Does understanding the Visuddhimagga require a knowledge of the Pali Canon?

I quite fancy reading the Visuddhimagga at some point. I have heard good things about it. However I'm aware that it is a commentary on the Pali Canon and that has put me off starting it. How much of the Pali Canon would one need to read before you could profitably read the Visuddhimagga. All of it (daunting), none of it or some. If it is some then which some. What are the parts of the Pali Canon that it would be best to read before the Visuddhimagga?