Joshua Bell performs Bach's Chaconne, the final movement from Violin Partita 2 in D minor 

Only someone, like myself, who has also conquered this mighty work, can truly appreciate the colossal effort, spiritual, mental and physical, that has gone into this performance, and, of course, from memory. As a student, I busked nightly in the 1950's in an arcade at the north end of Leicester Square, performing exclusively the 6 solo sonatas of Bach and the 2 concerti. Having invariably attracted a large, silent audience, and aware that the shop lights would extinguish at 11-o'clock, I invariably planned to perform the Chaconne in darkness. I made a FORTUNE! Not only did I finance my studies, but bought a house a year for 3 years. Writing in "Woman" magazine in 1958 Beverley Nicholls wrote "Bach spoke with the voice of God: Keith Ramsell is his young disciple". I find it strange that my experience of busking was so different from Bell's, since my own interpretation is in many ways similar to his own (I particularly approve of beginning the central major section quietly, entirely without vibrato). I think the main difference is, I put much less "interpretation" in the opening and final statements of the chord-"theme", and particularly the amazing long bariolage section, aiming at much more raw POWER. My favourite bar? The absolutely FILTHY discord at 12.19! Always gives me the shivers. At 88 I'm much too old now, but I would have LOVED to have met Bell and discussed interpretation with him. Strangely, although a successful University and College Professor, I've never succeeded in inspiring any of my highly successful students in mastering this mighty work. Once, at a University concert, the soloist was ill and didn't show up. I stepped from the leader's chair and, without preparation performed the Chaconne. I was asked: "How could you memorise all those notes?" My answer? "HOW COULD I FORGET!!!".

I don't usually comment on RU-vid videos, but I saw the amount of hate Bell was receiving, so I decided to share my opinions on the video. Yes, the space he is using is acoustically challenging and does not enable the sound of the violin to thrive, but, personally, I thought it was a very bold and unique decision to record it where he's at. Bell playing in a hall where the acoustics are poor reveals the true virtuosity in his playing, compared to a person playing in a church hall where the color changes are evenly blended and makes the music sound, frankly, better. In this video, I feel as if we gain the truest sense of Joshua Bell's violin playing. He's saying that he does not need an "Autotone" (in this sense, an open church hall) to sound as "good" as the next guy playing in an acoustically viable space, and that's something I completely admire. I never really grappled onto why Bell is so widely known, but now I know why.

I wouldn't just walk right past you in a crowded metro, sir. :)

Bell himself referred to this piece as “one of the greatest achievements of any man in history.”

So sublime. At 5:20 is almost sounds as if the instrument was vocalizing, sort of singing. This piece is probably one of the greatest accomplishments in music and is so perfect that it has loaned itself to other instruments, such as saxiphones, piano, organ but the violin is what it was written for and nothing brings out the emotion of the chaconne better, even when it is played in New York subway or in a room with poor acoustics. Josh does it like nobody else, you can see his passion. He once said that it was the single greatest accomplishment of man and Schumann said that if he had to try and write it he would probably have gone mad. I love Bach's music.

Mr. Bell, thank you for letting us listen... for free. Where I live, and in my circumstances, I'd have no other way to hear you. You're very generous, and obviously want everyone to love and appreciate music as you do, and are thinking of new flexible venues to bring people in.

I collect violins and I've had the good fortune to handle a lot of beautiful Italian made instruments. But the first time I heard a Stradivari being played in person, it was this very 1713 Stradivari ex Huberman, and it was Joshua Bell playing the same thing at the Seattle Symphony in Benaroya Hall. Believe me, nobody would have any issues with the acoustics there; it was magnificent. Such a joy to see a fine antique violin being played by a Maestro, and do what it was built to do: project to the folks in the back of the hall!

One of the most moving performances of Chaconne ! 🥰🥰🥰 Thank Joshua Bell ! 🌺🌺🌺

I agree with other commenters: the sound in this video does neither Joshua Bell, the chaconne, nor the strad here any service. All sound pretty rough. There's no question Bell can play this piece--there are other clips out there. I just wouldn't place much stock in this particular video.

Cette version n'est comparable à aucune, elle est une interprétation à part entière. Quand on écoute Joshua Bell, on sait pourquoi on aime la vie. On ressent un réel amour pour la musique quand il joue, c'est beau.

Magnificent, powerful, sublime, and authentic performance.

Love this performance. Joshua Bell is so articulate yet very laid back in his interpretation of this piece. Fantastic

I enjoyed listening to this raw sound, its closer to how my violin sounds in my kitchen, lol ~ I wish. Beautiful playing, My admiration to anyone who plays 'the Chaconne'!

Some people did not like the reverbless recording, however it gives you the chance to listen and enjoy the actual tone of the instrument; analogically like seeing the real beauty of a woman with no make up.

I like the intimacy of the small room sound. It may not be the most memorable recording, but it's one of VEARY few youtube videos of Chaconne played by a modern violinist not in the concert hall setting--which is what I expect to find on RU-vid. I really hope to see more from younger violinists uploading...so that I can see progression of how other violinists practice and master this difficult piece over time. I cherish some of old master class videos showing students playing Chaconne.

It's my first time hearing of this specific artist, or even just this song. But for some reason I cant explain it makes me feel emotional.

I listened to the 2 other violinists mentioned in posts as being so much better than Mr. Bell. I studied classical piano for some 15-20 years....so I have some musical education. I find Mr. Bell's interpretation the most authentic to the period of the composer, and therefore my favorite of the 3 renditions of this piece I have listened to tonight. I do not care for classical pieces that are overly romanticized when played. If you want romantic, pick a piece from THAT period and have at it!!!

4:35 That pretty much represents all i've felt during lockdown, having regret of past actions and some people getting away of my life.

As always with Joshua's performances... Spectacular. Looking forward to buying your latest CD with all the Bach pieces as well as the ASMF...

I like his emotion in interpreting this piece..

I like the way he dashes off the arpeggios just before the last line. Fire.

Bravo! An honest, heartfelt and courageous conception of the movement, no need to hide behind reverb when you bring so much to your work. Thank you Mr. Bell!

love this, used it for my music homework

Beyond focusing on technique and the original intention the composer wanted to give this piece, the most important thing is to play the violin with the soul. This is something that is hard to find in any violinist at this time, and that is definitely what makes Joshua Bell one of the best violinists (if not the best) of our times.

Joshua Bell has incredible passion for the violin His interpretation of the piece ,I feel is extraordinary. Segovia , played this piece as well with emotion and accuracy. This is a difficult piece that I struggle with , especially the arpeggios . I enjoy Joshua Bells playing and I personally find him flawless. There I said it,

Давно хотелось посмотреть Чакону в его исполнении в хорошем качестве! спасибо! Интересно :)

“If there is anyone who owes everything to Bach, it is certainly God.” Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran

Bravo Mr. Bell!

really appreciate the camera angle- great for students to see his fingerings!

Brilliant!!!

What a bunch of bags complaining on here.. Please post your own stellar rendition and direct us to it so we can partake in the brilliance.

very nice play. God Bless you always. Thank you. hope to see you one day.

Great violinist.

Bell is amazing ... I love this style, he plays with his soul, I love it

The way YOU play BACH with your STRAD makes one touch Heaven!!! Thanks!!!

Bravo!

Yo la siento muy bella interpretación, fuerte, dulce. Como decía Pablo Casals, al escuchar hay buscar la expresión principalmente.

Amazing

i often watch this rendition :)

The only problem with this recording is the lack of natural reverb. The playing is wonderful.

Gracias extraordinario!!

The lack of reverb makes the sound more intimate, particularly appropriate for this piece.

Such wonderful articulation. And by the way, the 'dead' acoustics* that people are complaining about only bring out the clarity in his playing. Bach can be played romantically or dryly (it's Bach; you can do almost anything with it and it still works), but Bell here brings out the ideas in the piece so clearly. Bravo! ____ * Listening further, I wonder if the sound has to do with the mic placement.

この肩の演奏は、魂を揺るがす。高音が特に美しい。とにかく気持ちいい。聖なるかな。聖なるかな。万軍の主…天使が見守っているみたいに、安心する演奏です。

Maravilloso

Mad respect for the obvious Arthur Grumiaux influences. Unsung hero right there...

Beauteous.

I really admire this performance. He played it in a small room. All of the sound you hear is him. There is no forgiving hall to hide mistakes and foibles.

Yes this is stunning! My favorite is the Chaconne. I was fortunate enough to have seen Joshua perform in Clearwater in March 2015, front and center! I feel very honored for having done so ♥ I know the violinist of which you speak ***** and that would be incredible, we have only been teased with a tiny bit of this beauty! Joshua Bell is also magnificent.

What's with this baroque thing? Nobody understood Bach when he was making his music, and nobody understands him now, I guess. His music (and this piece in particular) transcends any musical period or genre. It is and always was above anything humans have achieved. To classify this as baroque is an insult to existence, of which this piece is it's most colossal description. Listen to how great musicians got inspired by this music and marvel at the possibilities of interpretation. You simply can not do this to a "period piece". Chaconne is one of the greatest if not THE greatest achievement of human kind. As per the balls on Bell to play this in an acoustically dead environment - hats down awesome.

best violinist !!!

Som do violino totalmente limpo, sem arranhões, ou deslizes. #alunoviolinopower

Not really into this type of music, but he is very talented and I respect you wholeheartedly

I have a serious question for anyone who knows about music production and technology: in the year 2014, am I expecting too much when I ask that audio and video be in perfect sync? Can we put everything else on hold for like a week and perfect that?

that music is a story... thats my story

From a musical point of view this is by far the best rendition of this piece I have ever heard. The tempo is quite fast but it never drags or loses its character. The clarity of all the polyphony is fantastic. Each variation has its own identity. The complaints from viewers seem based on their expectations of a more standard approach. Personally, I prefer Mr. Bell's intelligence to a lot of grinding and sawing. Mr. Bell has asked the music questions and shares the answers with us.

Well, it's certainly interesting to hear a rendition without reverb, you don't hear that very often

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💕

Either the video and the audio is off or it's not home playing

As someone who already pass grade 8 abrsm if i hear this piece somewhere I’ll stop instanly and listen to this masterpiece

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Where can you get the music For chaconne

Fine

his violin is a famous Stradivarius.

Хорошо

Why ads?

As we say in Wales. Bloody Hell!

It was a bad idea to play this in an acoustically dead studio.

Mono for voice recording ?????

🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

A superb performance. I would have preferred a bit slower in places.

This might well be one of the hardest things to play in classical music period. Supreme skill is merely a requirement if you want to play what Bach meant.

tous les grands violonistes,hommes ou femmes.jouent la Chaconne comme un absolu et un défi .comme disait en son temps Jacques Thibaud à chacun sa chaconne. J'en possède environ QUARANTE-40-et chacune a son caractère..Kremer,Milstein,Mullova Hahn.Benedetti,etc,Ma préférence bien subjective va à James Ehnes...

For people who are complaining about the quality of the sound, the mike is too close.

He visto aquí en RU-vid a un violinista húngaro Cristof Baráti tocar en la gran sala del Conservatorio de Moscú tocar en el mismo concierto las tres sonatas y tres partitas para violín sólo de forma increíble. Joshua Bell a lo largo de su carrera ya hizo lo mismo? Porque esto me sabe a bien poco. Es un gran violinista nadie lo va a negar, pero que la entrada más barata para uno de sus conciertos cueste más de cien dólares me parece desorbitado!!! Si es el mejor violinista del mundo que lo demuestre en los PROMS:en un sólo concierto las tres sonatas y tres partitas para violín sólo de J.S. Bach y que no cobre tanto, por favor.

This piece always gives me anxiety. Like I’m watching a thriller. Forced to sit at the edge of my seat.

This piece fits so perfectly on guitar, it’s as if Bach wrote a violin version as an afterthought.

Don't judge the sound harshly in a totally dead acoustic people! Excellent playing, considering.

the work is beyond his understanding

9:40

I keep comparing every performance of Chaconne I hear to Hillary Hahn's. For me, hers is incomparable.

ジョシュアさんだけで、何も伴奏がないのがなんだか一番よく聞こえる。ほんとにソロだけの曲集めて聴きたいです。今日は１日中聴いていました。アルファー波だ。

조슈아벨 지하철연주가 생각나군요. 우리에 대가 조슈아벨

No qué pasa con los violinistas actuales, no qué es lo que les enseñan en esas universidades. La chacona es una danza española e italiana muy antigua, se acostumbraba a tocar de una forma muy lenta para expresar el dolor, y no de la forma que lo están haciendo todos los violinistas contemporaneos, si Bach escuchara esto probablemente se le pararía la peluca, lo mismo hace Hilary Hanh. Por favor eschuchen al maestro Szering.

He plays this fast because he's got a metro bus to catch

Why live at all?

is it a strad ?

#alunaviolinopower

Well done Joshua. Keep improving!

He plays better than me...so I guess he's got that going for him...which is nice...

N. Tufnel is right. The saddest of all the keys

Check out Nemanja Radulovic! Bell seems to be struggling big time - Nemanja is phenomenal - plays with such joy, ease, so musically and brilliantly - he is definitely ONE with the violin!

ブラボー！！、私自身は、セゴビアの1959年のギター独奏が亦格別と思ってますが。

Джошуа- феноменальный музыкант,фантастический!!! но,может быть,в этом исполнении Чаконы немножко многовато эмоциональности,лиризма?перепереживал?

unadulterated purity ❤

I think this performance is good for: -the acoustic where he is, is terrible, and still yet the dinamics sounds well, some parts had mistakes, but who cares?, we are humans, the music doesnt have to be perfect, the point of music is show the human emotions, and with that, the nature of human beings Just my opinion

musique belle emporte dans les lieux magiques . écoutez tout simplement la beauté du son du violon . pour moi joshua est le meilleur performance incomparable . j adore le jeu de l archet sur les cordes . merci joshua j espère vous revoir a hongkong bon partage

Joshua bell ....melodrama..style..

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Itzhak rocks!!!!