Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel (c. 1680); public domain |
| Arrangement | String quartet — Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full conductor’s score + all four individually extracted parts |
| Difficulty | Grade 3–4 — advanced-intermediate to semi-professional ensembles |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Public-domain work; arrangement licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble; standard PRO reporting (GEMA/AKM/SUISA or ASCAP/BMI/PRS) by the organiser |
| Reference recording | Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording — sound sample on this page, complete on Artyfile Stream |
| Price | €19.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Canon in D is the quiet certainty of the processional — the piece that carries a bride down the aisle and settles a room before the vows. This edition is written for:
- Professional and semi-professional wedding quartets who need a clean, shared-stand read on the day
- Conservatory-trained chamber groups performing ceremonies and civic events
- Experienced event ensembles who play the piece often and want an edition they can trust cold
- Music directors building a dependable ceremony library
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full conductor’s score, engraved for legibility on a shared stand
- Violin I, Violin II, Viola, and Cello parts, individually extracted
- High-resolution 600 DPI PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Canon in D
Pachelbel’s ground bass is built for the moment of arrival — an unhurried tread that grows from a single line into a full four-voice weave, which is exactly why it opens so many ceremonies. Set your tempo to the walk, not the metronome, and let the upper voices bloom as the procession advances; the piece can breathe across a long aisle or resolve quickly for a short one. It sits naturally alongside other processional and recessional favourites, giving a quartet a settled, elegant frame for the whole service. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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Canon in D sheet music — frequently asked questions
Can I hear this arrangement before I buy?
Yes. The sound sample near the top of this page plays a 30-second excerpt of Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement, and the complete recording streams on Artyfile Stream — his lossless hi-fi service, where full playback requires a subscription.
What exactly is included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full conductor score plus all four individually extracted parts — Violin I, Violin II, Viola, and Cello — all as high-resolution PDFs at 600 DPI, optimized for iPad display and professional A4/Letter printing.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade 3–4, Advanced Intermediate to Semi-Professional. Suitable for conservatory-trained wedding ensembles, semi-professional chamber groups, and experienced event quartets. The arrangement is accessible without being simplified — it preserves the full harmonic depth of the original.
Do I need a performance license?
Pachelbel’s original Canon in D is in the public domain. Your purchase includes the license to perform this arrangement with the purchasing ensemble — weddings, ceremonies, and concerts included. Any reporting of the public performance to a performing-rights society (GEMA/AKM/SUISA, or ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) is handled by the organiser as usual. For commercial recordings or broadcast, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services — a capability unique in the industry. The viola part is available for cello (or bassoon) right away through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. Whether you need a key transposition or any other adjustment for your specific roster, we can tailor this arrangement to your exact requirements. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Can I play the Violin I part on Clarinet in B♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Violin I part is also available for Clarinet in B♭ and Viola – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
4 instrumental parts for 7 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).