Can Johann Pachelbel be classified as a one hit wonder?

In short: yes. In the same way that most composers of massively popular single works have a vast catalogue of lesser-known masterpieces behind them (Bruch, Holst, Mascagni, Gounod), so Pachelbel has become synonymous with his Canon in D. read more

This is the unfortunate fate of Pachelbel, who wrote many fine, even great, pieces. The fact that the uneducated can’t name any piece other than the overplayed “Canon” (and it’s not even a canon) doesn’t make him a “one-hit wonder”. read more

And, as far as I'm concerned, no one-hit wonder gets more plays at weddings than Johann Pachelbel, composer of the ubiquitous aisle accompaniment, “Canon in D Major.” Okay, so I know this isn't your typical one-hit wonder, and it doesn't even fit into its technical definition, but screw technicalities and definitions. read more