Bach Chaconne in D minor for 2 cellos

Hillary Smith, cello
Christopher Ahn, cello
arr. Claudio Jaffe and Johanne Perron
Audio & Video: Louis Ng, Lenson Productions
Recorded at Powell Library Rotunda, UCLA

[@cellokid5104]

Ever noticed how the cello is the best instrument?

[@MattH-wg7ou]

It almost always is!

[@nimbunimbu]

As a violinist i agree

[@randallbanks1589]

My mother played violin for numerous symphonies around the world and I agree with her that the Cello is the best.

[@omeleteazulproducoes8196]

@@bf699 I thought the trombone was the nearest to the human voice, I always heard people say that...

[@xavierviolin]

Ever noticed that there is more than just one instrument? Well there’s a reason why.

[@MattH-wg7ou]

Oh my God, this has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever.

[@bengunn99]

It is generally accepted that it is.

[@tobirocha]

And one of Bach's own favourites!

[@JWentu]

it definitely is. From my experience, once it enters your life, it stays with you forever. And you can have a wonderful time looking for the millions of arrangements there are for whatever instrument (Orchestra, piano, marimba, accordion, brass quartet... you name it)

[@lianvan296]

You prolly dont care at all but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot the password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!

[@anakinjulio2003]

@Lian Van instablaster :)

[@muserik]

Claudio and Johanne (the arrangers) are old friends of mine. Way back in the early nineties, James Darling (a fine cellist himself) and I stopped by their place in Boca Raton without announcing ourselves. We opened a bottle of wine and had a good meal. Afterwards, they each took their cello and played that for us. Vivid memories!

[@andretim75]

next time I come by at Boca-Raton I will also invite myself for a good bottle of wine and a meal and nice concert. -- really thanks for the advice 🤣

[@madiem4912]

How any human with a beating heart in their chest and an intact soul give this a thumbs down is beyond all practical reasoning...sad!

[@johnblack912]

Ridicolous and senseless comment

[@bills48321]

You had me at the first chord. What rich harmonies and huge tone! I can hear it as a duet now with call and response, something that I never noticed before.

[@markhpluygers2226]

That's Bach!

[@edoardosaccenti4829]

This is one of the greatness of Bach's music: it is so absolute and perfect that it is basically disconnected from the instrument it has been written for. You play it on a different instrument and a new world open up.

[@federicofranceschini1783]

this "platform independence" is not correlated with beauty in my opinion: kodaly cello sonata is also wonderful, but it would be strange (or unplayable) in any other instrument

[@moonoggin]

I totally agree.

[@YodoJakamodo]

@@federicofranceschini1783 Different kinds of "beauty". The structural security of Bach's music that renders it independent on what specific instrument it is performed on, to me and many others I suppose, "beautiful" in itself!

[@kingsgambit]

I disagree. This really lives from the vibrating sonorous warm sounds of strings and the reverb. Imagine on a high flute or a trumpet.

[@YodoJakamodo]

@@kingsgambitHave you heard the beautiful transcriptions for piano, like the very Bachian one by Brahms? I like that just as much as the "string" versions of the Chaconne. Also, what are you actually disagreeing with?

[@dweeb99]

Of all the beauty there is in the world, this particular performance of Bach's Chaconne is among the most sublime. I hope these two superlative musicians are doing well and making music at this level, now and for years to come. Thank you for posting this.

[@sleeptite88]

How beautiful this is. And how wise to divide this into two instruments (originally written for a single violin). Using two cellos, the piece is so much smoother, dramatically more elegant, and has none of the "chopiness" of the solo violin arrangement. The only thing that can compare is the organ arrangement. Yet that, although excellent, does not give me the emotional tonality that only the cello can provide. Truly a beautiful performance. Thank you!

[@andreaflorit114]

The solo violin version is not an arrangement. It is the original Bach's version. Perhaps you should listen to a baroque violin version of this Chaconne, instead of this "2 cello machine".

[@s.l5787]

@@andreaflorit114 He does state "originally written for a single violin" so he already knows it is the original. I agree you cannot grasp the polyphony with the constant double stops on the violin. The piece is abstract, not meant to be perfectly playable on a single instrument. Each break in the double stop releases the harmonic tension Bach brings to the music. This is where a keyboard like the organ surpasses the violin. Of course, there are pros and cons.

[@markteague8889]

Of course, the cello is a beautiful instrument. It is; perhaps, among the stringed instruments most similar to the human voice in range and and tonality. Bach’s Chaconne movement; however, is more faithfully (to the composer’s intent) rendered on the piano. The slurring of the bow technique in this rendition loses some of the madness that must surely been what Bach experiences in the wake of his first wife’s death. Personally, I find Ms. Helene Grimaud’s performance of the Busoni transcription for piano to be the most powerful and communicative.

[@bendmymind]

ANDREA FLORIT This two cello “machine” sounded beautiful.

[@dariusgoh5314]

i personally think the chopiness makes it more emotional. this version is too clean. it has no grief. it has the sadness of grief, but not the anger.

[@kennymccormic7578]

Just wow! I am a violinist, and I think no violin performance of this piece can come even close to this one. Congratulations! Truly beautiful!

[@markhpluygers2226]

Don't do your self down, many a fine tune on the Violin. Brahms comes to mind. Cello is well suited to Bach.

[@fabianlubbe292]

I come back to this almost every second day. It's just too good.

[@yuriydashkov7434]

Bach + cello + cello = fantstika !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bravo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bontsha]

How is this even possible? You've taken an already sublime work for violin and elevated it even further. Bravissimo to the performers and arrangers. I am in heaven. Also the backhand flip of the left hand she does at 10:28 is cool.

[@tetrazonic]

I hope all the A.I.'s we have let loose experience this before deciding we are not useful in the future.

[@davidwatermeyer5421]

I think on the same lines. %&# the A.I.s !

[@michaelomalley2022]

Superb. In my humble opinion one of the best versions of this piece I’ve come across on KZbin.

[@stavroulagougeta5627]

I completely agree with you !

[@peterwatson149]

First time I've heard this arrangement. I love the original but am choking back the tears with this version

[@peterrudolfi]

Hillary Smith-a perfect demonstration of "effortless power" rather than "powerless effort".

[@FelixGallo]

still the most shockingly beautiful rendition on the internet. Thank you all and hope you're well, 6 years on.

[@ericdavid7020]

From France, greats thanks to the authors of this transcription I have bought thru a US website for about 10 USD. Adult cellist for 9 years, aged 53, weekly courses with a cello teatcher in the Public Music School of Saint Jean de Maurienne (Savoie-French Alps). The olny work for finding the left hand positions is a real fun ! At least 2 good monthes of daily word to fillfull the minimum level to pass the "triples croches" at the initial tempo. But, once worked, this piece is so obvious. When playing in auditorium, it sounds, and the polyphonics harmonies make nearly crying !

[@ghislainelamora2257]

Wonderfull

[@RebeccaWarnes]

Hi Eric, I wonder if you could tell me the website where you found the music? I really want to play this with a friend at university! :)

[@jonathantosiocello]

@@RebeccaWarnes I think it's this? Good luck :) www.natashajaffe.com/store/p5/Chaconne_for_Two_Cellos_(PDF).html

[@AlMa4859]

Eric, so... you have the fingering ! I have been working on this for a few weeks. Difficult to find the right fingering. I get the impression of reinventing it over and over... and yet Hillary Smith seems to plough through it with so much ease... Would you mind sharing the fingering ?

[@theokatcha6026]

I love Bach's Chaconne so much. This arrangement, with your beautiful cello sound, makes it even better than the original. Thank you!

[@dweeb99]

Had to listen to this today, September 11th; this work of unfathomable sorrow and beauty. Bach's musical thinking is abstract but always springs directly from his heart. This is such an inspired performance.

[@immafreak]

How does this not have more views

[@michaelwu7678]

Amazing performance. The cellos definitely add a richer sound. However, the loneliness and tragedy expressed by the single violin can’t be matched.

[@davehshs651]

@Michael Wu Quite right, but if loneliness and tragedy are a bit much for you at the moment and you would rather experience profound beauty, then this is the version you want.

[@makinoahcelloduo9008]

Michael Wu One violin versus two cellos? No contest! We win, easily!

[@VIM365]

makinoah cello duo k sure

[@rajbapte1093]

The most musical version of the chaconne. The best of all transcriptions, beautifully played. Wow.

As a cellist each passage and note is very beautiful, interpretation as soft as a silk fabric, perfect arrangement, just perfect 🥹

[@lounakin]

I want to speak to the 7 people who disliked this... I'm curious as to what killed their ability to hear beauty!

[@brian106699]

My mother would have absolutely loved this. I am listening in tears. How amazing is this performance of this stunning piece? Geez, c’mon you two. For real? Wow.

[@nimbunimbu]

The more I see these beautiful interpretations with multiple intrusments the more amazing it is to think that all the melodies were intended to be captured on a single violin

[@yuriydashkov7434]

Bravissimo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hans-peterbestehorn6304]

Grossartig gesetzt, hervorragend gespielt, enorme Glücksgefühle ! Dr. Hans - Peter Bestehorn, Bad Krozingen, Deutschland

[@jonathantosiocello]

I had chills. Thank you!!

[@GossJenn]

You two are quite wonderful! Thank you so much for your beautiful, thoughtful work, and for posting this!

[@ceciliatsan1482]

Just magnificent! Congratulations to both of you!

[@TheAtheist22]

This is already Olympian beauty for the violin. The cellos make it even more Divine…. Thank you for uploading this.

[@davidnefesh]

Christopher and Hilary, thank you so much for sharing this powerful, heart-opening performance. Blessings from Detroit, Michigan!

[@ginaveda1782]

Bravo! Magnificent!

[@rodrigogalliano4609]

So beautiful!

[@PhillipROGreen]

This is truly wonderful playing! Bravo to you both.

[@jenueljenuel4951]

Soooo Beautiful!!!

[@jorisArt]

So beautifully, and a wonderful arrangement!

[@yukaviguier9396]

Excellente performance! Bravo!

[@vivaldesque]

Sublime composition. Beautiful arrangement. Magnificent playing!

[@libelulavesela4501]

Beautiful! :) Many thanks!

[@melissaraven3164]

This is so very beautiful!

[@buergidunitz2775]

The first arpeggio section is especially beautiful with the back and forth trading of the melodic line and arpeggiated chords. I was initially skeptical that having two instruments would be beneficial but the beautiful execution has convinced me otherwise.

[@cellosong]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@fanti47]

Wonderful sound.. great playing!

[@paxxap9654]

That's my favorite piece and this is now my favorite version. Thanks for this moment !

[@mnadezhdaglushko6255]

Fantastic! This piece never actually spoke to me untill now, thank you for the great performance!

[@giovannineri8932]

Possibly the best performance of the two cellos chaconne. Compliments!

[@nathanbrimm2565]

Beautiful!! An absolutely stunning performance! Closed my eyes, ..and for a time, the music carried me.. away So VERY well done!!

[@XrayCellist]

Thank you for this wonderful video, I can't stop watching, it is heavenly

[@mariaclaraurrea3889]

Qué hermosura! Gracias! ❤

[@gillestemprement2060]

Contrairement aux autres interprétations au violoncelle..Cette chaconne jouée à deux violoncelles est toute en douceur..Cela me fait penser au concerto pour deux violoncelles de Schubert..On passe du baroque de Bach au romantisme de Schubert.Le jeu des archets est fluide et l'attaque sur la corde est douce...Bravo

[@carlosevans4023]

brilliantly performed. what a beautiful masterpiece.

[@stephanieaurelia5454]

cant tell how many times i’ve listened to this

[@astrid8868]

Wunderschön, vielen Dank für diese tolle Darbietung 🥰🎻🙏

[@adagio2915]

Wonderful performance, thank you❣️Cellos add so much warmth and depth. And to be spared from applause after this sublime oasis is another miracle❣️

[@nathanrock9269]

Amazing playing!!

[@zoejaneflamingo7571]

Wow. That was one of the lovliest things I've ever heard! Never heard it on 2 'cellos before but it works really well. You both sound great together!

[@JeanClaudeWelche]

Super intéressant ! Et super cadre pour la vidéo...

[@didiernyckelharpa]

wonderful! great interpretation congratulations!

[@viniciusgonzaga7725]

😮Perfeito de mais 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@birdbyod9372]

Ty, I enjoyed your playing.

[@gunnarbjorck929]

Oh my god!!!!!! Thank you so much!!! That is the BEST i ever heard!!!! I love you!!! !!!!

[@jimfanlair6159]

Astonishing performance and the superb natural sound and reverb, WOW!!!

[@annehartford]

So lovely. A spiritual experience.

[@BobSchoepenjr]

I was searching this. A while ago when I was driving my car listening to this masterpiece on Klara classic radio in Belgium. I cried. Thank you.

[@theguitarsofmatthewgrasso]

Bravo! Great performance, transcription, and video production. Very touching.

[@joseolivera-cm8io]

maravilloso of boths of you

[@mismatmom]

Two cellos give a little different emotional response than the single violin. Great interpretation.

[@makinoahcelloduo9008]

Two cellos!

[@heekyungkim8147]

I love this piece so much….

[@mahirvora9331]

this is the best piece I have heard in a long time

[@davem3059]

Absolutely amazing, and played to perfection. Throughly your performance 👏 👏

[@rasohatskiy_andriy.]

Excellent!!!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@mikerusli9660]

Great performance! Bravo. The arrangement is great as well.

[@crediama]

Lodo il Signore per aver donato a Bach la capacità di concepire un tale monumento musicale e per voi che lo avete saputo così bene interpretare.

[@danielvent3927]

Very nice, thanks!

[@TELALITcellistandsinger]

Great job you guys! I enjoyed :)

[@davidchan7531]

This is really great. Thank you. First time I sight read this, even with my mistakes, my reaction was what just happened? I was taken aback and amazed. That’s how brilliant and powerful this piece is.

[@saemheo4955]

My favorite coupleeeee❣️🥰👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@victorlawrencecello]

Too good! ❤️❤️👏👏

[@nishi-tjohns6792]

I have just got goosebumps just watching their performance…🥰👏👏👏

[@makinoahcelloduo9008]

Very beautiful performance. We should try to add this to our repertoire.

[@judithwhitehouse2149]

It works, whatever you play it on, and however many performers there are - JSB knew what he was doing...

[@moonoggin]

You two create something new in this song. Finally!!! I always love in perfect tonal surprises that are perfectly played in tune. I will use this for morning prayers and let my grandchildren hear it. Some of the composers really were in tune to God and it shows. My favorite instrument. I never tire of hearing two played. Both of my sons are cellists. My home always had beautiful music flowing thru it when they were lads growing up.

[@derynwarren6011]

Brilliant. Lovely. Such talent and musicality.

[@hillarysmith4725]

Deryn Warren thank you!

[@franckmousset4022]

Stupendo !!!

[@carolynwheeler8475]

Yes the cello is the best especially for this Bach. And this rendition is remarkably beautiful.

[@Deniscorjon74]

Many thanks Hillary and Christopher for this lovely moment spent in your company. Your execution is perfect. The audio and video support underlines your performance. The venue is simply exceptional. I am right now working on this chaconne on the violin. I heard it also on the piano. The cello version is marvelous. Maybe would it worth trying also with a duet, violin and cello, or with a piano trio ?

[@christianbrodiez5287]

Que cette chaconne de Bach est belle avec les deux violoncelles dans cette transcription ! combien ce compositeur est génial et souvent bouleversant ...

[@soaressimoes]

Wonderful!

[@HelenaWilliams8696]

The cellists present a sublime passage reflecting Bach's sombre spirit, their elasticity and marvellous technique is refined, precise and with magisterial sound. The cello has a unique sonorous and serene melody, definitely, one can appreciate the excellence of emotional balance as well a spiritual feeling of sadness. Outstanding performance...of majestic tenderness.

[@samuelsaladino4894]

Very nice... The instruments, are in a perfect harmony!!!!

[@kimkingdom2579]

Amazing harmony！！Yes!!

[@ninawilluhn4687]

You play it fantastic and tell the story in a nearly romantic spirit.

[@peapodesque]

Absolutely perfect, I just played it yesterday on viola which is painful so nice not to have. it played in such a tasteful way , bravo for arrangement, ( grammy winner)

[@JaxonBurn]

Phenomenal arrangement and a very convincing interpretation. Elegant is the word that most comes to mind. Of course, all of Bach’s music is elegant, but this performance highlighted that aspect of this piece in a way I hadn’t truly appreciated before. Bravo.

[@CelloPwr]

You both sound wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to more!

[@hillarysmith4725]

CelloPwr thank you!

[@moonmanmoonman5516]

I'm still waiting for more... : (

[@romanonishchenko4789]

Спасибо Hillary и Christopher за это исполнение. Вы мастера виолончельной игры 💐💐👏👏

[@vladimirastrelin1719]

Amazing....

[@johnkoo4854]

amazing!