This is an interpretation on a totally different level: first, in his choice of a much slower tempo Galbraight highlghts the internal tensions (crescendos and diminuendos) in a totally organic fashion that creates a beginning-middle-end narrative. His use of dynamics is incredible (beyond any other guitarrists). I always thought (and still think) that Manuel Barrueco´s version of the Chaconne is one of the most musically convicing, but hearing this by Galbraight shows just how rich a piece the Chaconne is, and how many different ways it can be performed. From a musical point of view, the Chaconne represents the highest challenge; yes, there are technically challenging parts, but just pulling it off with dexterity is not enough (which is my view of Pepe Romero´s version, which doesn´t really do anything for me, and actually spoils it with his flamencoisms - the rapid scale passages he plays in such a way that reminds me nothing of what I conceive of the ideal sound for Bach). Galbraight´s instrument is also remarkable and beyond what the six-string is capable of doing (how plays complete Haydn and Mozart sonatas, Ravel, Debussy, Hindemith - notice how Galbraight effortlessly plays his transcriptions of great music and does not really play that much of the standard guitar repertoire). For me, the true revolution (practically Copernican-like) in the guitar has a name: Paul Galbraight. It´s almost like him making most others look like kids playing the guitar.
This is slowly becoming my favorite version of Chaconne. Aside from his impeccable technique and musicality, the instrument is a wonder itself - it just sounds, idk, fuller and more complete than any other guitar. The bass punches deep and the treble especially has a crystal clear quality that I've never heard before on a guitar. We need more Brahms guitar performances!
No words to describe how every EVERY single not feels right and soulfull. I can't find a better bach guitar player... thank you very much maestro Galbraith...
Thank you Maestro, you made this about Bach's music and not about a performers ego. Love those bass notes too! If you ever see this then thanks for your encouragement in the late 1980's when you played a gig in Preston and I played a bit of Sor's "Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre" variations to you :)
This is an interpretation that makes me radically rethink/hear this piece. Paul Galbraith actually makes the guitar *sing*! In the middle, the D major section, I even thought that this was in fact a transcription for church organ, which would be very fitting to Bach. Yes, he takes it slowly. In fact, this is, I think, in the tradition of the pianist Sviatoslav Richter (major influence on Glen Gould, also known for his idiosyncratic tempi), whose very slow interpretations of Schubert's piano sonatas at first created consternation (until it was understood how this enabled the music to breathe) and also the violin interpretation of this chaconne by Hillary Hahn -- also slow, without the 'virtuoso' gloss to the piece. Many very wise things have been said below about this interpretation of Paul Galbraith, I agree with most of them. This is not 'guitar playing' any more, it is simply an interpretation that merits the attention of any instrumentalist at all (as was said below). The guitar has finally come of age ... Paul Galbraith. I love the anguished cry of the violin in this piece; but, in a sense, it is not the same piece. Musical-life-changing.
Fantastic comment. And Roberto's. Completely agree. I have listened to the Chaconne probably more than 1000 times in my life. I can spend entire days listening to different versions, on different instruments, and different transcriptions. I enjoy them all. It's never ending joy. The deepest piece of art of all time, can get lost for a century in it. What Brahms said about it and more. And this interpretation and performance by Paul Galbraith is the best I know of. I salute you Paul, you have achieved something as wonderful here as very few can ever hope for.
When decided that to hearing Bach in the guitar is ok Paul is one of the major players in this repertoire. Articulation and musical decisions are unpredictable and too beautiful. I loved the clarity and atmosphere according to the slow beat.
I think this is just simply beautiful. any interpretation like this that take you away on a voyage is perfect. speed has nothing to do with it, it's what transcends from it...
after listening to the bussoni transcrition hundreds of times and working on it myself during my formative years as a pianist this is something else !!! I feel ... can't put words to it - I understand a great deal more now - and I'm 60 and have known this work for over 40 years. the only other artist that has given me this impression is Viktoria Mullova
I could even hear his breath, a wonderful peace should be able to breathe. Although he plays more slowly than others, I could feel his sincerity in my deep heart.
VERY interesting take. My favorite performance of the piece is the John Feeley video here on TH-cam but this was certainly thought provoking. Really great. Will need to listen to it more to digest it.
Very refreshing to hear this at a slower pace, with attention to every note! Great performance. Had some goose bump moments in this! However, I personally don't prefer 8- string guitar but I like his use of the resonance box. I also was expecting more color tone. My Chaconne fav is Nicola Hall. She creates incredible moments of sublime wonder and her heart is her interpretation.
only 18 likes? absolute insult by all of humanity. this performance is the single greatest performance of the chaccone in existence. not one single violin player does it justice finishing within 15 minutes every fuckin time. paul knows this shit needs to be no less than 18 minutes. the middle section in d major makes me fuckin cry every time. mind blowing, complete absolution. one of the very few single greatest moments in music history. bach is the king, and not one single authentic version can do him any justice and get showed up by a transcribed version. every so called violinist should be ashamed of themselves. galbraith is the fuckin man.
Amen! Somehow, Galbraith plays Bach at slow or deliberate tempo, but in perfect rhythm. Bach's music is the heartbeat of life, and Galbraith hears this and expresses it beautifully.
My wife and I saw Paul many years ago. He is totally immersed when playing. On another level altogether. His interpretation is correct. Bach was a man of faith. This piece is NOT about technique or showmanship. This 2 CD set is priceless and stands as the go to transcription/ performance on the (6or 8 string) guitar. [Must add that the 2 CD set Lute Works on 10 string guitar by Stephan Schmidt from 2000 is also a superb transcription/ performance].
I went on a Chaconne jag a few years ago - listening to a LOT different performances on instruments as different as piano (Helene Grimaud) and lute (Miguel Rincon), and of course violinists. I prefer it on guitar, and have "toured" many guitarists. I love the way this interpretation opens up the music so fully with such momentum. In other moods, for more color I prefer Filomena Moretti's playing, and if you don't know her, check her out.
questa interpretazione non rientra nei miei canoni di bellezza. non ha spessore e non trasmette alcun brivido o piacere. fiacca e monotona non rende giustizia non solo alla composizione (tra le più grandi della storia della musica) ma anche al compositore. l'introduzione all'arpeggio e l'arpeggio stesso sono depresse in modo inaccettabile. naturalmente è solo la mia opinione
lorem ipsum Sure. Personally I've considered my favourite part from 6:41 to 8:46 (really slow). John Williams plays this same part in 1m 35s (24% less), so...
This is an interpretation on a totally different level: first, in his choice of a much slower tempo Galbraight highlghts the internal tensions (crescendos and diminuendos) in a totally organic fashion that creates a beginning-middle-end narrative. His use of dynamics is incredible (beyond any other guitarrists). I always thought (and still think) that Manuel Barrueco´s version of the Chaconne is one of the most musically convicing, but hearing this by Galbraight shows just how rich a piece the Chaconne is, and how many different ways it can be performed. From a musical point of view, the Chaconne represents the highest challenge; yes, there are technically challenging parts, but just pulling it off with dexterity is not enough (which is my view of Pepe Romero´s version, which doesn´t really do anything for me, and actually spoils it with his flamencoisms - the rapid scale passages he plays in such a way that reminds me nothing of what I conceive of the ideal sound for Bach). Galbraight´s instrument is also remarkable and beyond what the six-string is capable of doing (how plays complete Haydn and Mozart sonatas, Ravel, Debussy, Hindemith - notice how Galbraight effortlessly plays his transcriptions of great music and does not really play that much of the standard guitar repertoire). For me, the true revolution (practically Copernican-like) in the guitar has a name: Paul Galbraight. It´s almost like him making most others look like kids playing the guitar.
Exacto !
agreed
This is the most moving performance of this music I have heard in quite some time. Magnificent!
There are people who have never heard it, but there is no one who has heard it only once. This is the best performance created with just 8 strings
This is slowly becoming my favorite version of Chaconne. Aside from his impeccable technique and musicality, the instrument is a wonder itself - it just sounds, idk, fuller and more complete than any other guitar. The bass punches deep and the treble especially has a crystal clear quality that I've never heard before on a guitar. We need more Brahms guitar performances!
There is no single waste of note in his playing. Awesome.
he just makes love to each one
Beautiful, powerful, I love Paul's interpretation of this famous piece of music by Bach.
No words to describe how every EVERY single not feels right and soulfull. I can't find a better bach guitar player... thank you very much maestro Galbraith...
Thank you Maestro, you made this about Bach's music and not about a performers ego. Love those bass notes too! If you ever see this then thanks for your encouragement in the late 1980's when you played a gig in Preston and I played a bit of Sor's "Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre" variations to you :)
This is an interpretation that makes me radically rethink/hear this piece. Paul Galbraith actually makes the guitar *sing*! In the middle, the D major section, I even thought that this was in fact a transcription for church organ, which would be very fitting to Bach. Yes, he takes it slowly. In fact, this is, I think, in the tradition of the pianist Sviatoslav Richter (major influence on Glen Gould, also known for his idiosyncratic tempi), whose very slow interpretations of Schubert's piano sonatas at first created consternation (until it was understood how this enabled the music to breathe) and also the violin interpretation of this chaconne by Hillary Hahn -- also slow, without the 'virtuoso' gloss to the piece. Many very wise things have been said below about this interpretation of Paul Galbraith, I agree with most of them. This is not 'guitar playing' any more, it is simply an interpretation that merits the attention of any instrumentalist at all (as was said below). The guitar has finally come of age ... Paul Galbraith. I love the anguished cry of the violin in this piece; but, in a sense, it is not the same piece. Musical-life-changing.
The D major section is like heaven
Agreed. In Galbraith's hands this incomparable piece sings and also weeps. Indescribably beautiful.
Fantastic comment. And Roberto's. Completely agree. I have listened to the Chaconne probably more than 1000 times in my life. I can spend entire days listening to different versions, on different instruments, and different transcriptions. I enjoy them all. It's never ending joy. The deepest piece of art of all time, can get lost for a century in it. What Brahms said about it and more. And this interpretation and performance by Paul Galbraith is the best I know of. I salute you Paul, you have achieved something as wonderful here as very few can ever hope for.
When decided that to hearing Bach in the guitar is ok Paul is one of the major players in this repertoire. Articulation and musical decisions are unpredictable and too beautiful. I loved the clarity and atmosphere according to the slow beat.
Sublime, divine, the best performance that I have ever heard
Это великолепное исполнение сопоставимо с лучшими достижениями великих исполнителей - П. Казальса, Г. Гульда, с. Рихтера, и др.
I think this is just simply beautiful. any interpretation like this that take you away on a voyage is perfect. speed has nothing to do with it, it's what transcends from it...
He picked tempo and stuck with it. Didn't rush. I Love it!
whatever other people say, this is one of my favorite version
after listening to the bussoni transcrition hundreds of times and working on it myself during my formative years as a pianist this is something else !!! I feel ... can't put words to it - I understand a great deal more now - and I'm 60 and have known this work for over 40 years. the only other artist that has given me this impression is Viktoria Mullova
so clear - nice speed. Beautiful.
I could even hear his breath, a wonderful peace should be able to breathe. Although he plays more slowly than others, I could feel his sincerity in my deep heart.
(You hear his fingers sliding on the strings.)
Beautiful and majestic.
Just great music, done in a beautiful, thoughtful way. Thanx
nothing to say...I feel heaven
Fantastic and majestic
Cristalina musica y pulidisima digitacion , extraordinaria interpretacion! Fabuloso el instrumento!
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
👍👍👍👍👍
BELLISSIMO!!! ...
sounds like he's playing the harpe sometimes. amazing technique
VERY interesting take. My favorite performance of the piece is the John Feeley video here on TH-cam but this was certainly thought provoking. Really great. Will need to listen to it more to digest it.
Very refreshing to hear this at a slower pace, with attention to every note! Great performance. Had some goose bump moments in this! However, I personally don't prefer 8- string guitar but I like his use of the resonance box. I also was expecting more color tone. My Chaconne fav is Nicola Hall. She creates incredible moments of sublime wonder and her heart is her interpretation.
only 18 likes? absolute insult by all of humanity. this performance is the single greatest performance of the chaccone in existence. not one single violin player does it justice finishing within 15 minutes every fuckin time. paul knows this shit needs to be no less than 18 minutes. the middle section in d major makes me fuckin cry every time. mind blowing, complete absolution. one of the very few single greatest moments in music history. bach is the king, and not one single authentic version can do him any justice and get showed up by a transcribed version. every so called violinist should be ashamed of themselves. galbraith is the fuckin man.
Amen! Somehow, Galbraith plays Bach at slow or deliberate tempo, but in perfect rhythm. Bach's music is the heartbeat of life, and Galbraith hears this and expresses it beautifully.
My wife and I saw Paul many years ago. He is totally immersed when playing. On another level altogether. His interpretation is correct. Bach was a man of faith. This piece is NOT about technique or showmanship. This 2 CD set is priceless and stands as the go to transcription/ performance on the (6or 8 string) guitar. [Must add that the 2 CD set Lute Works on 10 string guitar by Stephan Schmidt from 2000 is also a superb transcription/ performance].
Bruh. Itzhak Perlman
Magnificent !
A refreshingly different take of the famous chaconne .
Sanctity. Finely cut.
Magnificent
Master for Barroqe music !!
Majestuoso!!! Fantastico!!!
I went on a Chaconne jag a few years ago - listening to a LOT different performances on instruments as different as piano (Helene Grimaud) and lute (Miguel Rincon), and of course violinists. I prefer it on guitar, and have "toured" many guitarists. I love the way this interpretation opens up the music so fully with such momentum. In other moods, for more color I prefer Filomena Moretti's playing, and if you don't know her, check her out.
Enseña o da clases?
No doubt Mr. Paul Galbraith plays the Chaconne very nice but I still prefer the rendition of Mr. Christopher Parkening Chaconne.
x1.25
If you can play it slowly, you can play it quickly
questa interpretazione non rientra nei miei canoni di bellezza. non ha spessore e non trasmette alcun brivido o piacere. fiacca e monotona non rende giustizia non solo alla composizione (tra le più grandi della storia della musica) ma anche al compositore. l'introduzione all'arpeggio e l'arpeggio stesso sono depresse in modo inaccettabile. naturalmente è solo la mia opinione
Nice, but too slow. Set the TH-cam playback to 1.25x to get a better tempo.
The Chaconne works well at various speeds or tempii ,there is no need to rush through it .
lorem ipsum You're right 1.25x is perfect
riccsin -- Yes. Listen for a minute at 1.25 speed, then switch back to normal speed and it sounds slow.
lorem ipsum Sure. Personally I've considered my favourite part from 6:41 to 8:46 (really slow). John Williams plays this same part in 1m 35s (24% less), so...
All Bach's works are great at various tempi. That's just a part of his magic.
Non c'è spessore musicale. Nessuna dinamica, niente fraseggio. Lentezza esasperante. Non c'è 'cavata' sullo strumento. Insomma, nessuna musicalità.
Too slow
luigi tamponi Nonsense
All too slow !!! 14 minute is the limit !!
Idiot! Here I am typing quickly, just for you to be able to read it. You can stop listening after 13.5 minutes.
Too slow