The original melody was in E Phrygian, but Pachelbel, like many composers of the time, used an Ionian harmonization, presumably to avoid the mood of the Phrygian mode. Variation 1 is a three-part setting of the melody with the bass written out in short note values providing dynamic support to the upper voices.
Pachelbel's original theme was initially composed in E Phrygian, but he chose to harmonize it in Ionian, probably to avoid its melancholic connotation. Variation 1 presents a three-part rendition of the melody, where the bass part is written out in staccato notes to add dynamic contrast to the upper voices.