Bach: Chaconne from the Partita for Violin No. 2 | Viktoria Mullova

It’s regarded as the work in which the full depth and magic of Johann Sebastian Bach can be found: the Ciaccona; fifth and final movement of the Partita in D minor for solo violin, BWV 1004. Here Bach's chaconne is played by violinist Viktoria Mullova at a 1999 concert in the Nikolaikirche, Leipzig.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) composed the Partita No. 2 in Köthen, 1720. He had returned home after a long period of official travel to learn that his wife had passed away during his absence - and had already been buried. Research disputes whether his second partita, and in particular its fifth movement - the Ciaccona - is a testament to Bach's personal grief. Regardless, the Ciaccona occupies a special position within Partita No. 2: It’s longer than the previous four movements combined, thus disrupting the balance of the suite.
In purely formal terms, the Ciaccona also plays against type. It is based on a sombre figure in the bass voice - repeated a total of 32 times, as if circling about itself - while the melody moves freely across just as many variations. Bach’s take on the chaconne - traditionally a rather cheerful dance in a major key - is a complex set of variations beginning in D minor, shifting into major for ten variations at its heart, before switching back into minor.
Renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin has said of Bach's Ciaccona that it is the greatest form in existence for solo violin. From a technical standpoint, the Ciaccona is one of the most difficult pieces in the violin oeuvre. The profound, virtuoso piece was disregarded for a long time before being rediscovered, as it were, by Robert Schumann, who furnished it with piano accompaniment. Since then, Bach's Ciaccona has been transcribed for numerous instruments.
This performance took place at a commemorative concert held on October 9, 1999 - exactly ten years after the ‘Monday Demonstration’. On October 9, 1989, some 70,000 citizens overcame their fear of the authoritarian regime to demonstrate for freedom and more democracy in Leipzig - the second largest city of former East Germany. The peaceful, large-scale demonstration is considered a key historical moment which, in combination with other events, led to the fall of the Wall one month later, on November 9, 1989.
© EuroArts Music International
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[@wildfeather]

Bravo! I love her rendition. I think Ms. Mullova understands the Ciaccona and plays in a natural and relaxed manner, nothing forced.

[@JustFiddler]

i think so

[@Musicrafter12]

I've never heard better on a modern instrument - she adds to impeccable dynamic control, strict timekeeping and intelligent phrasing a welcomely light touch which almost approximates a Baroque violin while still clearly coming from a modern violin. Brava!

[@trentsmith5184]

Lovely, honest rendition. The most stunning thing about this video is the complete lack of audience coughing, though. Probably the greatest miracle this church has ever seen.

[@davidgonzalez368]

On a single staff, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and the most powerful feelings...

[@philipsmith1990]

You should have provided the attribution of that quote. It comes from a letter by Johannes Brahms to Clara Schumann.

[@HarryVerey]

Sublime -her playing is smooth as honey not a a squeak or a squawk. Fantastic production, audio sound and videography .

[@DWClassicalMusic]

We're glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and listening!😊

[@Poreckylife]

I heard a squawk!

[@0120Achilles]

It is a chaconne oozing with personality. I was mesmerized by its light but rich tune.

[@09renovator]

Sublime. Outstanding, because Ms. Mullova played exactly what Bach wrote , in time and with such skill that all the notes are audible, with a beautiful light tone. Sounds simple, but as all of us who have ever tried to play this know, it is extremely difficult . The end result was so peaceful that the video shows members of the audience totally absorbed, drinking it in. Bravo indeed.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

We're glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to follow us in order to not miss out in the future 😊

[@Musician74]

It's been 20 years since I've heard her Chaconne. Along with Gidon Kramer's Chaconne, I personally think it's one of the best chaconnes, and I'm so glad I found a new video today with the best sound quality. thank you so much!!!!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

We are glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@lucianovacanti7112]

you can listen to many great renditions of this absolute masterpiece. mullova's one is the best.

[@FlexingClassicalMusic]

Classical Music's Profound Impact. 🎹✨ Whether it's the precision of a concerto or the emotive power of an opera, classical music provides a refuge for the soul, offering solace and inspiration.

[@kbtaekwondo5274]

Es la violinista mas afinada que he escuchado en toda mi vida.

[@岩尾俊二]

What a beautiful music! She always play Bach perfectly!

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und tiefempfundene Aufführung dieses ewigen und perfekt komponierten Meisterwerks im veränderlichen Tempo mit seidigem doch gut phrasiertem Ton der technisch perfekten Solovioline und mit perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Die Resonanz ist auch ideal. Faszinierend vom Anfang bis zum Ende!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Danke für diesen wunderbaren Kommentar!

[@gabitott]

Maravillosa. Sonidos dulces en una gran técnica. Y un entorno bello.

[@say2577]

Mesmerizing

[@tamararomanovskaya8499]

Замечательное исполнение произведения Гениального композитора да еще в таком прекрасном Соборе.Браво!!!

[@jaynewilliams2696]

My favourite violinist. She plays Bach where every note pure.

[@Mozart1791]

Gracias DW por compartir con nosotros el lenguaje de los Dioses, cortesía de J.S. Bach. Excelente V. Mullova.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

¡Muchas gracias!☺️

[@ashencooray]

Audience are in the heaven ❤️ Fantastic sound ❤️

[@ГузельНурулина]

Браво!!! Виктория❤

[@mariadelcarmeamat3264]

Impresionante , una Maravilla !!!

[@DanielMasmanian]

Utterly marvelous. Thank you for posting it.

[@EskoLintula]

Wonderful, brings my mind her playing in Helsiki a very long time ago.

[@franciscoespinozagamboa6490]

Brava Viktoria, como siempre

Además del extraordinario mérito artístico una excelente producción de imagen y sonido. Belleza pura.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

¡Muchas gracias!

[@lenanielsen5903]

Very beautiful

[@caracal1066]

아름답습니다~👏👏👏💜🫂🦋

[@SilvioNobre]

Perfeição! Uma técnica exuberante, marcante. ❤️

[@danielhernandezperez4269]

Perfección , bravo !

[@franciscocrosaslopez8709]

Nítida, cristalina interpretación.

[@steveegallo3384]

Buen dicho, distinguidisimo letrado.....Saludos desde Pompano Beach!

[@SERGIOJUAREZ_CF]

Gracias. Hoy esto es un regalo invaluable para mi.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

¡Que lo disfrutes! 😊

[@allemande_]

Brilliant! Bravo! 🎻💎✨🤍

[@trijezdci4588]

Still the best rendition of the Chaconne. No gimmicks, just the music. Bach didn't do gimmicks, just the music.

[@hyunchpark]

One of best chaconne on modern instrument!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

We're glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to follow us for the latest uploads.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

GLORIOUS💘💝💖💗💓💞💕❣❤

[@gijsschubert7901]

From 4:28 until 6:00 is sooo beautiful!

[@scottnaylor2863]

Exquisite!

[@AI-zv8qz]

Lovely!

[@guitzanin]

Thanks!

[@dryb0w]

I put this on and my cat started purring I’m amazed

[@Hussain_Eidani]

Beautiful ❤

[@dubcekmiroslav1496]

Wonderful

[@jaynewilliams2696]

I will keep practicing.

[@riccardoleone9661]

Viktoria, J❤you.

[@russellbaston1223]

Exquisite.

[@husseinab1110]

اداء رائع! هدوء و جمال!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@niccoloberguglia9031]

Good!

[@ViolinoeTradicao]

Pretty good

[@violinhunter2]

She knows she did very well. After Ivry Gitlis, this is my favorite rendition - so natural and free of affectation. A minor mistake at 10:05 but, who cares?

[@Tiago-ss5pk]

Bravo! Glory of God

[@PeterChen-r1p]

Mullova 演奏巴哈夏康舞曲抑楊頓挫益增旋律之美，是最好的。

[@JustFiddler]

aku suka ! matur suksma

[@M_m.aang.uxz.1902]

יוצאת דופן экстраординарный

[@joefagan9335]

Vika beautiful 💝

[@brahimd8683]

❤🎼❤

[@Th3Alfisti]

Love the chaccone, but there is no better transcription then for the guitar ❤️😍

[@roylin3490]

guitar? you serious bruh?

[@billhatcher9303]

@@roylin3490 much more natural and certainly less jerky than on the violin. When segovia played it back in the day, it legitimized the guitar as a serious instrument. That would not have happened if it were realized how great this piece sounds on guitar. Remember....in bachs day you played music with and on whatever was at your disposal. Having pontificated all that, I sure enjoyed this rendering.

[@roylin3490]

@@billhatcher9303 No, the piece IS for solo violin. And personally i think it sounds way better on the violin cuz those chords are meant to be played on a violin. I know you gitarists need more love but this is not the piece.

[@billhatcher9303]

@@roylin3490 oh really? Solo violin Bwv 1001 has a fugue in it. Your assumption is that ALL of the solo violin pieces are for violin and sound best on such. Then why did Bach himself take the fugue from 1001 and arrange it for organ? And what about the sinfonia from cantata 29? It is also a violin solo piece. There are other instances where Bach transcribed his own music to be played by other instruments in different settings. That’s one of the reasons bachs music is so universal. You can play it on any instrument and it is never diminished.

[@59102225893]

👏👏👏

[@gauriblomeyer1835]

I wish more emotions. Mendelson remarked that this piece nobody can technically master and the interpretation as well. There is deep sadness, silent hope and gratefulness to our Divine. So Milstein, Heifetz and Perlman tried their best.

[@wcjos5516]

I think there is much emotion in it. And for me it is best. Victorias playing is very disziplinned. She consequently keeps a breathing metrum. Emotion is there but it is sublime. I think it is a Bach appropiate interpretation. How would master Bach judge?

[@mysticmouse7261]

Bach channels the singing of Cherubim.

[@alienspace7903]

Хм... Моя мама была учителем истории в средней школе, в которой училась Вика. Хорошо помнила её.

[@attiliodalcavaliere999]

🇮🇹❤️🌹👏👍

[@fangyili8214]

2:31

[@octavicarlos4002]

Ioga para Cuzlell iespalda

[@vladislavryabokon8548]

Железная мадмуазель.😢

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@papagen00]

I prefer Handel to Bach but this is nice.

[@paules3437]

You'd think they might give her a more visually appealing place to play in. I don't mean the church; I mean why should she be playing surrounded by all that left over detritus from the concert. Seems kind rude. Who knows why one interpretation appeals to a person more than another? I heard Hilary Hahn play this live some years back and was utterly transfixed. Her recording remains to me the pinnacle. She has a real affinity for Bach.

[@Janaceks_Dad]

It may seem like sacrilege to say this, but I much prefer to hear (and play) the Chaccone in Busoni’s great piano transcription than on the violin…but most recordings mike the violin up too close, giving this piece that awful “scratchy” sound found on so many badly engineered violin recordings. This beautiful recording and performance is an exception to that.