stop registration

The selection and combination of organ stops (ranks of pipes) to produce a desired timbre for a particular movement or section. In Pachelbel's relatively straightforward organ writing, registration choices clarify the texture rather than creating programmatic colour.

For Pachelbel's chorale preludes, a Principal 8' or Gedackt 8' for the cantus firmus voice with a softer Flute 8' or Quintaton in the accompanying voices is historically appropriate and texturally clear. For the free organ works (toccatas, chaconnes), a full Plenum (Principal chorus) suits the fugal sections; for transitional passages, the Plenum can be reduced to Principals alone without Mixtures.