Shredding her guitar to “Canon Rock,” Latvia’s Laura Lace attracted 148 million fans who were drawn to her high-speed guitar heroics in the rock arrangement of “Canon in D,” a Baroque composition that today is a popular wedding march.
For decades, breaking into the music or art industry was a brutal uphill battle. Gatekeepers like record labels, gallery owners, and casting directors held the keys to success, leaving thousands of talented artists stuck in obscurity.
But internet has changed everything, allowing an artist to become a global sensation overnight.
That’s what happened to Laura Lace, a neoclassical guitarist from Riga, Latvia, who finds inspiration from classic composers like Beethoven, Bach and Vivaldi.
Since 2016, Lace has been performing for her 246,000 followers, sharing videos of her electric-guitar virtuosity, blending classical music with some hardcore rock and roll.
Canon in D
One of her more popular videos – it’s been viewed 148 million times since she posted it in 2016 – is her breathtaking rendition of “Canon Rock,” a hardcore adaptation of Johann Pachelbel’s iconic “Canon in D (Major).”
The composition, commonly used today as a wedding march, dates to before 1706, when the German Baroque composer died at 52.
‘Canon Rock’
Lace’s rock recording was arranged by the legendary JerryC, a Taiwanese guitarist and composer, who gained global recognition for his rock arrangement of “Canon Rock.”
JerryC shared his composition on YouTube in 2006 – one year after the online video sharing platform went live – and he quickly went viral.
Today, his original video, where he’s seen playing “Canon Rock” from his bed, has 26 million views, and the piece has become a rite of passage for aspiring rock guitarists worldwide.
Technical challenge
While many attempt to cover challenging pieces like “Canon Rock,” few manage to do so with the same level of skill and musicality as Lace.
Playing the exceedingly difficult rock arrangement of Pachelbel’s “Canon D” “is no small feat. It’s a technically demanding piece with alternate picking, sweep picking, and challenging legato runs, making it a technical challenge for even experienced guitarists.
Yet, Lace performs it with such ease and confidence that it feels completely effortless.
‘Makes the guitar sing’
Online fans are blown away by how she plays each note with pinpoint accuracy while maintaining a natural flow and rhythm.
“This was amazing. She hit those notes so effortlessly and flawlessly. She’s definitely superhuman,” writes one fan in the comments section of her YouTube performance.
“She has a beautiful tone. She’s not just playing notes, she makes the guitar sing,” shares a second.
A third offers, “Amazing how this song is approx. 350 years old. And it keeps going. One of my favorite all time songs. Made by a master of music.”
And even though “Canon Rock” has been covered by thousands of guitarists, Lace brings a fresh, exciting energy to the piece that keeps fans coming back for more.
“Saw this first back in 2016 and instantly got hooked. Here again after 8 years. Glad to see myself [eight years ago] had good music taste,” adds another.
Lace’s “Canon Rock” performance isn’t just a cover – it’s a masterpiece in its own right.
If you haven’t yet seen her perform, do yourself a favor and watch it now! Please let us know what you think of this incredibly skilled musician and then share this story so others can enjoy some of her talents too!
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