BWV 1001 Fugue by J. S. Bach, performed by Stephanie Jones

[@amadeusmozart2735]

Dear Miss Jones, I am a Violinist I know very well this piece that I played for more than 30 years, and it is one of the most difficult pieces for Violin and one of the most profound music written by JS Bach, you are an intelligent musicians of vast talent. I am abashed by your musicality, the choice of the guitar, the flawless and brilliant interpretation and the choice of the fingers positions, and the sterling quality of your sound. My compliments. And thanks for the music. Really.

[@frankhorvath817]

Yes this is somewhat difficult piece for violin, but that is primarily due to the anatomy of the violin: The four strings are arranged in an arch so only notes on adjacent strings are available for double stringing. This little problem is overcome on the guitar and mechanically this piece is not so difficult. The big BUT is all the rest: musicality, phrasing, technique, and a god given talent to understand and interpret this piece in a beautiful way as she does. I would also add that when I play this piece it comes much as she would play it if she were wearing heavy leather welder’s gloves.

[@paulwhetstone0473]

@@frankhorvath817Well articulated and funny as you know what comment on a comment.

[@paulwhetstone0473]

Beautifully stated comment on a a beautiful work of art on a beautiful instrument played by a beautiful musician. Sorry for all the beautifuls.

[@CieloVistaSoftware]

I played acoustic guitar for 45 years, and her execution here is better than anyone I've heard. Notice there's almost zero fret noise as she effortlessly works the entire fretboard. I've never heard that happen before. Purely astounding.

[@deadpeoplestuff5686]

a wonderful talent, would the lack of fret noise be as a result of it being 'fretless' finger-board?

[@MrMittens1974]

There is clearly some fret noise and clearly there are frets.

[@CieloVistaSoftware]

@@deadpeoplestuff5686 it's not fretless, the strings are not wound either. But her grace in lifting off and then moving onto another note is sharp, quick and highly accurate. She displays perfect left hand technique.

[@deadpeoplestuff5686]

@@CieloVistaSoftware thanks John. I had wondered whether tor not he struts may just be inlays within wood of the fingerboard rather than actual raised frets, because the sound is so clean and relaxed..airy. wonderful

[@koshersalaami]

deadpeople stuff If the neck were fretless, the guitar would sound different. You get a clearer sound pulling a string over a metal fret than by just pressing the string to the neck with your fingertip.

[@roberthunt1540]

As someone who has studied and listened to classical guitar for over 50 years, I will say this woman is playing at a level of maturity seldom reached by players three times her age. Bravissima! PS. listening to this two years later . . . I'm out of breath by the end! Astonishing performance.

[@oliverbrochu1466]

yes, and at the same time she really "plays", the way a child does totally absorbed in their imagination

[@brandonTHEshiados]

Indeed

[@Randall_Kildare]

Her accuracy & phrasing are incredible. Someone who plays with that much 'feeling' & charisma usually blows a note or two, & we forgive them for their passion; but she's so polished & fluid at once. Really something special.

[@quentin48394]

@@oliverbrochu1466 Not only kids can be absorbed in their imagination, maybe she is, while playing ;)

[@joshuaszeto]

She has done something most musicians can only dream of... Express herself with technique and mastery while her body still allows for it. I'm already experiencing the failures of my body that is starting to limit my craft.

[@logicalandtruth]

I fall into the illusion of listening to the goddess's performance.

[@paulahassi-puttock250]

What a fantastic talent this young Stephanie has. Bravo.

[@jaikee9477]

There is still hope for this world as long as young people perform Bach.❤

She makes it look so effortless.

[@DevilViolinist]

Yes, whereas with violinists who play it 'decently' at best still can't make it look effortless. I'm sure Bach wrote this at the harpsichord first and then decided to give the violin a challenge ;) The guitar is a nice choice of instrument for playing an arrangement of this piece!

[@andrewdavis5913]

And honestly if you imagine she probably practiced it so much that it is probably effortless for her

[@ianmorgan889]

That's what hours and hours and hours of practice can deliver-along with bleeding fingertips! but Oh, how it is so worthwhile!

[@dongee6351]

Beautifully played as 9000 people can see.......Can any of the 97 people who put a thumbs down explain why because I cannot see any reason at all.

[@writereducator]

The future of the classical guitar is in good hands.

[@anarchic_ramblings]

And the past!

[@arroyo3320]

Dxxxii789iisi

[@Jean-Pierre-PETIT]

I agree

[@NiltonCPires]

The future and past! Glory Jesus!

[@leondeste1]

Bonito demais,parabéns!!!Você já tocou peças do Villa-Lobos?!

[@mahlonrhoades4509]

magnificent. I loved everything about this performance. The dynamics, the rubato, the articulation, the way the voices are isolated, the sophisticated and agile ornamentation, the light and shade and colour changes. Just wow. And that cool guitar. What an artist!

[@tlabelle1965]

The best part of this for me is that Stephanie is only five years post-graduation from her honours course. This means many more years of enjoyment, and (gasp) even more refinement! Beautifully done, as always.

[@veranet99]

I love watching a musician's face when she's "in the zone". Her expressions add so much character to the experience.

[@boredgrass]

I didn't know the guitar can be played with such precision and buoyancy! It's breathtaking.

[@nassreddin3064]

astounding. I tried for years to play this, and I know others who also tried: and failed. not only that, but this surpasses the recording (in my opinion) I grew up with of Segovia playing this piece.

[@alexandernemtsev3142]

Steph is one of the greatest performers I know. I listen to many and find her one of the best.

[@geoffayling3392]

Absolutely exquisite. I think that this is about as good as it gets. I’m sure that somewhere up there, JSB has a smile on his face.

[@ullinator1388]

Du hast es echt drauf! Wunderbare Perfomance! Möge dich Odin segnen, bis ans Ende der Zeit!

[@Thaumh]

OMG! In 1982, my mum treated herself to a vinyl of classic guitar music for her birthday. This was track 1! She and I loved that record to death. TY for memory lane.

[@ronaldomadrebien7045]

Thaumh ............Your Mum chose wisely

[@TheTerryzip]

superb musicianship!

[@Fell_Wanderer]

This song appeared in my suggestions feed to watch and after clicking on the link, I couldn't switch off from this wonderful and perfect performance. I'm not a great lover of classical music but this piece left me wanting more. I've been playing guitar for about 40 years and don't practice enough to be at this level. I can honestly tell you this lady is a genius. Thanks for sharing, this means a lot.

[@TheGuitologist]

This was quite impressive. One of the best renditions of this piece I’ve ever heard.

[@ian6032]

I second, Segovia or Yepes couldn't have done it better!

[@Unwoll]

I am impressed, Stephanies and Julian Bream's interpretation are my absolute favorites.

[@etiennenobel5028]

Absolutely brilliant

[@jonhansen100]

Love your hard work. It shows. Be with me always. Never stop. Stephanie Jones. I shook Andre Segovia's hand when I was a child. You, Steph, are walking with the master. Breathless.

[@ericgendell8874]

Stephanie is better than Segovia was.

[@LeonAguileraRadford]

Bach's music touches me in many ways, from fantastic math abstractions to pure sensory delights. Your interpretation, rendition, of this particular piece is beautiful and flawlessly played. Wonderful! If he could hear you now, Yepes would have been proud of you!

[@d.macrae461]

For your math abstractions, 1001 is a 'litmus number' for factoring: a product of the pure primes 7, 11, and 13. 😀

[@jacquesgelinas820]

Les larmes me viennent aux yeux en écoutant cette interprétation, Merci madame!

[@___Chris___]

My favorite Bach piece for guitar. Very nice interpretation!

[@asgoul2]

I don't know one thing about music. But I'm human and I recognize beauty. This is beyond and above beautiful. Thank you Stephanie.

[@1963mathetes]

Sublime. Found this while looking for something else altogether, this was serendipitous. This young lady plays with an intensity and sensitivity that bely her years. If she released a CD of this music, I would buy it.

[@patricksmith1319]

Have a look on her website to see what is available

[@hilariousgas]

you are absolutely unbelievable, i have no words!

[@crackmassage]

It does indeed also work very beautifully on guitar! Absolutely sublime. Thank you

[@grehuy]

An artist out of a dream, going beyond all technique, creating the wish to fly away from this room into the fields of a sunny day, not wanting to be limited by what eyes can see.

[@andrew3979]

I don't think people understand how great she is.

[@hernanmedranosoto]

Don't really have to understand her, just love her

[@andrew3979]

@@hernanmedranosotomakes perfect sense

[@ericgendell8874]

I understood the first time I saw her.

[@francoismolline9652]

Extraordinaire. Jamais entendu un jeu aussi fluide. Pas une erreur, pas une hésitation, et surtout tout le jaillissement de Bach dans cette très belle vidéo. Merci.

[@tekannon7803]

Very well performed. Note perfect. Bravo Stéphanie!

[@kat6186]

J.S.Bach was a genius. She played it great it’s not easy playing Bach even on the piano .. Great job! 🎶One of my fav composer

[@julianitabesos7446]

Bach is my favorite composer and classic musician.

[@jahnnyquest]

I love practicing Bach because it adds ear training review AND facility/technique review which enrich me as a jazz musician!

[@bghoody5665]

@@jahnnyquest A Jazz musician who practices by playing Bach. Fascinating. I wonder if that's how the organ part for A Whiter Shade Of Pale came about?

[@gardenvariety9957]

@@bghoody5665 many jazz musicians are Bach fanatics! ☺

[@ofdrumsandchords]

​@Susan Moran Jacques Loussier "Play Bach" . Yes, great pianist with André Arpino on dms and sorry, I don't remember who played the double bass, but incredible job on jazzing JSB.

[@arijitkumarhaldar3197]

Today is his death anniversary

[@АлексейАкатьев-о2ы]

Виртуозное исполнение Баха. Спасибо Стефани Джонс. Я получил огромное удовольствие от вашей игры. Благодарю за видео.

[@paulf559]

You are truly astonishing, Stephanie. It's stuff like this that will raise the bar to a level that few will ever reach. I hope that you will continue to record more Bach. Your rendition was very moving.

[@GeezEU]

I love your “reading” of the Bach pieces, the emphasis you place makes it easier for me to understand the work, and many difficult points are now clear to me. Thank you!!!

[@ironeagle7458]

Wonderful performance. I now am adding your version to my existing list of players of this Bach gem. You...and Julian Bream. Thabk you for also playing it and letting us hear it on this incredible 'replica' period instrument. Fantastic tone and rich sound.

[@bassdivamtm]

I love the way you play Bach.

[@johannesbusch8161]

Verve and sensitivity! Very, very beautiful and impressing interpretation. Thx a lot for sharing!

[@nca1952]

One of the best, without a doubt, and best interpretation I've ever heard of this piece ❤.

[@teakpeke3460]

Stephanie, you are the purest form of a guitarist. I seldom get perfection in life, but your playing makes my eyes moist and my heart sing.

[@Lepewhi]

I have listened to her play on KZbin many times. When you hear her play, you know that she's an artist. Usually when you hear that someone plays guitar, you think in a band, or folk or rock. But, when you hear what the guitar was meant to do, it''s a breath of fresh air.

[@iamperplexed4695]

Its not so much that this is what it was meant to do but that this is the music being written at the same time the instrument was developed.

[@ObviusRetard]

This is beautiful, but all those elitists could shut up for all I care. All music is beautiful.

[@jytou]

Not sure how she does it but everything is flawless and with the right “feel” and passion, be it Bach, Tango or Flamenco. Amazing.

[@Chrismacleod777]

Beautiful! Stephanie - you are fabulous! Thanks for posting! 🎸🎻🎶🌹🥰💐🦋🌺😀👍

[@djinnisequoia]

I love to see someone play with feeling. You have an immense amount of feeling and are an ideal person to interpret this piece.

[@xanderwilliams6767]

Emotionality and dynamism in a Bach??? I dare say this has changed my mind about this composer. Well done!

[@nikolai5012]

So amazing, you are so talented!

[@dennisbarker3559]

Stephanie, you are such an amazingly talented guitarist!

[@pacodegarcia]

Well played Stephanie ! you are inspiring the next generation of guitarists here in Australia !

[@leonardocastilhone399]

I know I’m getting a little bit old, but as a father of three kids, it’s a breath of fresh air when I stumble across a younger girl or boy putting their effort into playing the guitar and, above all, into classical music, which is the basis for all Western music. Congratulations for doing such a great job! Follow your heart and keep sowing the seeds of good music into younger hearts! All the love from Brazil!

[@jonnybegood4848]

The planning and execution by the artist's videographer adds so much interest and satisfaction to the listening experience. I lack success attempting to close my eyes and concentrate on sound alone. Some technician did a fine job of capturing the dynamic range and tonal changes S. Jones so skillfully presents. In this formal setting, that splash of color in the lady's scarf was a thoughtful touch. -Such an explosion of the sensual in this experience!

[@Alexagrigorieff]

Yes, audio/video of Stephanie's recordings is always top notch!

[@SG-tv5jy]

How wonderful it must be to have a talent that brings joy, albeit brief, to others. Thank you.

[@bobh.7781]

wow, absolutely slayed it. I've been working on this one again after having playing it a junior recital decades ago. amazed at how well you handle some of the technical challenges while bringing out the individual lines with such grace. bravissimo!!😺

[@peterpilot179]

Beautiful rendition by a gorgeous guitarist. Thank you Stephanie for brightening my day.

[@seanparker5341]

Playing as wonderful as the fugue itself. Fantastic

[@grahamanswerth8979]

An Angel playing music of the angels. Thanks you so much Stephanie.

[@CampbellCornLab]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

[@gerhardhalbwirth2246]

Danke für diese wunderbar interpretierte Musik in einem unglaublich meisterhaften Spiel auf der Gitarre. Ich komme aus dem Stsunen nicht raus, wenn ich sie auf der Gitarre spielen höre und sehe! Bitte weiter so! ❣❣❣LG!

[@dkj7179]

A stellar performance! Nicely shot video and excellent audio.

[@basamak]

Beautiful

[@margueritebrown2720]

incredible interpretation. intense clarity and musicality!

[@scottadler]

Marvelous. I could listen to this all afternoon.

[@DSteinman]

So very excellently played! 🔥

[@kerryburns6041]

Stephanie Jones, you are a sublime communicator of all that is good, a bright light in a dark place. Thank you.

[@dpgoulette]

My goodness, why am I just discovering this amazing artist! Stephanie Jones, this performance is masterful. Shoulder to shoulder with David Russell in phrasing, pacing, embellishments, and tone.

[@iainbrodie5740]

What a wonderful sound you make form the 19th century guitar. Brava to you and bravo to Jan. A unique, beautiful sound.

[@ralfpopken4467]

This is perfection combined with true musicality. Divine.

[@andrearodigari4840]

Pure beauty. The music, the interpreter, the set up. Bravissima!!!!

[@alexandra.maria_pessoal]

Magnífico!... Parabéns, cara Stephanie!

[@ericthompson3982]

Absolutely lovely performance. Just lovely. Sometimes you remember why you love being a musician.

[@fazergazer]

As someone who met JS Bach on my time travels, I can tell you he had quite a sense of fun and humor. I played some recordings of folks performing his music on a number of unconventional instruments (not guitars) and even on harmonicas, the music still works. He wished to come to our century to use the modern technology we have at our disposal. But I convinced him to keep his family safe and remain. I also pointed out that he needed to complete his most important works. He seemed especially pleased with this Stephanie Jones performance, thought you’d like to know. Keep up the great work Stephanie! -Doctor Who

[@Me-uv6kc]

Bach obviously loved fightin, fuckin, and writing music. Writing music third.

[@zuur303]

Did you tell him to avoid that eye doctor quack?

[@westonknight7474]

I remember taking on this piece late in my junior year in college. What a wonderful piece of music. Your virtuosity shines through brilliantly in this performance Maestra. Every video...(EVERY VIDEO) that I see you in displays your TOTAL mastery and your exquisite control of your instrument. Your playing is total effortless perfection. My word you are TOTAL CLASS personified with the classical guitar. Please be well in this COVID-19 world that we all are dealing with now.

[@MacMic333]

Excellent Stephanie, you are extraordinarily talented.

[@gmoney-uy1yz]

Just wow, I have been playing for awhile, to watch her play is pure joy for me, wish I can play like her, wonderful stuff!! God bless

[@higherresolution4490]

Stephanie Jones - VERY beautiful interpretation and performance. Excellent tempo and dynamics! Love your embellishments. You are one extraordinary guitarist who goes beyond fellow Australian, John Williams. Coming from the old school of José Tomás (Alicante, Spain), I can assure all non-guitarists that this piece is quite difficult to play convincingly on the classical guitar. As a minor (unimportant) footnote, I wouldn't mind hearing the very last cord of the fugue more strongly emphasized. Big congratulations!

[@larrywangerow4703]

Tomas Nofziger yes my fine fellow, amazing is redundant.. precise is her endearing quality .. " you reap what you sow"... she extends pure Love from her soul for her craft as an artist right through her instrument directly to all listeners ...I'm a different style life long guitarist myself ..so yes I fully understand her extremely deep passion for all she does in life , especially he guitar her music ..Bach and Mozart my two favorite musicians . Mozart is quite tragic ..so young at the end ..the world was robbed ..people like Steph are our compensation for such worldly losses... the world is much better since I've recently discovered miss Jones.. such an absolutely wonderful and beautiful creature she is ..we would lose much without her ...culture , style , grace ...and more ..in short , she is priceless ...can't buy what she offers so freely from her very essence.. frequency and vibration..the being of everything..

[@AffordBindEquipment]

what a joy to be able to play something like this...

[@KevinCGleason]

Was just trying to strum Sweet Caroline on a ukulele, then I saw this. Humbling.....

[@analogman9697]

Im trying to decide if my classical guitar should be used as kindling to start several fires or used to fuel one big one .

[@mitchellgearheart14]

This has given me a deep sense of peace, calm, serenity. Words fail.

[@bkeyesnanjing]

I think Stephanie Jones is a wonderful guitar player. I hope that she does more videos like these. I assume that she'll have a strong career in the future.

[@rubsan79]

Sure she will

[@darrellgarza6801]

Beautiful composition performed by a talented artist. Thank you for sharing.

[@iagolinscavalcanti2507]

Why are there people who dislike sucha video? Can't understand...they may not like classical music. Thdey should rather not watch the movie instead of disliking it. What a beautiful performance. Loved the unorthodoxical guitar.

[@pveraeternvs3777]

And they never show up in the comments

[@withinyouwithutyu1324]

They dislike simply because she is not naked while playing classical music on a guitar.

[@ericpenrose3541]

On the surface Bach is interesting and at best serene but here you dive down to bring back to us the emotion and heart - of this piece. Brought out masterfully with gentleness and originality.

[@josel8389]

Perfect

[@tonrock612]

As a rocker I can say you, miss, have got the song on your soul and blood. All those previous comments about your technique and performance (which I agree) I like to say you make communication with our souls, you make us better persons. Keep rocking, your sound goes beyond music styles and concert rooms. A well known expression in show buzz says "miss, you can play the NY phone book". Thank you. Bach is proud wherever he is.

[@juliegarcia3991]

I think this one is my favorite so far! nicely done!

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

BACH ... your music will forever be heard long after we are all gone. Thank you for your amazing music.

[@mediasurfer]

Incredible performance in every respect.

[@rooseveltdumornay4954]

I love her performance. It's so lovely

[@ОшуГун]

That was wonderful, as always, thank you so much!

[@albertomoreira4030]

Linda Stephanie !!!

[@Bullroarer-oj3sp]

Perhaps the most magical of all the fugues, especially when you hear it played on the violin and know the same polyphony is achieved with the bow. Nothing compares to Bach. Beautiful player. 🙏

[@jameshammond3853]

Heifitz!!!

[@PeterKosenko]

Great. Especially nice to hear it on THAT guitar with the flourishes that you have added.

[@Campbellteaching]

quite excellent

[@eriknystrom5839]

Dr John Campell, thanks for your daily Corona virus updates!

[@jomurphy1654]

The joyous freedom ultimately delivered by years of discipline. Bravissima!

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@mauimedows]

Breathtakingly beautiful