Canon
Baroque works
Definition
A contrapuntal technique in which a melody is imitated by one or more voices at a fixed time interval, each voice following the same melodic line. Also used as a title for independent pieces built on this technique.
Historical Context
Canon is one of the oldest contrapuntal techniques. Bach's canons in the Musical Offering and Goldberg Variations represent the pinnacle of the form's sophistication. Pachelbel's Canon in D is the most widely known example. As a standalone title the form is less common but appears in pedagogical and concert repertoire.