Johann Pachelbel (~1653 - 1706) was a German composer known for his works for organ and one of the great organ masters of the generation before J.S. Bach.

Pachelbel studied voice at Altdorf and Stevenensburg and held posts as organist in Vienna, Stuttgart, and other cities. In 1695 he was appointed organist at the St. Sebalduskirche in Nürnberg, where he remained until his death. He also taught organ, and one of his pupils was Johann Christoph Bach, who in turn gave his younger brother Johann Sebastian Bach his first formal keyboard lessons.

All Pachelbel's work is in a contrapuntally simple style. His own organ compositions show a knowledge of Italian forms derived from Frescobaldi through J.J. Froberger. Of special importance are his chorale preludes, which did much to establish the chorale melodies of Protestant northern Germany in the more lyrical musical atmosphere of the Catholic south. His popular Canon in D Major was written for three violins and continuo and was published with a gigue in the same key. His son, Wilhelm Hieronymous Pachelbel, was also an organist and composer.

Source: AllMusic (https://www.allmusic.com/composition/JPachelbel0002237 756).

Although originally created for Organ, I created this Arrangement of the Chorale: "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her" (From Heaven on High The Angels Sing) for String Trio (Violin, Viola & Cello).