Bach WTC II Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2 Complete Live Performance - Thomas Schwan, piano

[@MrVincent537]

Here I can finally hear only Bach and no one else, not even the pianist. Thomas Schwan is an absolute medium for Bach's music. The sound is also out of this world. It is the first time in my 68 years (I am meanwhile 69 and in March 70) that I have heard such a clear, present and differentiated piano sound. When I listen to this recording again now, I have a kind of transcendental perception of the whole event or happening, as if I were facing Bach and he was talking to me about his life experience, about his music and about humanity. This is a very intense emotional experience because I realize the true expression of a great soul like Bach in real life as Bach is living on through his music, played by Thomas Schwan. Today I realize for the first time that this recording represents such an intense life experience with Bach that I cannot hold back my tears.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, thank you for these extraordinary words! I am humbled! All the best to you, with blessings, Thomas

[@georgesmelki1]

I can say exactly the same thing, and I've been listening to the WTC for 55 years now!

[@ThomasSchwan]

@georgesmelki1 Thank you wholeheartedly!

[@OV-zg3md]

How true. Thank you for expressing my thoughts)

[@jeffsmith1798]

Thank you for this comment. Very true. I feel this recording presents the Well Tempered Clavier both uniquely beautifully with each piece, with each set of pieces (prelude and fugue) and as an integral masterwork. It’s truly beautiful.

[@retf054ewte3]

There is an old saying (by myself): "we LIKE to hear what WE like to hear". I have come back to this page many many times. Why? because . I like this music the way Mr. Schwan performs it.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your kind words, and truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation. All the best to you! Thomas

[@tinabirdshafer]

So agree, what a consummate musician. Most people pound out Bach and are so aggressive with it. You really hear the musicality with his playing. I hope he comes to NYC so I can see him!

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@tinabirdshafer Dear Tina, thank you for your wonderful words! So kind! All the best, Happy New Year! Thomas

[@ArmenFKaz]

JS Bach is my favorite composer of all times. I breath with Bach. At my medical office there is always his music is playing overhead. Living in USA I have traveled 3 times to Eisenach to spend time at his house and museum. I know every performer who ever played Bach - from Richter to Gould, but since last year when I discovered Thomas performing WTC he became my favorite Bach performer with his absolutely new fresh air of Bach's music . with very new interpretation of Bach's music. I cannot listen to any other performers after Thomas. It is incredible that this crazy times still can bring to us such a performer and Bach lover like Thomas. Bravo, bravo , bravo....

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your incredible words! I am truly happy that these interpretations are meaningful to you. I can't imagine a greater reward for my humble efforts. Thank you wholeheartedly, all the best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@marieclaude5360]

Je me reconnais dans vos paroles : depuis toujours Bach, et maintenant, toujours Thomas, avec sa sensibilité, son tempo, sa délicatesse.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@marieclaude5360 Thank you for such wonderful words!! All the best! Thomas

[@patmajor4840]

What a wonderful idea to have this genius music /performance playing in your work environment especially as a physician 👍

[@ThomasSchwan]

@patmajor4840 Thank you for your truly kind words! All the best! Thomas

[@RickGraham]

A truly sublime performance. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this monumental work! As someone has already mentioned, fugue IX is a truly stunning performance with a tempo that really shows the clarity and the musical depth of the lines that weave together in such a way that it's hard to not get emotional.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Rick, thank you for your wonderful words! Yes, the E major fugue is such a sublime and universal work in itself - perhaps one of the most beautiful works ever written; to know that this interpretation resonates with you is a great source of happiness. Thank you again, all the best to you! Thomas

[@DGHamblin]

I grew up listening to my father play WTC 1&2. He would often practice late at night as I was falling asleep. For years I tried to find an artist who played Bach in a way which reminded me of this memory, none were satisfactory until i found your videos. You are exponentially better than he ever was, but the tempo at which you play, and the feeling you embed into the composition is reminiscent of what I heard and felt as a child while he struggled to learn the pieces to his satisfaction. I often listen to this while i fall asleep at night, or anytime I need to relax. Thank you for making this old man's heart happy.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly, Sir, I feel deeply moved by your comment. And thank you for sharing with me these incredibly precious memories! This really means a lot to me... Probably the greatest reward I can imagine. All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@moy9022]

Your father had a good taste music.you are lucky .

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Yes Thomas Schwan playes with a unique feeling, not like a machine but like a human with heart and soul! Thank you for your nice comment!

[@osiggaard-andersen1843]

The auditorium ought to be completely full with people standing on the stairs. This is a unique performance. Thank you, Thomas.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such kind words and for listening! All the very best to you! Thomas

[@affectus942]

Yes indeed my friend,but the reason for this empty auditorium is because the covid 19 virus in 2022 was active at that period.But i agree with you.This is outstanding music.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@affectus942 Thank you for your kind words! I'd say the concert was only modestly advertised...

[@stephaned.2135]

Très belle performance. Un jeu sensible et qui respecte le texte de Bach. Pour une performance Live c'est vraiment remarquable. Les gens qui n'étaient pas dans la salle alors qu'ils auraient pu y être ne sauront jamais ce qu'ils ont raté ...

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@stephaned.2135 Thank you very much, all the best to you! Thomas

[@grandmacat1994]

i had a wonder friend while i lived and studied at the Goetheanum in Switzerland who wanted me to play Bach as if stars were coming out of my fingertips- Schwan is doing this!

[@grandmacat1994]

i meant wonderful...

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you, what a wonderful comment! These words have a deep meaning for me, as I have always felt there is a "cosmic" and "star-gazing" dimension to two composers in particular: Bach and (perhaps unexpectedly for some) Chopin. Thank you, all the best to you! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

E minor BWV 879: Praeludium 52:30 and Fuga 54:45, this is where Bach's discussion is so humorous, and where there is so much laughter as the different voices pose questions to each other.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, absolutely true, a wonderful observation! Thank you as always! Thomas

[@stereodachs]

This room should be full of people. . Thomas is absolute stunning. Also respect to the sound engineer 👏🏼

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for listening and for your kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@stereodachs]

@@ThomasSchwan you are welcome, thomas. seriously : my deepest respect for your deep unserstanding of the true master j.s bach and this great performance of the book 2. warm regards from germany . Sebastian

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@stereodachs Thank you wholeheartedly! Thomas

[@davel4708]

Yeah, what's going on there? This is top quality music. I would have been there in a heartbeat.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@davel4708 Thank you for your truly kind words! All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@DGHamblin]

I have listened to this at least 100 times. It never gets old. Thomas Schwan plays Bach like no other. He is simply the best.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your incredible words!... I feel truly humbled! And I am so happy you are enjoying so much this interpretation. All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@Parivadi_dasa]

I think that Mr. Schwan is not fond of being the best! He represents our new era which is based on heart and soul (and respects of other great performers!)

[@charlottewhyte9804]

yes

[@matthewsouthwell]

I've never tipped before on this platform but couldn't sit here listening to this wonderful performance for free. What a feat of athleticism and artistry to perform 24 preludes and fugues from memory and with such lyricism that truly embodies the spirit of Bach. I've listened to Gould and Schiff and this performance easily sits alongside these titans. Thanks for sharing.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Matthew, thank you wholeheartedly for listening, for your amazingly kind words, and for your donation. I feel truly humbled and grateful. All the best to you! Thomas

[@blondellemarie-jeanne3845]

Ce pianiste est extraordinaire,,son jeu touche l âme

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@blondellemarie-jeanne3845 Thank you for such kind words! All the best!

[@MrVincent537]

Anyone who at least appreciates this performance should donate. The uniqueness of this Bach performance is just as valuable as the rediscovery of a lost work by Bach. Let's support the rediscovery of Bach music for human ears and souls by a pianist as unique as Thomas Schwan and support him financially for this achievement.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@MrVincent537Thank you, dear Paul, what wonderful words! I am humbled! All the best, Thomas

[@peterwatchorn5618]

So, Thomas: I reserved my comment for now, having had the privilege of hosting you in Boston and hearing you play the whole of Book 2 live in an incomparable performance of simplicity, beauty and integrity. It was also a privilege to play Book 1 for you on the pedal harpsichord. As an experienced Bach player for over 50 years, I add my voice to others here. You play this music as well as I've heard it played, making it effective on an instrument that Bach did not know, and projecting both his spirit and your own enormous musical insights. Bravo, thanks, and looking forward to your next visit! Peter Watchorn

[@ThomasSchwan]

Hi Peter: I have no words to express how honored I feel to receive these incredible words by one of the world's greatest musicians and most distinguished Bach interpreters. Beyond what I could ever possibly imagine. And I cannot wait to visit Boston again - these were some of the best days in my life!

[@beebeequail]

As good as the greatest Bach interpreters.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@beebeequail Thank you, I feel humbled! All the best, Thomas

[@begshallots]

Scarcely a higher recommendation to be found!

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@begshallots Absolutely: Peter Watchorn is a legendary artist!

[@peterburandt4586]

The human brain at its finest. From both, the composer as well as the performer.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@shmuliknemanov4009]

it's is a rare thing when precision and nuance are both served

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@mashtali1]

If you don't have time to listen thoroughly to the whole thing, Please allow me to recommend a few pieces of this monumental music for you: No. 1 in C Major BWV 870: Praeludium 0:10 Fuga 3:02 No. 2 in C minor BWV 871: Praeludium 4:38 Fuga 5:42 No. 3 in C sharp major BWV 872: Praeludium 8:41 Fuga 10:32 No. 4 in C sharp minor BWV 873: Praeludium 12:57 Fuga 17:54 No. 5 in D major BWV 874: Praeludium 19:46 Fuga 23:24 No. 6 in D minor BWV 875: Praeludium 27:08 Fuga 28:39 No. 7 in E flat major BWV 876: Praeludium 30:52 Fuga 33:46 No. 8 in D sharp minor BWV 877: Praeludium 36:13 Fuga 38:57 No. 9 in E major BWV 878: Praeludium 44:34 Fuga 47:03 No. 10 in E minor BWV 879: Praeludium 52:30 Fuga 54:45 No. 11 in F major BWV 880: Praeludium 57:46 Fuga 1:01:20 No. 12 in F minor BWV 881: Praeludium 1:03:09 Fuga 1:05:30 No. 13 in F sharp major BWV 882: Praeludium 1:07:42 Fuga 1:11:31 No. 14 in F sharp minor BWV 883: Praeludium 1:14:29 Fuga 1:18:45 No. 15 in G major BWV 884: Praeludium 1:25:43 Fuga 1:27:15 No. 16 in G minor BWV 885: Praeludium 1:28:33 Fuga 1:31:39 No. 17 in A flat major BWV 886: Praeludium 1:34:48 Fuga 1:38:47 No. 18 in G sharp minor BWV 887: Praeludium 1:43:05 Fuga 1:45:19 No. 19 in A major BWV 888: Praeludium 1:52:44 Fuga 1:54:40 No. 20 in A minor BWV 889: Praeludium 1:55:58 Fuga 1:58:40 No. 21 in B flat major BWV 890: Praeludium 2:00:26 Fuga 2:04:44 No. 22 in B flat minor BWV 891: Praeludium 2:08:02 Fuga 2:11:34 No. 23 in B major BWV 892: Praeludium 2:18:22 Fuga 2:19:50 No. 24 in B minor BWV 893: Praeludium 2:24:07 Fuga 2:26:47

[@ThomasSchwan]

Ahah, that's great, thank you Sir! :) All the best!! Thomas

[@donald-ericblanchette6603]

Your brain is connected to your heart by your fingers!marvellous

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you, all the best! Thomas

[@dustinlaferney3160]

WOW! I saw this in my feed, and could hardly believe anyone could or would undertake playing the entire WTC II from memory in front of an audience. Congratulations on your achievement and thank you sharing your art. The world is better for it!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for such kind words, dear Dustin, a truly wonderful comment - Thank you!! I wish you a fantastic Christmas time with your family! All the best, Thomas

[@scottson2]

Thomas didn't provide this himself so I will. Bk1 complete. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3rQkp58qKp7gpo

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@scottson2 Thank you, I appreciate! All the best, Thomas

[@alisatabori2359]

Svjastoslav Richter...

[@vshagoyan]

@@alisatabori2359 Dare I say Richter does not approach the clarity Thomas has achieved here.

[@simondurrant1]

I opened this intending to listen to the first prelude + fugue while waiting for something, out of curiosity, and here I am at the end of the entire book, absolutely gripped. This is true music-making of the highest quality. The level of control and the precision of the voicing is a joy to listen to and the beauty of the tone obtained from the instrument is exceptional. The interpretations feel sensible and well-placed, giving centre stage to the music above the performer. Truly magnificent.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such wonderful words, and for listening! I am truly happy that you enjoyed this interpretation. All the very best to you, with Blessings! Thomas

[@roxanapri4]

I agree to each word of Mr Durrant. I'm a pianist myself and devoted to the WTC. Marvellous interpretation, thousands of thanks, Thomas !!!!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@roxanapri4 Thank you so much for your truly kind words and for listening! All the best!! Thomas

[@georgesmelki1]

​@@ThomasSchwan where have you been hiding all this time? Truly exceptional interpretation of this unique masterpiece!

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@georgesmelki1 Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas

[@CobyComputer]

Holy smokes, I can't remember 4 notes I played the night before. This guy is playing perfectly extraordinarily complex music for 2.5 hours with no sheet music.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening! :) All the best to you! Thomas

[@super_organist]

​@@ThomasSchwanWanna say something, I discovered that if I practice a piece by the time I have fully grasped it, its already in my memory. Now I imagine that its the same, at the time you were practicing these pieces, by the time you finished each of the pieces, they are already in your memory, even without actually trying to memorise them, and thats why you are now able to play every thing off hand, right?

[@ThomasSchwan]

@super_organist Hello! Yes, I'd say that is true; in a deep sense, I believe that truly grasping something and memorizing it are the same thing. And in a way, "knowing" something really means "becoming" that thing. So, yes, there hasn't been a specific "memorization" process separated from the practice process as a whole; although I also did a lot of mental practice to review all the pieces in a way that is not as physically consuming as playing them...

[@CobyComputer]

@super_organist and @thomasschwan I believe you are both gifted. I actually have the ability to draw and paint from memory but I cannot remember music very well. I am extremely creative with music, and sometimes phrases come back to me but even after 33 years with music as my life’s passion I struggle to play the same thing twice… Love what you said about “becoming that thing” … blessings to you both ✨🌌✨

[@ThomasSchwan]

@CobyComputer Thank you, blessings to you as well! Thomas

[@davidhertzberg]

After listening to the WTC for about the last 50 years, I thought I'd heard every great performance, every possible nuance, every hidden voice. Mr. Schwan, I bow to you in deep respect for enriching all of our lives with a fresh, sensitive and brilliant interpretation of this colossal opus. I look forward with great anticipation to your recording of Book I. Regards, david h.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear David, thank you for such incredible words, and for listening! I feel humbled! Also, you can find my 2019 live performance of Book I in my channel. All the best to you! Thomas

[@rsjmd]

I felt the same as soon as I heard the first few measures>there is something special here. I hear it but only being a relatively minor piano player myself, (i.e. not a professional "pianist") i can not describe it from a true artists perception or description. Good luck to you all. I hope to see Mr Schwan in Los Angeles sometime

[@ThomasSchwan]

@rsjmd @rsjmd Thank you for your wonderful words! :) All the best! Thomas

[@frankgaertner9021]

Such a futuristic presentation of the works by such a futuristic composer. Both are way ahead of their time. The intertwining melodies are, as you say, like voices crying out, digging deep into our emotions, attempting to get our attention with a message. Wake up! It brings back a childhood memory of the little tune who said, “You’re sitting on me”. And then Tubby got it and began to make the world a better place by playing the most beautiful tune ever written for a tuba.

[@frankgaertner9021]

@@ThomasSchwan Thank you!!

[@mikelonneke1844]

How can he have the stamina to do this? Flawless, inspired playing that, for me, eclipses what for 50 years I had considered the ne plus ultra of Bach keyboard performance: Glenn Gould! Superb in EVERY WAY. The American Public is "Sans le gout." The 3/4 empty recital hall for his performance PROVES that!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful comment and for listening! I feel humbled. As for the audience, it was just not a massively advertised concert... Thank you again, all the very best to you! Thomas

[@KhalDrogo76]

as a lifelong listener/fan of the WTC i must say this interpretation is outstanding - amazing touch dynamically and appreciate your take on tempo. Mozart called the WTC his morning bread and butter or something along those lines.. here we are some 300 years after it was written and for me still a high watermark of human accomplishment/genius/etc. its life in a microcosm, beauty/fear/calm/hectic...pure genius! Bravo Thomas

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for your truly kind words! All the best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

The playing of Bach music by Thomas Schwan is a unique musical light for the soul of the listener.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, thank you for such incredible words!!! All the very best to you, with blessings!! Thomas

[@usl612]

Bravissimo. Il tuo Bach è meraviglioso. È melodia per la mia anima

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@usl612 Grazie di cuore per le bellissime parole e per l'ascolto! Un caro saluto! Thomas

[@jeffc1736]

@@ThomasSchwan when is your next concert in Dallas?

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@jeffc1736 As for solo, no precise dates or Dallas yet, but all will be posted on my website! (We'll have a two piano recital with my wife in November, though!) Thank you, Thomas

[@aknevv]

AI will NEVER be able to replace this kind of genius! Mind-blowing

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your comment! I also deeply believe that all of the AI hype is absolute idiocy. Nothing, and not a machine, will ever replace that element of unpredictable frailty that is the ungraspable essence of humanity. All the best! Thomas

[@organman52]

The F major Prelude is played with especially stunning beauty !

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much! Happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best, Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

There is NO OTHER pianist playing this Bach keyboard music, at least in the whole history of recording music, who plays this music as truthfully and pure as a river at its source as Thomas Schwan does.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dearest Paul, once more, I feel incredibly humbled by your words. Thank you wholeheartedly! All the very best to you, Thomas

[@LangNungLarryMan]

Comparable to Glenn Gould , Rosalyn Tureck , and Richter in the past century.

[@gregoryeze9329]

​@@LangNungLarryManAndras schiff

[@sirdicaudore]

Play the entire WTC is “per se” an titanic achievement for any pianist, for any human brain! But here, this is the last in the series to admire. Before such musical purity, such a sensitive, sincere, inspired and inspiring interpretation, the only words that can be said are a big, heartfelt THANK YOU!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly for being there this afternoon, for listening, and for such generous and wonderful words!! Honored to have shared this musical moment with you. All my best! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

Listening to this Bach music played by Thomas Schwan again after more than half a year, with every note played by this incredible pianist and true Bach medium, I feel that Bach's music has not only existed for 300 years or more, but since the creation of the universe. Only Thomas Schwan has been able to perform Bach's music in such a way that it is timeless and infinite, like the whole cosmos. Thomas Schwan is the only pianist to date who can manage the dynamics of each note/sound and the tempo with its infinite fluctuations in his playing of Bach's music in such an expressive way as to convey all the timeless divinity inherent in Bach's music.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, great to hear from you and I feel truly humbled by your words. I am happy you are still enjoying these interpretations. Your words as always mean a lot to me and are tremendously positive and encouraging on a spiritual level. All the best, with blessings and Happy New Year, Thomas

[@georgeantipov7870]

You have to be brave enough to perform 24 prelude and fugues in one concert 😯😯😯. WOW!!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much, sir, for listening and for your kind words!! :) All the best! Thomas

[@jeanlucchapelon]

Exceptionnel d’abord de mémoriser tout cela puis de le jouer avec passion,précision !!

[@ThomasSchwan]

​@@jeanlucchapelon Thank you, dear Jean-Luc, for such kind words and for listening!! All the best! Thomas

[@andradas9688]

Fugue in E major BWV 878: what a transcendental journey. Wonderful performance.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much! That is one of the most beloved and profound moments in the cycle to me, as well; it is truly satisfactory for me to hear that in your opinion I managed to serve the spirit of the music decently well. All the best to you! Thomas

[@gregorycarroll6341]

Wow. The slow tempo of this performance enabled this wonderful performer to allow time for listeners to hear the intricacies of the polyphonic entries and relationships throughout this stunning work of creative genius--with strettos and paired layers of polyphony. Bravo! This composition was my go-to piece to perform for 5 months after hand surgery, giving me the strength to move beyond a personal trauma (as a pianist) in 1989. Thank you, Thomas. Thank you!

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@gregorycarroll6341 Thank you for sharing this and for your truly kind words! I deeply appreciate! All the best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@Kalimaco]

El auditorio debería estar lleno.... excelente interpretación.....

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas

[@100bestbooksofalltime]

Book 1 was pure metaphysics. I'm on the edge of my seat for this now ...

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for such kind words, and I so much appreciate your presence at the premiere this afternoon! It was a great pleasure to share this musical moment with you. All my best! Thomas

[@m.kulbida9441]

Now I know only this - like in the days of my youth, I will listen to Bach now, but only in the performance of Thomas

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you, I feel deeply humbled - all the best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@ShinichiNishikawa1]

I have listened to this many times for months, and I will be coming back here many times for decades.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly for your wonderful words and for your donation! I am truly happy that you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you, with blessings, Thomas

[@danieldillon6436]

One of the best performances of this work I've ever heard, up there with Gould, Schiff and Tureck. Thank you Mr Schwan you are a magnificent musician!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly, I am humbled! All the best to you! Thomas

[@agnespretot3057]

Magnifique interprétation du Clavier bien tempéré, ma préférée avec celle de Hyun-Jung Lim. Quel travail pour jouer de mémoire une œuvre pareille, quelle performance , quelle sensibilité, et quelle générosité de nous l'offrir! Jean-Sébastien Bach, pour moi le plus grand, a composé une musique divine, qui apaise, nourrit et élève l'âme. Vous le servez parfaitement. Merci infiniment!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly for this beautiful comment and for listening! I'm happy you are enjoying this interpretation. All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@manuelernestobernalesalvar1904]

Me recordo a Wanda Landowska

[@beehoney9357]

Quiet....calm...meditative...remote...esoteric...lonely...intrinsic...eternally tranquil. What Bach - among lot of other thing - embodies. Thank you Thomas. Wonderful.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much, what an inspiring comment! I am happy if these qualities could somehow transpire through my humble effort in interpretation... All the best to you and again thank you for such kind words, Thomas

[@rodrigolobos6742]

Siiiii tienes toda la razon en tu descripción. Pero yo diría espiritual... no esoterico. Es una musica tan ptofunda... como si naciera al contemplar a Dios!!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

​@@rodrigolobos6742 Thank you for your kind words, I totally agree about the fact that Bach's music is profoundly spiritual and unquestionably Christian in each and every note. At the same time, I believe he used the word "esoteric" in the sense of "mysterious", without any reference to non-Christian esoteric traditions (Kabbalah, Freemasonry etc.) - Thank you again for your wonderful words, all the best! Thomas

[@LangNungLarryMan]

27:12 onward. Extremely well and most precisely played.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you!

[@stefanopesaresi1481]

Ci sono due componenti nella musica del Clavicembalo ben temperato di Bach e che l'autore cerca di tenere insieme in perfetta armonia. L'anima dell'uomo di solito rappresentata dalla scala del soprano e l'anima di Dio di solito espressa nella scala dei bassi. Nello sviluppo musicale emerge il delicato romanticismo dell'anima di fronte al misterioso abisso dell'incommensurabile cui l'anima va incontro, innamorata alla ricerca del suo creatore. Ecco che l'anima si muove allora come una ballerina sull'orlo di un baratro e non può essere che affascinata e spaventata al tempo stesso. Bach ci porta in generale sempre sull'orlo di questo mistero che ha intravisto con ogni probabilità personalmente. Lungo i 24 preludi e fughe l'indagine cresce di intensità e Schwan è bravo a tenere l'ascoltatore sempre vigile sul dopo, che ci sarà per tutti dopo l'ultima fuga.

[@AntonellaDallapozza]

È così. Condivido appieno, con il cuore e con la ragione, quanto Stefano descrive. Aggiungo lo stupore, la gratitudine di fronte alla meraviglia dell'armonia della bellezza.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Grazie per l'ascolto, e per questo commento veramente profondo ed ispirato; un caro saluto! Thomas

[@anastasiacherkashyna8810]

Вы - великолепны! Я с самого детства в музыке Баха и многое играла сама. Но так, как вы передаете музыку, я слышу впервые. Мне кажется, в какой-то момент я перестала дышать. Особенно в тех произведениях, которые играла сама. Даже слезы навернулись на глаза. Вы талантливый, прекрасный пианист с тонкой душой и глубоким смыслом! And yes, I could write my comment in English, but I am afraid, that I can't find such words to express my thoughts...

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Anastasia, thank you for your wonderful comment and for your incredibly kind words. I feel truly humbled and honored when receiving words like these; and I feel truly happy that you are finding joy and meaning in this interpretation. All the best to you, and thank you again for your kindness, Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

Listening to Thomas Schwan in this recording of Bach music, I have the feeling that I am experiencing the infinite. It is a never-ending process of discovering new impressions inherent in this divine music that Tomas Schwan brings to life with every note, every phrase and every voice he plays.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dearest Paul, I feel deeply moved by these words. Thank you wholeheartedly for your kindness, as always. All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@TelesforoRptep]

@@ThomasSchwan Maratónico recital... compositor maravilloso ... interpretación verdadera... excelente servicio del KZbin.. muchas.gracias.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@TelesforoRptep Thank you for your kind words and for listening! All the best! Thomas

[@JoahnNorghe]

Perfect percetion !❤❤❤

[@anabellarusso4675]

Una experiencia fascinante para el alma y los oídos Felicitaciones Thomas eres un músico y pianista increíble 👏👏👏👏👏

[@ОльгаДержавина-е4н]

Виртуозу, исполняющего Баха с казалось бы неповторимой легкостью сложнейшие вариации БЛАГОДАРНОСТЬ безмерная! Поклон и тем, кто выставил ролик в Ютубе! ВСЕМ ЛЮДЯМ СЧАСТЬЯ И ПРЕКРАСНОЙ МУЗЫКИ!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Olga, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words, and I am happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you, Thomas

[@griottembf2405]

🍒MERVEILLE🌟 mais si peu de gens se déplacent pour CECI❓ alors que combien de fois pourrons nous l'entendre encore jouer de cette manière ❓ CECI fait très certainement Partie de la musique sur- humaine🙏✨

[@griottembf2405]

@@ThomasSchwan 💫 MERCI pour l'Art sur Terre,, le reflet du Diamant !🙏🌿💜

[@h39st]

Man wird in den Bann gezogen, kann nicht mehr aufhören. Hervorragende Wahrnehmung der Möglichkeiten des modernen Flügels.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much again! All the best! Thomas

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Ja, JS Bach liebte Fortschritte hin zu besseren Instrumenten und ist ganz sicher glücklich, wenn er die Darbietung von Thomas Schwan hört!!! JS Bach kommt voll durch, und es spielt keine Rolle, dass es zu Bachs Zeiten solche hochqualitativen Klaviere noch nicht gegeben hat. Hätte es sie gegeben, dann hätte er sie genutzt, weil er eben kein Kleingeist war sondern ein Welten-Genie, welches für immer und alle Musikliebhaber bleiben wird: Kurzum JS Bach forever!

[@MrVincent537]

The more I listen to this recording of Bach with Thomas Schwan, the more I think that this performance of Bach's music, through the myriad subtleties of musical expression down to the smallest detail, is actually the culmination of everything I've heard in Bach keyboard music in my entire life so far. Not only do I never tire of listening to this music over and over again, but each time I hear it, I feel more and more enriched by new musical experiences that I only become aware of when I listen to this music again. For example, I have just discovered that the theme of the fugue in F-sharp minor is the same theme in the first part of the Fourth Symphony by Johannes Brahms. Only a sensitive playing like that of Thomas Schwab can make this kind of paralells possible. In order to really realize what I am writing here, you can listen to the same fuge with Glenn Gould in the following link. In my opinion it is a scandal, an insult to Bach's music, a shame: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppvRfKiemMt1bLc

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dearest Paul, thank you for these incredible words, as well - that is true, I hadn't noticed the similarity between the F sharp minor fugue theme and Brahms' 4th! All the best, with blessings!! Thomas

[@angelicafriasmd]

​@ThomasSchwan ky thank you Thomas for your flawless and emotional performance. I keep on listening to your music.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@angelicafriasmd Thank you for your truly kind words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas

[@johnnyjordan9305]

This ought to be released on physical or digital. It sounds so good and is played so well. I’d buy.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your truly kind words and for listening! All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@subirmanush]

Phenomenal. Bach ..like his music should be. Pure as spring water, flowing free of unnecessary emphasis and expression and flourish.What joy .. tone and technique and musical intellect thank you 🙏 the hall should have been full. What a performance .

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, your truly kind words, and for listening! I feel humbled! All the very best to you, with Blessings! Thomas

[@som2601]

“Pure as spring water…” what an apt description!

[@greatglory49]

it is sound from heaven. only Angel can play it so beautifully.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful words, I am happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you! Thomas

[@studioscienzacultura]

Raga (zzi) qui c'è Musica, fermiamoci un attimo davanti a Lui e ad un'interpretazione eccelsa, top.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Gentile Lorenzo, grazie di cuore per l'ascolto e per queste bellissime parole! Sono onorato! Un caro saluto, Thomas

[@ArmenFKaz]

Very interesting and new interpretation of JS Bach. I love the way Thomas introducing Bach's WTC. Bravo!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your truly kind words and for listening! All the best to you, Thomas

[@sanjosemike3137]

I would describe Thomas Schwan as "anti-Glenn Gould" in the most positive way possible. Mozart always said he wanted his work to sound like "flowing" oil smoothness. This is completely putting aside the impossible ability to actually memorize these works for performance level. Thomas, this is beyond beautiful. I have no idea how you were able to accomplish this. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Mike, thank you wholeheartedly for your wonderful comment and for these generous words; I feel truly grateful and humbled! All the best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Ja, Thomas Schwan macht keine show wie manche seiner "berühmten" Vorgänger sondern besticht durch seine einzigartige Authentizität! Danke schön für Ihren erhellenden Kommentar!

[@damongatewood795]

1000 bravos for the boldness and preparation of the WTC book 2 for a LIVE Performance! Congratulations!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for listening! Happy New Year!! Thomas

[@frankr.6578]

About 40 years ago, I had my first encounter with this musical universe, left behind by Bach and spread out by Gulda. I was in my twens, and although I then was into classical music for almost 10 years, it felt like enlightenment, musically and humanly... during the last 12 months I've been listening to lots of renditions by Lang, Koroliov and many other great pianists... but listening to you, for the first time I felt like 40 years ago.... thank you... this is pure healing.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dearest Frank, I feel profoundly moved by your comment. What you wrote here is priceless to me, beyond what words can say. If this interpretation makes you feel spiritually at home, this means complete fulfillment of my purpose as a humble interpreter. A great relief, indeed. Thank you wholeheartedly. Thomas

[@LangNungLarryMan]

Watching this great video is like a good preparation for my pianoforte diploma exam from one of the 48.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Once more, I am truly happy to hear that, and that you find these performances musically inspiring. All the best to you! Thomas

[@mrsmokpiano]

It will make millions of views one day. I love everything in C minor from Bach for some reason. The Invention, French Suite, Partita and both preludes and fugues from WTC are just masterpieces.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening! All the best to you! Thomas

[@briandavid8077]

Truly one of the best key signatures of Bach’s inventive writing, agreed! I also enjoy his keyboard pieces in F minor

[@Alex-iu7dl]

@@briandavid8077 same for d minor. Art of the Fugue, Chromatic Fantasy and fugue in D, Toccata and Fugue in D etc. It's also a parallel minor to F :)

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Yes, sure the c-minor-pieces are outstanding but Mr. Schwan makes it easy to get every part of the 96 pieces to be experienced as unique inspirations for the soul!

[@dral9971]

Finally someone who takes both J.S Bach and the audience seriously. This fills me with hope.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such kind words and for listening! I wish you a wonderful New Year! Thomas

[@한빛힐링정화]

바흐 평균율 2권 전체를 감상할 수 있어서 정말 행복합니다 감사합니다 열정에 뜨거운 박수를 보냅니다. 항상 기쁜날 되세요

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and your kind words! All the very best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@mattb-iq3iv]

Not many pianists in the world can play so many fugues from memory. incredible :)

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such kind words and for listening! All the best! Thomas

[@oscargranda5385]

El entiende lo que toca...lo vive.....años de estudio....me recuerda a Glenn gould

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@oscargranda5385 Dear Oscar, you are so kind, thank you!! Thomas

[@DearProfessorRF]

True artists and humanists give 100% to their work whether it is presented in front of two people or 5000 people… 🙏🏻💙

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly, what a wonderful comment! All the best to you! Thomas

[@DearProfessorRF]

@@ThomasSchwan absolutely dear Thomas. All the very best to you as well.

[@lorne577]

Absolutely.. no ego.. it’s all about challenging the music

[@ThomasSchwan]

@lorne577 Thank you! All the best to you! Thomas

[@lorne577]

I meant to say channeling the music.. My phone was a bit presumptuous..

[@nickrussell8323]

THOMAS SHWANN your soul is like that of Bach himself. You are what they call in Russian a blagodushniy chelovyek - a person with a great soul who is capable of lifting human beings to a higher level of humanity. You combine perfection of form with exquisitely expressed lyricism.

[@nickrussell8323]

Apologies- It is Schwann

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Nick, what tremendously kind words you have for me!! Of course I truly appreciate these sensational words, but I am very much an ordinary man with the problems of an ordinary man, nothing special!! Anyway, I so much appreciate these words and I am truly happy that you are enjoying this interpretation. Finding a point of balance between form and lyricism has been very much my hope and my focus, and I recognize that it is extremely hard with Bach, as the music can become either too personal or too objective, if one steers too much in either direction; if you perceive this kind of balance in my playing, it is a tremendous achievement to me. Thank you! All the best to you! (P.S. My name is Schwan, with one N, it literally means "Swan" in German... no big deal)

[@nickrussell8323]

tochno spasibo!

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Die geniale Phrasierung auch unter Benutzung der Pedale führt zu einem transparenten Musik-Erlebnis!!! Echt gut lieber Herr Schwan!!! Sorry for an additonal remark: The more often I listen to this performance the more I come to the conclusion, that Thomas Schwan sets a standard here; he plays in a way that you hear the themes and riffs very clearly so that you get an transparent impression of each piece of WK II; the same words are true for WTC I also. These two videos (WTC I and WTC II) are my favourites for meditation; simply wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing these master-editions!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Happy New Year - and thank you so much for your wonderful words and for listening! I am truly happy that these interpretations are meaningful to you. All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, once more, thank you wholeheartedly for your beautiful words. All the best to you! Thomas

[@begshallots]

This is enjoyable Bach! He does’t rely on the annoying piano tricks that many mainstream interpreters on the modern piano employ. It’s such a delight.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly for such kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@cadriver2570]

Seriously! This just sounds so good.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@cadriver2570 Thank you so much! All the best! Thomas

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Yes, why not? JS Bach himself liked to use modern inventions. So he is fore sure very happy to listen to this high-quality-interpretations of the 96 fundamental music-pieces which according to Mozart are "The old testament" of all music. And also modern musicians like Keith Jarret point out that JS Bach layed the ground for all modern music. At the same time JS Bach uses the old traditions to direct us for more than 300 years now. "Er ist Ausgangspunkt aller Musik nach ihm und gleichzeitig fasst er die bewährten älteren Traditionen zusammen.

[@MrVincent537]

Dear Thomas, I want to emphasize to you a million times over and over again that you are the very best Bach player of all time. After I discovered you, out of curiosity I looked up all sorts of other Bach interpreters on youtube even more intensively and even if I was pleasantly surprised at some at the beginning, very soon it began to really stink of rigidity and "conceptual" interpretation. Your playing of Bach music means not only for me, after what others also write about your playing on KZbin, the absolute liberation of Bach music by letting this music sound the way it was conceived by Bach: simply expressing music without disturbing factors of any kind. Bach was unique and you render in your playing his uniqueness in the minutest detail, your whole rendering of Bach music being so complex and at the same time so selfunderstood and natural as the roots and the branches of a big old tree. The fluctuations in dynamics and tempo of your Bach playing are so genuine for Bach music that they seem to me to be as inseparable from Bach music as the sides of a sheet of paper. Every time I hear your Bach playing, my awareness of this music you play expands like yeast into warmth and moisture. And also the pauses between the individual pieces are so organic to the whole music as everything else in your playing.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dearest Paul, once again, I feel humbled and profoundly honored by your words. They are invaluable to me, more than I can say. All the very best to you, with blessings, Thomas

[@binduwolf983]

Incredibly light and airy like a feather. Beautiful

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your truly kind words and for listening! All the best! Thomas

[@jordifranch7426]

2 hours and a half of most complex music by Johann Sebastian Bach without score, learnt by heart and mind. A feat of artistry and lyrical music.Bravo.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas

[@IvanGreindl]

Une interprétation sobre mais sensible, sans esbrouffe ; une technique éblouissante. "Bravo l'Artiste !" 👏

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Ivan, thank you so much, what wonderful words! I feel truly honored! And thank you for listening! :) All the best, and I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas! Thomas

[@blondellemarie-jeanne3845]

Toujours un émerveillement d écouter jouer ce pianiste, qui comprend si bien Bach.❤❤❤❤❤🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! I feel truly honored! All the best to you, Thomas

[@mashtali1]

Fantastic artist. Just seeing the artist answers to all comments, shows how great a person he is and his playing shows how down to earth he is: NO personalizing, NO funny nuances or dynamics or tempos... just clean music. Long time ago, when I was a student, I always listened to a few big names, Now I definitely prefer modern performers like this pianist to old famous names. The modern performances are distancing from personalizing and becoming more modest and true to the music and composer.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your extremely kind words, and for listening! I am very impressed by your comment as I share your same exact feelings as a listener. What you are describing - a kind of selflessness - might well be the new Zeitgeist, the new spirit of the age, although it's not yet fully visible. After the 20th Century, arguably a very "ego-centered" time (after all a time of obsession with self-image, career, stardom, competitions, etc., although the institutionalization of ego in art has its roots well into the 19th Century), we might be collectively and unconsciously reacting as a generation, as we are thirsting for more simplicity, authenticity, and selflessness. Naturally I am very far from freeing myself from ego, I am no saint, but I definitely strive towards and thirst for a certain selflessness in art. I appreciate your incredible comment and I am truly happy we can establish this kind of communication here. And again, thank you so much for listening and for your kindness! All the best, Happy New Year, Thomas

[@mashtali1]

​@@ThomasSchwan the clarity, articulation, delicate phrasing, and remarkable balance and specially your humble sound is magnetic. Since yesterday that I saw your video, I have come back 3 times to listen again. Good luck.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@mashtali1 Thank you also for these wonderful words!! I feel truly honored and humbled... All the best to you! Thomas

[@alankorea4721]

I saw all comments, I cried. never happened before. we need more artists like Tom Swan :)

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@alankorea4721 Dear Alan - thank you, so kind!!... All the best to you, Thomas

[@CaldonianBoar]

This really is music-making of the first order. His interpretations declare themselves as very clearly his own, without being ostentatious about it, ala Gould or Richter.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such incredible words, I am humbled! All the best to you! Thomas

[@CaldonianBoar]

@@ThomasSchwan You're welcome! You do realize that you now owe the world your version of Die Kunst Der Fugue, don't you?

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@CaldonianBoar Thank you for mentioning that! It is actually among my next projects! Hope to be able to share a recording as soon as possible. All the best! Thomas

[@yipptyyip]

People in Texas ought have yet to come in bigger numbers to appreciate Bach and this beautiful performance.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your kind words - all the best! Thomas

[@walterkent5574]

I've been playing and replaying both Book 1 and Book 2 for months. I keep coming back for more because you've merged yourself with Bach and produced one of the clearest, cleanest, soulful performances, equal to the best of them. Thank you so very much, Thomas.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such extraordinary words, I am more than happy that you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you! Thomas

[@ОльгаПидченко-п3д]

Как будто сам Бах разговаривает с нами! Спасибо огромное, Томас, за вашу вдохновенную игру!!! Я просто в восторге от такого прочтения ХТК! Темпы, фактура, звук!!!! Я просто погружаюсь в музыку, ваша игра не отпускает ни на мгновение!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful words, and I am truly happy that you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best, with blessings! Thomas

[@ElenaCliment]

This is one of the best interpretations I have heard of Bach's Well Tempered Clavier, it is completely authentic. The amazing technique is only the starting point.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for such kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@doublenickel1000]

i am moved to worship hearing this. That's probably what Bach intended. Thank you, Thomas.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for such wonderful comment. Yes, I am also profoundly moved to worship by this music, which is imbued with authentic Christian spirituality and mysticism in every note. If anything in my playing humbly contributed to carrying through this message, it is perhaps the greatest achievement I can imagine. Thank you so much again for such great comment. All the best! Thomas

[@briangorman1079]

In the first piece, it's either the pedaling or the duration he holds the notes but there's more carry-over here than i've heard before and i really love it!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your kind words, and for listening! This is really something I was striving towards a lot - yes, definitely a combination of very active pedaling, note holding, and seeking the best resonance and directional attack to each sound - so I am truly happy to read this!! Thank you so much and I wish you Happy New Year! Thomas

[@briangorman1079]

@@ThomasSchwan Pretty honored to have a musician of your caliber respond! This video showcases your mindblowing capability as a musician and artist - I wish you the very best in your career, Thomas.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@briangorman1079 Thank you! :)

[@PlayBetterJazz]

Incredible! I've been playing for over 25 years and can't imagine the amount of work that went into learning it all, much less memorizing it all AND being able to play it beautifully for an audience! Well done and Bravo!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for such kind words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

After not listening to this video with Thomas Schwan for a few months, I hear it like a completely new video that amazes my ears and my soul.I would have a lot to say about the music in this video again, but due to time constraints I'll keep it very short: There is no pianist in this world who has played or plays so musically expressive and 100% in the spirit of Bach. And where the hell are the microphones that reproduce such a brilliant piano sound?

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, thank you for these wonderful words and it's great to hear from you again! All the best and talk soon! Thomas

[@assezzen194]

As a non expert of music who doesn't know Bach's work, it's probably my very first listening of this piece (of my whole life, at age 45!). I enjoyed this great interpretation by heart, without music sheets (!). It's as if Schwan was channeling Bach from another dimension. (ps: I didn't know Bach could be so melodic, etheral and light...)

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for such kind words! What an honor for me to be the first interpreter of this work you are listening to - and I am truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you, and Happy New Year!! Thomas

[@L1102]

I have never heard the WTC played any better

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you, so kind! Happy New Year! Thomas

[@L1102]

@@ThomasSchwan Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you too. Please keep up sharing your masterful playing, its so enjoyable and insightful! Do you have any CDs recorded one can buy?

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@L1102 Thank you again for such kind words! Alas I have no CDs out, at least yet... All the best to you! Thomas

[@L1102]

@@ThomasSchwan Thank you, very kind. That is unfortunate i would love to hear more of you. I cant applaud you enough. I wish you all the best !

[@MrBassflute]

Sweet, simple, accurate, lyrical, elegant, a very true rendition of Bach’s intent, I believe, even on a modern piano. Intimate and heart-warming.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your truly wonderful words and for listening! I am happy that this interpretation resonates with you! All the best and Happy New Year, Thomas

[@CLAYMEISTER]

I am dumbfounded. The musical grasp this man has is astounding! I hope your life, Mr. Schwan, is otherwise "normal"... or do you step in and out of this world at will, only appearing for events like this? As others have already alluded to... where is your publicist? The auditorium should have been packed!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for listening and for your incredibly kind words! Yes, I am actually very grateful to be having a "normal" life :) Thank you so much again for your wonderful words, all the best to you, with blessings! Thomas

[@Polisfilm]

Völlig unverständlich, warum der Saal fast leer ist. Faszinierende Performance eines großen Pianisten. Thomas Schwan made may day.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Mr. Hobrecht, thank you so much for listening and for your truly wonderful words! I am happy you are enjoying this interpretation. All the best to you, Thomas

[@corvanha1]

Weniger Husten...

[@MiilosVarcakovic]

This guy reignited my passion for classical music. Haven't listened on it for 3 years, but here I am, 1h 45 minutes in. Enjoying.. Really good job, what an interpretation! Beautiful! Probably as close to Bach as we will come in the modern age.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Milos, thank you for listening, and for these wonderful words; I am moved! All the very best to you! Humbly, Thomas

[@andreandreo3184]

Genius!! Thomas, It´s absolutely awesome you play all 24 preludes and fugues from memory!! Unbelieveable why the concert hall isn't full of people to delight with your magnificent performance, full of love, passion, tecnique and Bach's spirit!! I subscribed to your channel with great admiration!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Andre, thank you for these incredibly kind words, I deeply appreciate!! And thank you for listening! All the very best to you, with blessings, Thomas

[@jeffc1736]

@@ThomasSchwan when are you going back to Dallas??? I want to see you play

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@jeffc1736 Actually I live in Dallas! You'll certainly know from this channel when I'll play a Bach program here again. I hope as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your interest! All the best, Thomas

[@jeffc1736]

@@ThomasSchwan Thanks. As a European do you find it difficult to live in Dallas compared to more cultural treasures and classical music tradition in Europe?

[@ThomasSchwan]

​@@jeffc1736 Honestly I am honored to be living in Dallas and in Texas; while there may be less cultural events than in a large European city (and only in terms of quantity, not quality) there is a great simplicity of heart and enthusiasm in the people of Texas that I greatly value and admire, among many other things!

[@Mohabpiano]

Freshly played Bach with the lyricism, psychological sensitivity, and musicality it deserves, and which is anyway probably closer to how he heard it internally.. congrats on this massive achievement!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for such incredible words! I feel truly humbled! All the best, with blessings, Thomas

[@traditionalgirl5585]

Amazingly sensitive...

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your wonderful words! All the best! Thomas

[@Professor694]

Какой огромный труд, выучить такой объём полифонической музыки! Маэстро, поклон Вам от нас!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for your truly kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@pepepeperino6610]

​. Vielen dank her fur musik

[@democolor42]

очень изысканный и уникальный, отличный слух. для меня было открытием найти это выступление на ютубе

[@ThomasSchwan]

@democolor42 Thank you so much for your incredible words!! All the best to you! Thomas

[@fishingasart9540]

1-й том вообще на ряду с великим Рихтером одно из лучших исполнений. Тоже был удивлён, что не знал этого исполнителя раньше. @@democolor42

[@jmarcus888]

This is just astonishing. What a tour de force. I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this by accident. The voicing and phrasing here is simply perfect, all the way through. Thank you so, so much, Mr. Schwan. Easily my new favorite performance of this work.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for your kind words, I am happy that this interpretation resonates with you! All the very best, Thomas

[@bobleroe3859]

I find myself listening to this over-and-over. How can anyone tire of Bach? And these pieces are so interesting.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening - all the best to you! Thomas

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Yes, these 96 pieces are interesting one by one; one gets never tired to listen one by one. It is a unique wonder given by the divine source Himself through the servant of god named JS Bach!

[@karlliu6010]

Thanks!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your donation! I appreciate! All the best, with blessings, Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

Just trying to listen to other pianists playing the same music of Bach proves to me every time the inherent pure truth of Bach's music as played only by Thomas Schwan. Since there is no one like Bach, there is no other pianist who plays Bach's music so pure of everything else as "stile" and other alibis to give a reason for the inability to feel the music itself, completing this inability with various ego anomalies because of not being able to just play the music itself.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, thank you for your wonderful words as always; of course, from my humble standpoint, I tend to hear what I could always do better, more expressively, or with more freedom, without comparing myself to others (where the risk of either a positive or a negative comparison is exactly the same, as it reinforces ego-resistance either way). I completely agree with you that the excessive concern for "style" and other surface elements in our times is a sign of cultural-artistic decadence, quantitative thinking, and inability to live the essence of the music in absolute terms, always needing to 'relativize' and pursue forms of validation that are measurable. In essence, a lack of comfort with the dimension of the ineffable. That is, of course, a spiritual issue more than anything. All the best and talk soon! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

@ThomasSchwan "... to live the essence of the music in absolute terms": What a fantastically precise definition of your playing of Bach's music!!!

[@annabyers4747]

Thank you for beautiful performance. We all enjoy your music at our office in DuPont Circle Washington DC ....It reminded me my piano lessons in Kyiv, Ukraine... 10 years at school with J.S.Bach.. I am grateful to my teachers who made this choice .. I have been invited to the best concerts everywhere now.. Dziekuje bardzo za wspaniala muzyke

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for your truly kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

In Thomas Schwan's Bach play there is so much light and so much musical serenity, as if the music were coming straight from Bach's head without a player. Yes, that's exactly how it is and I will let this incredible recording accompany me in a loop from beginning to end into the new year.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you also for these wonderful words, dear Paul - I feel so moved that you mention "light" and "serenity" - and what a honor to be accompanying you into the new year with this music! Again, wishing you a most wonderful New Year!! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

​@@ThomasSchwan Dear Thomas, I begin to understand when I hear you play Bach, and this recording in particular, that the light and musical serenity in your playing springs from a deep humility and simplicity as great and true as the words of a saint. Your Bach playing is sacred, and in my opinion you are a saint, at least when you play Bach's keyboard music. I wish you from the bottom of my heart that you have the necessary resources and time to record everything Bach wrote for keyboard music. Thank you for your serene Bach playing full of light and in the great humility of a saint. Once again, I wish you a wonderful New Year full of musical happiness, health and everything you truly deserve. In 45 minutes in Germany, where I live, the new year will arrive when I will continue hearing your Bach playing. WHAT A BLESSING!!!!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Paul, what you just wrote is profoundly moving to me. On a personal level I am - no doubt about it - a bad sinner and I can only hope in the vastness of God's mercy in this life and the next. It is truly moving to me to know that you perceived such moral qualities in this interpretation, and even more moving that you value so deeply the moral dimension in music - something that is strangely neglected by many - and a sign that we are all used by the Spirit to bring forth and anticipate God's kingdom in this world in unforeseeable ways (sorry if, following your message, I began expressing myself with such religious undertones, but I am speaking directly from the heart...). Once more, I thank you for such deep communication and for the generosity of your words - and once more I wish you and your family a Happy New Year!! All the best!! Thomas

[@MrVincent537]

@@ThomasSchwan Dear Thomas, you may be a sinner, but the art and the true musical expresison needs sinners like you. All other pianists I have heard play Bach hey are playing the music either rigidly here and there or are bringing additional personal characteristics into their interpretation that don't actually belong to the music and so the pianists kill the music instead of bringing it to life. By in no way escaping the music, but following the music very closely and thus allowing the music to speak to itself, you are a musical saint.

[@ThomasSchwan]

@@MrVincent537 Dear Paul, I think I understand what kind of spiritual problem and spiritual process you are outlining! I feel truly humbled that you see this in me, and that my efforts have paid so much. Honestly, I cannot imagine a better outcome. Praying that my spirit will always remain free and ready to act this way. Thank you so much again, wholeheartedly. And again, Happy New Year!! Thomas

[@carstenkling2566]

My extraordinary admiration for this excellent recording! The complete WTC II by heart. I'm still completely speechless. Some tempos surprised me, but in a pleasant way. I think even JS Bach would have been very impressed if he could hear your outstanding interpretations.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Carsten, thank you for such kind words, and for listening! I am truly happy that you enjoy this interpretation. All the best! Thomas

[@carstenkling2566]

@@ThomasSchwan All the best and Merry Christmas, Thomas!

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Yes JS Bach is very impressed by this interpretation for sure! You are right! Thank you Carsten! yours Paul Augsburger from south-germany

[@musological]

What a privilege to be in the audience there

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for your truly kind words! All the best to you! Thomas

[@RonaldSala]

If this planet only produced Bach it would be enough. Beautiful rendering! Brought tears to my eyes.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you so much for your words, for listening, and for your donation - I am truly happy your are enjoying this interpretation. All the best to you! Thomas

[@Parivadi_dasa]

Yes it is heart-touching! Very important for us to come to tears in these dry materialistic times we live in! Bach touchs our hearts because he composed for the glory of god and the inspirations of the listeners!

[@pittssr]

Wow! Such a serene and flawless performance, in my old home town (where I was in med school in the 70s - I vividly remember baritone Gerard Souzay at SMU). I'm especially attuned to these pieces because I'm in the middle of a long WTC jag in the form of the Andras Schiff recordings. Each piece a different kind of jewel. Your own tempi are different from the Schiff standard, and lend a wonderful new perspective in some cases. Thanks for having the nerve to do this live without a score. It's a treasure

[@ThomasSchwan]

Dear Steve, thank you for such kind words and for listening! Happy that you enjoy this interpretation. So, you are from Dallas and you know SMU - great!! The hall where this concert took place is actually the main concert hall at SMU Meadows; I imagine you most likely recognized it... A fantastic hall acoustically, in my opinion. Again, I so much appreciate your kind words, and I wish you a most wonderful Christmas! All the best, Thomas

[@lorenzagrasso4454]

Un Bach come deve essere. Una grande e bellissima tecnica senza alcun sfoggio di virtuosismo. Un intervallo di tempo affacciato sul trascendente. Che BRAVO!

[@ThomasSchwan]

Grazie, che splendido commento, bellissima immagine poetica che centra il contenuto e lo scopo di questa musica. Grazie di cuore per l'ascolto e le gentilissime parole! Thomas

[@lorenzagrasso4454]

@@ThomasSchwan grazie a te per le 2 ore di bellezza

[@michaeltaylor4752]

I saw the empty Hall and thought to myself all this guy must not be very good. Man was I wrong I'm Amazed. I subscribed for more of this guy.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for the kind words and for listening, Michael! Be in touch! All the best, Thomas

[@SynBladeswift]

とても自然で素晴らしい演奏ですね。 ずっと聴いていたいです。

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you wholeheartedly, I am truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you! Thomas

Ich bedanke mich ganz herzlich für Ihre wunderware Interpretation Herr Schwan.

[@ThomasSchwan]

Thank you for listening and for your wonderful words! All the best to you! Thomas