John does something not many guitarists do with this piece,...he plays it at a good tempo and doesnt rush through it. Just about every other performance of this piece I have heard was played at blistering speed like it was a race from start to finish. John plays it with perfect tempo where you can actually enjoy the notes and the phrasing.
First : the Fleta John plays here, is the best guitar I've ever heard, although I am a great Smallman fan... Second: when John plays it, what do we want more ? He is the hero and will ever be...
Wait... this exists?!? Even with the last 2 movements missing this is still gold. Man I wish I could hear the Gigue from this performance though... all the same, thank you for uploading!
Well what to say? Williams isn't my favorite guitarist, but his artistry is beyond question. The notes are always pure and there, even in the least inspired performances. In this case it is more evident the technical precision of Williams, some moments a little mechanical, but in Bach that's more than enough ! So this is still a Prelude, so demanding, and three dances from Bach's Suite IV so clean that many other versions pale in comparison! Also, the sound pickup is that of the time and not so professional, (I guess only from the camera microphone?) but in any case not well mixed: normal cell phone today is likely more faithful. So this remains a professional and nice live Bach on the guitar without compromises ! A lesson after 50 years or so...
Quite a number of fluffs for JW. Maybe it was the first piece on the program and it took a bit to get into full flow. I'm always amazed at his sitting position; almost on the edge of the chair, leaning forward with the guitar pointing to the floor - looks rather uncomfortable. Lucky enough to have seen him in concert quite a number of times over the years, one could always just sit back and enjoy it as he was always in control. With JulianB I was always a nervous wreck as he continually seemed to be on the verge of collapse, exciting though!
imo, that old Fleta has an action you could put your hand under! And not the best tuning machineheads/nut alignment either (you hear the 'clicks' when he tunes). Actions have dropped some in recent days. Especially when attempting pieces like this (at speed). It helps a lot.
Toutes ces remarques sont pertinentes mais cela reste le maître pour moi, cela paraît tellement facile et il ne cherche pas à faire une compétition,...il a dit dans une émission TV anglaise je crois que parfois on jouait mieux seul chez soi qu'en public, mais qu'il fallait tout simplement l'accepter
John does something not many guitarists do with this piece,...he plays it at a good tempo and doesnt rush through it. Just about every other performance of this piece I have heard was played at blistering speed like it was a race from start to finish. John plays it with perfect tempo where you can actually enjoy the notes and the phrasing.
I miss John Williams and Julian Bream recitals on Sunday mornings. RIP JB
First : the Fleta John plays here, is the best guitar I've ever heard, although I am a great Smallman fan...
Second: when John plays it, what do we want more ? He is the hero and will ever be...
aw the bouree and the gigue are gorgeous
Wait... this exists?!? Even with the last 2 movements missing this is still gold. Man I wish I could hear the Gigue from this performance though... all the same, thank you for uploading!
Id love to see the full concert if its on video
The master !
Well what to say? Williams isn't my favorite guitarist, but his artistry is beyond question. The notes are always pure and there, even in the least inspired performances. In this case it is more evident the technical precision of Williams, some moments a little mechanical, but in Bach that's more than enough ! So this is still a Prelude, so demanding, and three dances from Bach's Suite IV so clean that many other versions pale in comparison!
Also, the sound pickup is that of the time and not so professional, (I guess only from the camera microphone?) but in any case not well mixed: normal cell phone today is likely more faithful. So this remains a professional and nice live Bach on the guitar without compromises ! A lesson after 50 years or so...
Wow!
♥️♥️♥️
Show!
Quite a number of fluffs for JW. Maybe it was the first piece on the program and it took a bit to get into full flow. I'm always amazed at his sitting position; almost on the edge of the chair, leaning forward with the guitar pointing to the floor - looks rather uncomfortable. Lucky enough to have seen him in concert quite a number of times over the years, one could always just sit back and enjoy it as he was always in control. With JulianB I was always a nervous wreck as he continually seemed to be on the verge of collapse, exciting though!
imo, that old Fleta has an action you could put your hand under! And not the best tuning machineheads/nut alignment either (you hear the 'clicks' when he tunes). Actions have dropped some in recent days. Especially when attempting pieces like this (at speed). It helps a lot.
Toutes ces remarques sont pertinentes mais cela reste le maître pour moi, cela paraît tellement facile et il ne cherche pas à faire une compétition,...il a dit dans une émission TV anglaise je crois que parfois on jouait mieux seul chez soi qu'en public, mais qu'il fallait tout simplement l'accepter
Even Vladimir Horowitz made a few mistakes sometimes. Williams is in the same class!
Excuse me
This video is bach.. ehh... back !