Bach - Violin Concerto in A minor BWV 1041 - Sato | Netherlands Bach Society

Many listeners will recognise this Violin Concerto in A minor, performed by Shunske Sato and the Netherlands Bach Society for All of Bach, immediately, and even identify it with a specific violinist. In contrast to many of Bach’s other works, it never disappeared completely from the repertoire. At the end of the eighteenth century, it was already circulating in Berlin, and it continued to do so.
On 31 March 1860, Bach’s birthday, Julius Eichberg (1824-1893) played the concerto for the first time in the United States. One critic regretted the choice, writing “Bach’s concerto may be learned, but it is very heavy and uninspired”. It was regrettable that such a good violinist as Eichberg selected to play “some antiquated compositions which have little beside antiquity to commend them”.
Recorded for the project All of Bach on 17th May 2019 at Radio Kootwijk. This recording was made possible by the support of the Eleven Floawers Foundation. If you want to help us complete All of Bach, please subscribe to our channel bit.ly/2vhCeFB and consider donating bit.ly/2uZuMj5.
For more information on BWV 1041 and this production go to allofbach.com/en/bwv/bwv-1041/
All of Bach is a project of the Netherlands Bach Society / Nederlandse Bachvereniging, offering high-quality film recordings of the works by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by the Netherlands Bach Society and its guest musicians. Visit our free online treasury for more videos and background material www.bachvereniging.nl/en/allo.... For concert dates and further information go to www.bachvereniging.nl/nederla....
Netherlands Bach Society
Shunske Sato, violin and direction
0:00 [...]
4:04 Andante
9:23 Allegro assai

[@bach]

0:13 [...] 4:04 Andante 9:23 Allegro assai

[@seanmusicianinklang2411]

Was this under the same programme with Coffee Cantata?

[@bach]

@@seanmusicianinklang2411 Indeed, this was recorded during the same program in Radio Kootwijk, a former radio station in the eastern part of the Netherlands.

[@corneliugrigorescu8181]

Magnifici!!

[@TheWiseMonkey8888]

@@corneliugrigorescu8181 9:18, 11:38 & 12:33 :)

[@TheWiseMonkey8888]

12:49 ... :)

[@MrLuridan]

I've heard these pieces a million times, but when NBS performs them they bring something magical to the music. I almost feel like I'm hearing them for the first time...seriously. Astounding.

[@WindyFellow]

While NBS is very very good, this is not even close to the best performances of this piece... listen to the Freiburg Orchestra recording

[@wanderingpalace]

yes mostly because of the baroque tuning (the notes are of lower frequency like baroque period) and stuffs and sato and dean and its team being super good musicians

[@lordchameleon2650]

they play with passion

[@orjhyu3v2ehv3h]

@@lordchameleon2650 It's not just some abstract passion (which certainly isn't lacking) - it's a deep and learned understanding of the music of J.S.Bach, they're all extremely competent musicians especially in the field of interpreting baroque music, they are thoughtful with technique, articulation, phrasing, the soul, and of course they play masterfully on period instruments (or copies thereof). They have wonderful energy, used in the most exquisite way.

[@lordchameleon2650]

@@orjhyu3v2ehv3h sure

[@luisumana1456]

This has to be one of the greatest interpretations of this concerto; the amount of research and adjustments that must have been done backstage during rehersal are so finetuned as to be invisible. The group follow Sato's cues seamlessly and the music dances in the air. This is such a jewel of a performance!

[@mrsenstitz]

I agree. The energy and dance like performance is exhilarating. Sato San is a genius.

[@kenichitanaka7420]

Each performance of any work of J.S.Bach by Netherlands Bach Society is the greatest interpretation, I think.

[@extradimension7356]

These guys are insane - in a good way; a VERY good way :-)

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Couldn't agree more. Love this so much!!! 💖

[@blueeberri8386]

And the baroque instruments and bows as well!

[@francescolanzini5792]

I love all of you Nerherland Bach society!

[@violjohn]

I’ve known this music for 50 years this year and I loved it then but I’m hearing it for the first time with tears now. Thank you NBS, thank you Bach!

[@joecunningham6939]

incredible.. never heard the slow movement interpreted in this way, it's so much better

[@jackvalentine7595]

NBS: a true treasure of the Netherlands and the world

[@user-nu8fi2qw2m]

弾きながら指揮するスタイルがピッタリはまってますね。素晴らしいです。音響もカメラワークもバッチリ。これを好きなだけ無料できけるとは！

[@hessluana]

I’ve heard this Bach hundreds of times, yet finding this video on KZbin today has catapulted my energy and happiness level this morning as well as a grateful feeling toward the Netherlands Bach Society and to Bach himself! 😍🥳🥰⛄️❄️💕🎈

[@maniak1768]

I love how flexible Sato's tempo is in some solo passages. Incredibly expressive.

[@fritso6208]

That's exactly what I dislike in his play.

[@randomoneforstuff3696]

@@fritso6208 It really is a polarizing preference. In many of NBS's recordings with Sato, people in the comments always debate about it, but in the end it just comes down to what each person likes. In my case, I do enjoy it. You don't. But that's the joy of KZbin - having so many recordings with different interpretations so that we each can find one that we like best!

[@MM93_SV5]

This makes it not baroque like. Baroque music, especially Bach should be played without rubato, cuz it’s not appeared yet until the romantic period. This piece should be played in a constant tempo, without tempo change. If this interpretation was put in a different piece, it might work, but not in any baroque piece. This sounds horrible.

[@maniak1768]

@@MM93_SV5 It depends. Unequal or flexible tempo use is not a romantic invention, but was common practice all over Europe, especially in French and German keybord playing in the late baroque period, however problematic these terms are. Bach's son Carl Philipp Emmanuel for instance has written entire fantasies without a single measure. So tempo rubato wasn't unheard of in J.S. Bach's own time, probably. It's not too far of a stretch. Also consider that many of the tropes we associate with today's romantic playing aren't historically accurate. Vibrato for example was used sparsely by 19th century violinists, but portamenti were very common.

[@davidriggenbach6672]

@@MM93_SV5 Well, there are no recordings from the baroque era, and there are no written notes by Bach indicating NEVER to play rubato. Our perspective on baroque playing should just be eliminated and be played as the music itself guides you.

[@prince4ever]

Very beautiful. Clean but not aggressive, freely but not selfish. Sato's facial expression is really natural. Thank you for uploading.

[@samrose565]

I was looking for a good recording of this yesterday and didn't see one that kept me interested the whole way through in terms of performance! Then, early the next morning, The Netherlands Bach Society comes and shows who the boss of Bach's music is! Thanks!

[@RalphLooij]

I agree, one of the most fresh recordings I know!

[@uweschollmeyer9409]

@@RalphLooij By the way: It‘s the same room where the most fresh recording of the coffee cantata was produced. Easy to find on KZbin and highly recommended to any lover of J.S. Bach‘s music.

[@RalphLooij]

@@uweschollmeyer9409 Thanks for pointing me at that! I didn't know that recording. Very fresh indeed.

[@arupsengupta2454]

Have you come across Josef suk and the Czech orchestra's recording?

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Well said!!! NBS is definitely "the Boss" when it comes to J. S. Bach. 👍

[@phwbooth]

Wow! Well done Maestro Sato and fellow musicians. Bach with feeling.

[@ttwiligh7]

I've never imagined myself shedding tears for this piece. I'm not a big fan of Bach's sweet melodies but as the second movement stated so perfectly with the solid bass to welcome soulful voice of the violin, I couldn't hold back tears. The experience was so rich and fresh, that I felt like listening to this piece for the first time. And the third movement only accelerated tear flow. Mr, Sato, you made me cry.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Sato is a great Violinist & Conductor.

[@janel342]

I am completely uneducated musically, but this felt like you were writing it for the first time as you played. It sounded so alive, and in the moment. I loved all your body movements too. You were like slender reeds moving in a clear stream. You touched and moved my soul. Thank you for your splendid skills and your total commitment.

[@jeffreydronenburgsr.8224]

Absolutely superb performance. NBS is beyond a shadow of a doubt one of the finest groups of musicians in the world today. Thank you!!!

[@kazimierzwielki2349]

Coming back again and again. 👌

[@Chrismacleod777]

What a wonderful, exciting performance! Bach himself would have been impressed, I think! Thanks for posting! 💐🌹🍁🐌🌺🎻🎶🎉🌿🌼🦆🌸🍀👍😀

[@beaglemusiclabs]

As so many others already have, I found this performance absolutely captivating, a fantastic balance between soloistic expression and rhythmic vitality, between scholarship and fun. Every one of your recordings is an absolute delight, and makes even the more well-known of Bach's works sound fresh while very much "historically informed." Thank you!

[@TheWiseMonkey8888]

11:38 & 12:14... absolutely nothing can beat this performance...

I love you Bach, I love you Bach Society, I love you Shunske. 😵❤️

[@gengoro1]

Shunsuke.

[@displaychicken]

The best interpreters with the best KZbin channel playing one of the best compositions by the best composer.

[@boxhitbox1455]

Initially, especially during the andante, I was off out by how Sato plays Bach romantically; off the grid if you will. However, by the allegro assai, I became so invested in the energy and emotion brought by his playing that isnt often seen in Bach. His playing elevated the emotional aspect of Bach in a way that reminded me why I appreciate Bach’s music so much. Kudos.

[@DavidMaurand]

the room, mic placement, and player arrangement make it feel as though are in the ensemble.....outstanding audio engineering.

[@alantorrance6153]

Bach is one of my favourite composers - and this must be one of the finest compositions. Very well played. Thank you. Bedankt!

[@jochanaan58]

This room has livelier acoustics than some of the other rooms in which All Of Bach has recorded. I like it! Fits the lively reading.

[@ilpretterossorocks]

Don’t have words to express how this concerto was beautifully performed and interpreted in all levels baroque!! Thank you NBS!!

[@GabdeVue]

I deeply enjoy how involved every musician is. How well the sound meshes. Bach for me has something so clear, vibrant, intricate but also very disciplined and mathematical to his music. And that's why i love it. But some renditions get so... sterile or (purely for my taste!) too 'wild'. Also enjoy the way this is filmed - the angles and the setting. Thank you for this treat.

[@javiergil8037]

Escuchar a Bach es refugiarse en un oasis celestial, y de la mano de la N.B.S. resulta un exquisito banquete para el alma! Saludos desde la CdMx 🇲🇽

[@Tweeteketje]

Just wow! It sounds so fresh and new, yet natural.

[@olivierfritzfeller7654]

Bonjour. Il n'y a pas de mots pour dire mon admiration à ces interprêtes. Une communion avec Dieu !!! Merci mille fois pour ce que vous apportez au monde. Un soulagement énorme, le sentiment de la vraie vie. La rédemption. Merci Cordialement. Olivier F

[@russellb1706]

Just the way to wind down on a Sunday evening. A truly masterful performance.

[@paulclarke7147]

Have taught and played this a hundred times……suddenly it lives,bravi!

[@HumbleNewMusic]

A super masterpiece of a concerto!!!! & played sooooo fluently... they're all so musically connected. That sound balance at the start of the Andante is heavenly 4:04 ...Thank you NBS for this today... 🎶 🙂

[@HumbleNewMusic]

Also, what all the musicians are wearing somehow makes their instruments stand out in a nice, classy way... 🎻

[@scarlatti222]

I've been hearing this concerto for the past 30 years , Today i heared it like something new in a refreshing way . How NBS played it with different prespective , Expression and full of emotions . They were'nt just playing the piece ... they were living it note by note in a lively way . Thank you so much NBS for refreshing our souls 💙👏🏼🌸🌸🌸

[@christofziegler2338]

So lively, virtuous, but still reflecting Bach´s conventions! Simply incredible. It supersedes everything bevor...

[@giugiubi]

The second movement is so beautifully played

[@anikomattison7568]

Most beautiful! Excellent performance! I love it!

[@williamco2020usa]

This music is the best way to say "good morning"! Awesome! Thank you!

[@philippedejonghe5273]

Exacte! Quelle fraîcheur énergique pour commencer un belle journée!

[@hanskok3862]

NBS keeps setting the highest standard in their performances. Thank you for making these wonderful recordings available online. I plug in my in-ears and enjoy the magnificent sound quality. The video registration is superb as well. Thanks again, you have made Bach come alive for me at a whole new level. I didn't use to think of Bach as the best composer ever, but now I do.

[@mariechristinevisser8505]

Beautiful music, beautiful instruments, beautiful people sharing their enjoyment of Bach's masterpieces! Exquisite!

[@desperateastro]

Sato is the very best baroque violinist in the world. He is one of the great violinists!

[@kazuhikofurukoshi1750]

響きが柔らかく心地よい。

[@alfonsomartin6686]

A pleasure to listen to interpretation of this well known concert by this musical group. All instruments and perfect players . Congratulations Netherlands Bach Society one more time!! ,My favourites 💔

[@romanonishchenko4789]

Высочайший уровень исполнения. Великолепная интерпретация. Какая Музыка! Какие Музыканты! Спасибо за красоту и чистоту... Sato, один из лучших скрипачей мира...

[@delrenatoaltoe]

I was waiting for this video. The Bach violin concerts are really special.

[@klop4228]

Now I just hope they put up the E major concerto soon!

[@delrenatoaltoe]

@@klop4228 Visit the All of Bach site...

[@klop4228]

@@delrenatoaltoe Oh, is it up on their website? Nice, I'll have a look!

[@UlimorUdamenta]

I've been waiting for this to happen! Thank you NBS!!! Blessings to you!

[@musicfanBRA]

Such an expressive performance by Mr. Sato! This video makes other recordings sound mechanical, soulless. I think this is the gold standard for this piece. Bravo NBS and thanks so much for posting.

[@sergioalmeidaprado]

Meu Deus .... Então é assim que ele pode ser.... Mais divino ainda. Obrigado.

[@dlbbhsaa]

The venue for this concert is unusual: Radio Kootwijk was an ultra long wave radio station built 100 years ago to communicate with the Dutch East Indies. Long decommissioned, the art deco transmitter hall is now used for concerts and other events. (Great to hear a new and striking interpretation of such a familiar piece).

[@umajone]

SUPERB - dynamic, light, complex, not self indulgent - done for the joy.

[@dnp4406]

Fantastic performance! Thanks NBS

[@kenichitanaka7420]

This performance reminded me of how much I love J.S. Bach and Netherlands Bach Society.

[@pringr]

I started violin lessons again after a 25 year break last March, and have been furiously watching your videos. Now I’m learning this concerto and I adore it. I may even sit an ABRSM exam. Thank you for all your inspiration to pick my instrument again and get to the point where playing pieces like this is in the realms of possibility. Plus Sato’s playing is giving me ideas for tasteful execution and phrasing!

[@MegaFount]

NBS is the gift that keeps on giving. Such treasure you share with the world. To think we live in such times to have access to such greatness with the push of a button. It is staggering. Thank you to all the marvelous musicians for your exquisite, loving and moving performance.

[@bensha5087]

They convey to me the passion of Bach

[@nobut5170]

J.S.Bach's outstanding talent of forseeing future is just marvelous. He may not have forecast increase demands for his own creation though. Passing his great "too" many works to the next generations will be enormous assets, mentally, humanly. For music-lovers, exploraing into the Bach's world is the same adventure as going to the Moon, the Mars. Please keep it up Sato-san and the Team!

[@zorukk]

FANTASTICO SATO!!!!!!!!!

[@1keithvincent]

A spectacular performance. The opening and closing movements so full of joy. The adagio so sensuous that I could easily picture it danced as a tango. The entire performance was spellbinding.

[@randomoneforstuff3696]

Amazing performance! I have waited years for this to come out!

[@WMRhapsodies]

This may be the best concerto performance I've heard from NBS so far. Congrats and many thanks.

[@chrisgrennan744]

Just! Absolutely Beautiful!! Truly, fresh, exciting. New, really. Just extraordinary performances, all around ❤❤❤❤❤

[@federicoyanezf.y.8359]

Mr. Sato aticulation in 3rd movement are MAJOR words!

[@michicomunista3241]

There is nothing better than delighting in this beautiful performance of the Bach concerto in A minor, it is one of the best performances I have ever heard in my entire life. The adage was the best, full of sentimentality and pain, but at the same time it was a sweet bite from its interpreters, something indescribable that I have never felt in other interpretations, I am really too grateful that the memory of Master Bach still stands. After so many years. Thank you very much for giving us this beautiful interpretation.

[@franciscoe.novalessalinas4981]

BELLÍSIMO, PERFECTO. GRACIAS MAESTRO SATO

[@alexthedog]

Netherlands Bach Society Pinned by Netherlands Bach Society Netherlands Bach Society 1 year ago 0:13 [...] 4:04 Andante 9:23 Allegro assai 166

[@augustopinochet3137]

Now that's truly exceptional; played with such emotionality, sparkling and gleaming with feeling. I've never heard a greater interpretation of this work! Beautiful, Mr. Sato! Thank you, NBS!

[@luisdiazlopez3712]

For almost all chileans this will be a surprising new: Augusto Pinochet lover of Bachs's music!

[@augustopinochet3137]

@@luisdiazlopez3712 Haha, indeed I am!

[@susannasans5908]

Fabulous. Thank you Netherlands for the superb work you are doingi n compiling Bach's works!!!

[@SCISZORZ_6sic6]

Prestigious! Such vigorous follow-through, Beautiful music, generously. A comparison; there is no other!!

[@nainevren3996]

imagine if Bach could hear this today!!!! i like to think he'd really love this interpretation of this masterpiece

[@alanhean6504]

Best version I've heard

[@rochoa7408]

I’ve been DYING to hear this piece on the NBS channel. This is such a treat. It’s one of my all-time favorite classical pieces.

[@ma859]

Wonderful balance. Wonderful acoustics. Wonderful expressions.

[@amadeus5889]

As much as I love big, rich, sonically impressive renditions of Bach, this small, transparent, delicate sound is so wonderfully refreshing.

[@luisantoniocarrillotejas8236]

Casually dropping one of the best recordings of one of the best violin concertos

[@davidgonzalez368]

Love the nonchalant dance-like quality of the Andante! Well done Mr Sato and NBS!

[@ambersherman449]

I don't know who this Sato guy is but he's my new violin idol.

[@MattWeisherComposer]

You can see the love they all have for their art and their want to share it with not only their colleagues, but with everyone that wants to listen. That is as beautiful as the music itself. And it is beautiful.

[@lenanielsen5903]

An absolutely wonderful performance 🍃

[@N_3.1415]

I don't really like leaving comments, but your masterpiece just deserves praises!! All the artists here are so capable of inspiring a kind of flow, while captivating the audience!! I felt bewitched, and truly enjoyed it, so thanks again for your art, and incredible work.

[@mateusmartinstrindade1250]

Perfect😍😍😍

[@ffbossy]

Iedere muziekliefhebber heeft dit werk heel vaak gehoord, er vallen mij twee dingen op. Al de registraties zijn fantastisch opgenomen, klinkt echt grandioos. Maar zoals als de muzikanten hier spelen wordt het echt genieten 😎 een van de mooiste vertolking ooit👍

[@polisticaluz4751]

Happy birthday Bach. An instrumental music which just the pure and fabulous mind of Johann could create. Sublime. Thanks to these very unbelievable Dutch group. Everybody here loves the true, free and autonomous kind of music.

[@bellafausett2063]

I just love how much FUN they’re all having!! Favorite recording of this concerto by far. Bravo!

[@ayobmilad9851]

Beautiful Music great Group of people... I wish one day i can watch you live

[@elricky1996]

Definitely the best version of this piece! Truly perfection.

[@Robertmeulendijk]

Wow great performance of this violin concerto written by Bach ❤

[@hebamadi265]

At last!!! I have been long waiting for this concerto from you!!! Thank you very much ❤️💖

[@alecrobinson7124]

The NBS amazes me again, I don't think I've ever heard this concerto this clearly and beautifully.

[@IDEEINDIGO]

Énorme ! Quelle classe. Puissance sonore mais clarté. Panache mais précision. Unité... Ma-gni-fi-que ! Une merveille ! BRAVO ! Encore !❤️❤️❤️

[@pataquesbass]

La plus belle version jamais enregistrée. En tant que violoniste baroque je suis ébloui !!!

[@puravidafiolin4152]

Just beautiful. This also brings back me to my old days. Yes, Bach Concerto, Suzuki book vol 7 😁. I really liked 3rd mvt. so I practiced a lot when i was a Suzuki student.

[@giselaripota-harhaus7949]

❤️💐🌺💐❤️ you are devine!!!! All of you!!!! You fill my heart with consolation and joy and my body with fresh power 🙏🌼🕊️🌼🙏

[@tailleferrestan]

I wonder what the American critic (mentioned in the description) saw uninspiring in this masterpiece! From the first minute, heavenly music emanates from the violinist's strings!

[@ulisescervantes]

Maybe he listened it from the Sato of that moment. That would explain it.

[@YvonneBurggraaf]

Words are not enough ❤️

[@drpangloss6725]

Whether you’re a musician or not this a gorgeous performance.... and it’s recorded live The beauty is in it’s simplicity!

[@TheMarcHicks]

Such a gorgeous piece, and so wonderfully played....and so glad to see you guys still doing amazing work in the midst of the pandemic!

[@joseleonido3479]

De Bachvereniging doet de muziek goed, bedankt voor dit stuk, ik kan je zeker niet terugbetalen omdat ik een kind ben, het enige dat ik kan betalen is mijn dank, bedankt, en blijf veilig!

[@paperaviation147]

OMG i have been waiting for this for so long, glad to finally hear your interpretation!!!

[@jsb7975]

*Wat een doorluchtig spel !* *F E N O M E N A A L!* 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@josselynvaillancourt2237]

Une « pure » merveille. Miracle de beauté!