Bach-Liszt - The Great Fugue in G minor BWV 542

[@SlateFx]

Bach's fugues really are the greatest thing on God's green earth.

[@shsturz]

Amen.

[@andywomack3414]

There is a reason this is called the Great Fugue.

[@TheZeldaCinema]

@@andywomack3414 yea, because it's big, not because he thought it was an awesome fugue

[@andywomack3414]

@@TheZeldaCinema It's called "Great" g minor fugue because it has a prelude, as distinguished from the "little" g minor fugue which does not.

[@leonhardeuler6811]

@@andywomack3414 This is one of bach's less complex fugues. Try the art of fugue (the latter half variations)

[@Lamerbuca]

Incredibly pure and rich sound for an upright piano. Can't believe how nice it sounds.

[@SpitzPrincipal4]

The Yamaha U1 upright piano's were some of the best of the best and still are a coveted piano. They were built in the 80's. Indeed one of my favorites.

[@mous3y490]

yeah i rented a u1 for years before i got a steinway. there was something about that upright whenever i played baroque. i kinda miss it.

[@Roescoe]

This barely counts as an upright hah. Look at that massive height. Yeah it sounds good.

[@esverivaldo]

never never never never watch someone play this piece like him the best interpretation ever

[@mark-eliasfuentes5043]

Cyprien Katsaris's version is much better

[@ericastier1646]

Listen to this guy's version and prepare to be catapulted into a different universe. I positioned it at the fugue, as the fantasy that precedes it, is not so interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3u4pGmdh8tgd9E

[@rlunger1]

YES...."STUNNING FUGUE" I could watch and listen to your performance over and over thousands of times (Thankyou BACH TOO!)

[@piotrnycz-wasilec6628]

Schön, daß es talentierte Menschen gibt, die Bach zu interpretieren wissen🙂👍🎹🎶

[@paulpage1265]

Just beautiful in every way possible. The fugue itself is one of Bach’s finest and the performance is sensitive in terms of intelligent and musical dynamics as well as impeccable playing. And I agree with another commenter here: do all you can to NOT be the next Glenn Gould. You are already a star in your own right...and you seem to play simply for the joy of it. How very refreshing. Bravo. (The upright piano: superb choice to display this work.)

[@amgemin]

This is no amateur. Among the best in KZbin in my opinion, congratulations! The upright piano is an interesting and rare take, because it takes away some dynamic, which makes it better for Bach, but worse for Liszt in my opinion. So the beginning sounds really great, better than a grand piano, only in the end bars the lack of dynamic is a bit strident (5:00).

[@ernietollar407]

Really nice commen amgemin. Im a fan of different pianos - for different reasons in any contexts.. one might argue that at (5:00) the sound saturating a bit - with lots of overtones is a great device for the climax), but in any case your point is made very well.. And I love this performance/interpretation... I love how he lets it play itself. The emotion comes across as mature and sincere.

[@ericastier1646]

No amateur, but he plays like an amateur. His left hand is completely lacking tone, and only trots along, there is no polyphonic treatment of the voices at all, he plays and learned this like computers read code from perforations inside rolls of paper in the 1970's. This could be an advanced pianist but it's not a professional performance.

[@思えば遠くに]

So nice. Your love for BWV542 comes straight to my heart.

[@Sim882]

This is my favourite version of this fugue - amazing. I hope you become a star!

[@edin201x]

Excellent, at the right tempo, without exaggerations, all notes crystal clear, expressing the right feeling. Well done :)

[@jamesgregoric5786]

Just a marvelous performance! And a really fine, no-nonsense interpretation. Well done Ben!

[@wfbane]

I keep watching this with joy and disbelief. I can’t praise it enough.

[@bernhardbatscheletbatschel8254]

There's of course no "wonderful Lisztian Romanticism" in this transcription :-) Both the music and especially the interpretation is artistically transparent in its contrapunctial facture. Ben's playing is very sensitive and full of variation in articulation and dynamic shading and development. Thank you very much for this recording. Give us more !

[@rtm8090]

One of Bach's greatest. And to see someone play it moves me, thankyou for sharing this.

[@rodovre]

Hen Hao! Good clarity and phrasing. Go go go, you can go far!

[@moon-cf2vw]

rodovre 你说中文吗？I’m currently learning chinese😂

[@soulechene]

Très belle interprétation! Quelle maitrise du jeu! un grand interprète.

[@varghapayandeh3024]

I cannot stop watching this! It has been like 50 times so far in the last 3 times! Fantastic job Ben! Way to be the next Glenn Gould!

[@duyagetme]

me too!

[@a.f.4248]

Please, please, please, make the utmost efforts NOT TO BE the next Gould !

[@ericastier1646]

@@a.f.4248 Glenn Gould was awesome. Nothing equals his singing polyphonic tone on the piano. This pianist has a dying tone, his left hand almost produces no tone and the recording is software enhanced with reverb.

[@mikemason6069]

I watched this for the first time a few years ago and I keep coming back to it, amazing performance. It's so precise and yet you really bring out all the wonderful Lisztian Romanticism. It builds up wonderfully, and it's so exciting to listen to. Bravo.

[@samdyke8337]

I've been listening to this interpration for a few months now and I feel I just have to leave a comment. Your performance is beautiful, you use great phrasing and great dynamics. This is a brilliant recording and I will listen to it for months if not years to come.

[@vidback]

The quality of the video is equally amazing. Well done cameraman(men)!

[@octopus58]

This piece has four different parts and you play them with only two hands, and you played it so well, I really think this is amazing! You're very talented :)

[@leonardolbrich6976]

*hard worked

[@dunkleosteus430]

Liszt is the one who transcribed it for two hands, he deserves credit.

[@domidom8557]

Great work. Best recorded piano transcription I could find on youtube!

[@iCancrizans]

Wow!! I'm afraid I've not heard of you, but it's my loss! This is really wonderful part playing!

[@tonyyu4247]

this video has been shared in a classical wechat group in China. people love it! thank you for sharing!

[@orb3796]

Love China! Great people and great government.

[@LionKing-mv2uk]

@@orb3796 Gotta love Communism 🇨🇳🇨🇳⚒️⚒️

[@NotMozart1685]

@@orb3796 The ppl are no more or less so than in the rest of the world. I can't say as much about the government though😜😂

[@qidifeng5606]

How can I find this video in Wechat?

[@abnorcscreenname8489]

That sounds excellent! I'm excited for your future videos.

[@yvanspijk]

I liked every second of your performance. Thank you so much for performing one my favourite pieces in such a beautiful way!

[@enricoforzoni]

Interpretazione curata in ogni minimo dettaglio e di grandissimo pregio. Colpiscono non solo la sobrietà e l'eleganza dell'esecuzione, ma anche la raffinata modernità della regia e la grandissima qualità sonora. Ascoltare questa registrazione è una gioia assoluta.

[@crispusattucks4007]

Flawless performance. I’m learning this now 👍

[@MYR-mi1vi]

Amazing performance, precision and musical. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

[@BenZhou]

Glad you enjoyed it. I will be posting more videos.

[@francoislaagel2444]

An interesting perspective. After all, the interpret is the first one to enjoy the outcome of his/her own production, so an upright piano is something that aims toward that goal. And a great interpretation as well. I wish you a successful career, Benoit.

[@johnmunsee4003]

So beautiful and so well-played! I haven't heard anyone play this piece better than you!

[@violetyung1237]

I love the performance.

[@andysoul295]

Masterful rendition

[@robstorm6867]

More please, I watch this basically every month

[@sednahbellick2059]

Very accurate and meticulous playing! I enjoyed watching your effortless hand movements very much! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

[@simonmaginn1479]

That's just terrific. It's so clean and precise, and yet you do so much with it. Gorgeous performance.

[@NeilGastonguay]

How beautifully played, the performer does credit to Bach's genius.

[@marianlevy9232]

Articulate, musical, flawless 🎹❤️😊 performance

[@EarlLedden]

That is one fine upright right there, and well played.

[@zyrtec3]

Bach ic divine. Thanks for bringing some Heaven to Earth, Bro!

[@MarkVeenman730314]

Fantastic recording! Loved it on this u1 upright with the case parts removed. Well done!

[@Valhalla369]

Beautiful! Well done, sir!

[@albavaleriagoncalvesfranca9998]

Obrigada, BACH, por nos ter legado esta obra prima.

[@lucasunplgd]

Amazing job!

[@robstorm6867]

I repost this to friends every time I watch it, which is basically on a schedule. More please

[@goodwillhart]

Absolutely stunning! The tone you are getting at the beginning there is incredible. It must have taken you ages to voice that.

[@Rae4475]

This is amazingly well done, Great job! Also its S.463 for anyone whos looking for the sheet music

[@manuelkatarino]

Congratulation! Amazing performance!!!

[@francoisvaillancourt7309]

Impeccable ! Wonderful and insightful! Bravo!

[@originunknown3209]

Absolutely brilliant, and that opening 40 seconds .... eye shutting!!! 😑😑😑. We’re utterly indebted to Liszt and the brilliant Mendelssohn for bringing us Bach from the mists of time! How the German populace of the time could forget Bach’s music still makes me a little angry, his music only kept alive by the very few scholars and specialists during the 100 or so years of his music’s hibernation! Whether his music was considered old hat or not, it was and will always be ... utterly ASTONISHING!!!! J.S.Bach, the greatest achievement in the history of music!!!!

[@Etiblack01]

I'm currently practicing BWV542/2 on the organ. I enjoy this Liszt arrangement as well. I'm practicing the version for organ, but quite often I also play the manual parts on the piano just for fun; the rhythmic sound of the piano (fast attack and decay) is an interesting and fun change from the sustained sound of the organ.

[@liewlipnan3524]

Sublime performance! 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@rlunger1]

BRAVO!!! You'd make Bach & Liszt very happy. I love this piece and your performance. Timeless beauty.......

[@johnmunsee4003]

Simply gorgeous!!

[@ncmilive]

Absolutely wonderful and crystal clear.

[@Pennykandrews]

very nicely played!!! Beautiful

[@jaydsrimjobs]

great technique!

[@TechnoRaabe]

this piano sounds really lovely

[@SpitzPrincipal4]

This has GOT to be one of not only my favorite all-time Bach fugues- but also one of my favorite piano's- A Yamaha U1 if I'm correct? The bass notes are VERY reminiscent. Each note here is so clean- minimal reverb, perfectly played! Enjoyed this immensely! Thanks for posting! Regards, Nigel from Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

[@bpat74]

This is Yamaha U1 F. . i have the same piano in my home.

[@SpitzPrincipal4]

@@bpat74 Yup, thought so. Probably my most coveted piano. Only played 3 of those models in my lifetime- Two U1's and one U1F. I particularly have a love for the tone of the older Yamaha upright's of the 80's and early 90's.

[@accordiontv1]

Unbelievably good!!!!! Congratulations 🥳 🎉👏👏👏

[@wheelmanmitch]

What an incredible performance!

[@murilolovizotto]

Perfection. Great job :)

[@christopherwilmot8767]

Beyond brilliant writing, and performance.

[@danjelix]

Complimenti! è una bellissima esecuzione.

[@qidifeng5606]

Bravo, vraiment magnifique !

[@gerardbourbonnais6872]

J'adore cet Musique Classique

[@msgingerjourney]

Played with the intended strength and energy it deserves. Very nice.

[@markporter1873]

Beautiful clean interpretation. I'll be looking out for Mr Zhou!

[@curtisthornsberry4236]

Magnificently played

[@lukemadams]

I just watched excellence at work. Remarkable!

[@cesar_8336]

It's hard to express in words what I just have listened to.

[@AkamiChannel]

This is epic. You deserve to have 10,000s of subscribers.

[@presto3219]

Bravo..bravissimo!!!

[@iamvicolo]

Bah ça alors... Bravo, bravo.

[@tiu7188]

素晴らしい演奏！

[@phunse1]

Thank you. Beautiful.

[@clivepai4582]

Wonderful! I like this better than Trifonov's... Can we have the fortune to hear the Prelude of 542?

[@clivepai4582]

Fantasy

[@yvanazastrasz9013]

I'll disagree with you completely on that one, but it is definitely a 100% matter of taste and sensibility :) Which doesn't take away how great this rendition is in my opinion as well.

[@stefanofiocca8787]

good student, but better than trifonov? I doubt Liszt would dream of something better than trifonov

[@DangerRussDayZ6533]

I'm currently practicing this, just started, and having a hart time splitting the voices in my head as I play. This part is crucial for me when learning Bach otherwise it just sounds garbled. Thanks for playing this, it helps me hear it.

[@gwl5796]

Well done! Such precision and musicality

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Outstanding. Many thanks.

[@kasayyib]

Bravo! Beautifully played!

[@mysticmouse7261]

The surge and swell of intertwined melodic lines building to a climax is as exciting as music can ever be. Bach's genius makes it happen optimally.

[@christophetanquerey2054]

bravo Benoit tres belle interpretation!

[@christopherwilmot8767]

One word---sublime

[@SpiroFanigliulo]

Bravissimo!!!

[@mikehughes6582]

Great job.

[@grubby5388]

really impressed with this performance. very good articulation

[@sunianew439]

Unglaublich toll gespielt

[@duyagetme]

I love this! Have you seen the SMALIN channel? and his classical animations? I think you would be an excellent collaboration. You are brilliant. ❤

[@accipiterignitus5123]

#smalin

[@kerawelt2008]

My all time favorite piece from Bach. And your performance is absolutely superb ! How long did it take you to be done with this monster ?

[@EliotKiti]

איזה יופי לראות הערכה ליצירה כה מדהימה

[@eladpeleg745]

@@EliotKiti חח לא הייתי מניח ישראליות כל כך מהר מהשם... אבל כן פוגות זה תמיד מעניין

[@EliotKiti]

@@eladpeleg745 חחחח אני סתם אוהב לעשות את זה ליהודים, הם תמיד בסופו של דבר אוהבים לראות עברית.

[@kerawelt2008]

אני גר בירושלים אני בן 70 ואני חובב מוזיקה מגיל 11

[@dany695]

Amazing

Perfect! Amazing performance!

[@michelroussanne906]

Grand merci !

[@Showbizboy]

Wow just excellent!

[@esengersma5391]

Compliments Benoit!

[@marcorotondi7613]

I Tuoi Maestri ti hanno impostato benissimo! Gradus ad Parnassum!

[@rlunger1]

Bravo!!! Wondrous Bach, Liszt, Zhou Thankyou

[@silviosaditesche1556]

É fascinante ver como toda uma jovem geração chinesa redescobriu Bach, passando esse fascínio ao Ocidente!

[@mudkipith6065]

I love this so much! I listen to this everyday. Such a beautful song. Im trying to learn it on piano too.

[@あげはかなぶん8]

素晴らしい曲ですね🎵