The Answer:
Yes. In fact, for centuries, Johann Pachelbel
(1653–1706) was best known for his organ music. He composed
dozens of chorale
preludes, fugues, and other works for
the organ.
He is not believed to have composed much chamber music. The "Canon
and Gigue in D" for three violins and basso continuo is one of his
only surviving pieces from that genre, and it was generally overlooked
for centuries.
In the 1970s, the "Canon in D" rose from obscurity (without its
companion "Gigue in D," which is still rarely played) to become one of
the best-known and most popular Baroque pieces. It was probably made
popular by a 1970 recording by the Jean-François Paillard
Chamber Orchestra, which unexpectedly became a radio hit. It has since
been used in any number of movie soundtracks, and it is often played
at weddings. It has eclipsed all of Pachelbel's other work to the
extent that two separate albums containing nothing but interpretations
of "Canon in D" have been released with the title
Pachelbel's Greatest Hit.
—The Editors
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