California Guitar Trio - Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Tab and Sheet music available at: www.cgtrio.com California Guitar Trio plays Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands California. Filmed by KVCR-PBS. Program Producer: Lisa Purcell-Rorick. Director/Editor: Al Gondos.

[@Fensta]

Possibly the best piece of music ever composed. Really mellow version...

[@Lieblingsfachful]

This is the best song that has ever been composed, and these guys give it justice like no other preformer can. Left me breathless, thats all I have to say.

[@zscheuch]

one year...that's dedication. given that, there is probably not much of a limit to what can be accomplished. all glory to God. i heard that's how j.s. sighned his latter pieces. best to you.

[@realmadridwebas]

How are there any unlikes ?! This is one of the best things if not the best I've ever seen ! Rating: 10*

[@nelsonrivero6787]

Simply amazing! As a heavy metal fan, I am not ashamed to admit this piece is absolutely beautiful. Their technique and sound is so clean and perfect and combined with Bach's genius, this is truly a masterpiece. lolol Grandpa's guitar!!!

[@carlitoparadise]

Such a Big Display of Virtuosism I Heard this One for The First Time in the Album Invitation Awesome Version *****

[@GardenGirlJana]

Great!!!! Keep on playing guys!

[@originalbignick]

come across this video by mistake, while looking for something else; opened it because I was curious; and stayed because it is absolutely beautiful !!!! Thank you for this wonderful piece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

[@Hoovz1]

Just discovered this wonderful group up at Worldfest in Grass Valley. A Must see!

[@SPAPanthrwpos]

That's one hell of a performance man...!!!!!!!!!

[@SnerbFlobbertson]

Marvelous! Frequently the tone was much like a harpsichord. How many hours of rehearsal must have gone into this. God bless the guitarists for their beautiful work and, to quote joshmoore85 "Bach, where would we be without you?"

[@jamesa901]

And to quote Pat Metheny: "...I mean, compared to Bach, we all suck!"

[@zscheuch]

broken down like this it makes one realize how musically dense this fantastic piece of music really is. bravo cgt. and bravo to mr. bach of course.

[@Mmiki015]

Except classical version, the only one who plays completly fugue and toccata in rarely conform version as an organ can do. I'm fond of this damn part of music since a child and i think it's the best one i've ever heard.Thank you so much for this amazing musical pleasure

[@Nicotrel]

i absolutely agree with you. it took me almost a year to learn this piece to perfection. the amount of cooardination and skill it demands is unbelievable.

[@16kiwis]

If you live in the Lincoln area in Nebraska they're gonna be here in a few days! At the Rococo theater march 11, at 8pm

[@killtacular4]

To say "incredible talent" is a gross understatement. excellent work.

[@Marctull66]

the California Guitar Trio are just plainly wonderful. This band should be much more famous. I saw you, Paul, with your two colleagues briefly on stage opening for 2 other progressive rock bands in Paris (Enchant and Spock's Beard) many years ago and you were just amazingly good... I finally started buying CD's by you, and I even reviewed 2 of them in a fanzine, a long time ago. The eclectism and versatility, as you like some jazz, King Crimson , classical music, rock, folk and progressive rock is maybe a tad difficult to embrace (I'm more interested in classical, prog rock and folk) but it's worth trying ! I'd like very much to see a new album coming out !

[@paulw.9319]

Thank you for coming back to Crescent City! I hope that you come back soon!

[@funbebop]

I saw this group open for King Crimson in 1996 in Cincinnati … it's so impressive to see and hear … the cueing of the downbeat is conducted so well… excellent group playing!

[@spikespa5208]

Saw CGT in Cedar City UT in '08. Very small venue, amazing show. Still have the recording of it. Listen to it often.

[@zonkerowu]

I was there too--a great show!

[@jamesa901]

Saw them around 2005. One of the most impressive shows I've ever seen. Watching them perform Bach on youtube is one thing - seeing them do it live brings it to a whole new level.

[@GutpileCharlie]

OUT STANDING! BRAVO! BRAVISSIMO! That's done the way it should be done! I love the way you adhere to the original as much as is possible.

[@rhythmandrhyme3842]

Awesome job! Sounds harpsichord-ian. Absolutely beautiful!! One of my all time favorites.

[@kendallburks]

Bach likely wrote this when he was around 17-18 years old... You can hear the youthful energy, and emerging genius. Just imagine him as a teenager shredding this on the organ. Awesome!

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

I love the sound of the organ, and the way it should be played, but that guitar trio was fantastic.

[@katanamanatee]

Fantastic arrangement, I also like how the plugged in tone of guitars gives a sound a little reminiscent of a harpsichord.

[@stevenwarner9156]

@@kevinscientist All three of the guitars are plugged in, you can even see the cables if you pay attention. The tone makes it obvious too (especially as someone who has played various acoustic gigs), and the fact that there are no microphones right in front of them. The overall sound is somewhat like a harpsichord in large part due to the tone. These guitarists often play different parts so it is not just due to three guitars playing unison lines.

[@paulyrich]

@Alexo1954, Yes, I agree this composition is a fantastic achievement. Why do you assume that the main aim of this band is to make money?...simply from my comment at the end that we were able to make more money when we started playing concerts outside LA? The music and playing music for people has always been the most important thing for us. As professional musicians, it is also important that we find ways of making money. In the beginning we had to "Pay to Play" in Los Angeles. Then, as we got invited to play concerts in San Diego or Santa Barbara and elsewhere, we found that we could make $100 or $300 instead of paying to play. If our main aim was to make money, I'm sure we could have found a better way to do that instead of playing instrumental guitar music! Very best wishes, Paul

[@jimmyalderson1639]

Plus why would anyone go theough the effort of learning this for an instruments its far from being designed for and taking the time to suncronise if u want to make money? Makes no sense of course u have to make money anyway by his lotic hes saying 'oh he wants money thats all he want then' and also by him trying to tarnish ur reputation by saying u only want money is basically saying 'dont listen to them all they want is food and a life' does he not work everyday because he wants money or is it because he likes doing whatever he does? Or is it that he feels u make more money and is jelous

[@plasterofparisify]

Paul Richards If you were in it to make money you wouldn't have played to 12 people in Little Rock a couple years ago when I saw you. You guys were incredible and to this day I bring up what a great show it was for me. Please come back I want to help pack the house. You guys were on fire!

[@zonkerowu]

I heard Robert once say, "I'm happy to be paid money for playing music, but money is not the reason I play music."

[@Urbanmoon]

That was so most amazingly beautiful! I have NEVER heard guitars sound like that. I am blown away.

[@CombinationFibonacci]

This has been one of my favourite songs since I was 2, thank you for giving me a new way to enjoy it.

[@lucienvergez1565]

Toccata et fugue de Bach c’est ta chanson préféré, oui mais ce n’est pas une chanson c’est une œuvre immense il ne te reste plus qu’à aller te cultiver .

[@Hmnmn]

I think this is an excellent arrangement, beautifully and accurately played. It seems very much in the spirit of Bach's masterpiece. Thank you for recording and posting this.

[@Lizard-of-Oz]

Not even Bach can play this good!! another destined to my faves hee hee hee hee

[@Dav1oMagnific0]

"If you live in the Lincoln area in Nebraska they're gonna be here in a few days! At the Rococo theater march 11, at 8pm" Tonight they were right here in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the were great.

[@sandraprow5977]

This is the reason I play guitar. (seeing these guys perform this piece in 1995)

[@digitalis7]

Fantastic piece and playing! Great showcase for NST tuning (CGDAEG).

[@bbjorna]

This is so inspiring to listen to and see. So much skill and musicianship all rolled into three guys.

[@Geopholus]

Well Done!!!!! This ends my quest today for a satisfactory version of Bachs T&C in Dm on guitar with a satisfactory upbeat,... at last! some musicians who believe that Bach was the master of his own music and who chose to honor him by playing his Score. A good honest rendition of a beautiful piece of music,... and yes it is rather hard to play the whole thing with three guys in sync. Thank you for playing ALL the counterpoint !top middle & (bassline too)!

[@vonStalhein2]

I have listened to this so many times and I never get tired. Brilliant arrangement, you guys!

[@odiumimbues]

one of my favorite pieces of all time. I will learn it just as these guys have!

[@LepusZeppelin]

Very nice. This is one of my Favourite Bachs

[@Marctull66]

Really wonderful.... I think I really discovered how talented those three men are when I saw them live in Paris before Enchant and Spock's Beard... in 2002, I think. I bought all of their studio albums since then.... and reviewed at least one of those. But what I prefer arer their classical leanings. What a mastery of counterpoint.... And of course, there is the genius of JS Bach

[@smartteachermiami]

This reminds me of a great band SKY (1970s) who did awesome instrumental treatments of all the greats...where did those guys ever go?

[@zappadan2000]

Coming to see the show Saturday... I am super geeked :)

[@1964janito]

Man! These guys are beyond awesome! I'd love to see more of them. Es un trio extraordinario.

[@roberttiso]

All voices are covered wonderfully. 5 *****

[@celiedog01]

excellent! Simply amazing guitarists. Thank you so much for uploading this!

[@ilikezappa]

That was a fantastic adaption. Well done guys . Just beautiful.

[@estol2]

Really love it too!!

[@musetica.apparel]

Wow....so beautiful...it's amazing what people can do with the guitar instrument! Congratulations!! All the best! :)

[@RogerPatrocinio]

This is so beautiful!!!!!!!!

[@RasBomboclan]

simply amazing

[@renefinch]

The best that could possibly be!!!

[@malcolmcolemann]

Absolutlely brilliant!

[@1979cl1]

This is unique!!! I love the guitar playing!!!

[@OEDS6]

I'm speechless. just "wow"

[@crossproduct42]

The is the greatest mashup remix for "Gyruss" / "Battle of Olympus" I've ever heard!

[@emiilyerin]

saw these guys today, they were amazinggg.

[@arnicibitsi]

so beautiful...its amazing what people can do with the guitar instrument! i'd only like to hear it in a less hard sound...we would like to hear you in Greece you guyes!

[@ondaride777]

so clean so precise nice and hard work

[@hcast2005]

I like this. Very natural.

[@Reiflen]

Liked it a lot, great performance The division of the music through each guitars is quite fun! good video

[@smalin]

Hey, guys, great performance! And very cool arrangement, too. Some things come out better in your version than the original. And the repeated chords at the end are quite effective. Bravo!

[@lucienvergez1565]

Pour sortir des conneries toi tu excelles,continue tu est sur la bonne voie.

[@GuitarJunkyXL]

Haven't seen such an amazing video for a long time!

[@j0nj1]

Bach: the true father of heavy metal.

[@fallchildren25]

well put together piece!!!

[@Nameless742]

2:15 onwards is one of my favourite parts of classical music. Sounds awesome on guitar.

[@888Arsenic]

Magnifique ! Parfait !

[@barbara4602]

Fantastic!!!!!

[@radicaldreamers8378]

La meilleure des reprises de cette délicieuse Toccate, à mon goût bien entendu ! Et en plus, à la guitare. braffffoooo

[@hedba]

Amazing.

[@rinadeych]

Gorgeous!

[@ccollalto]

MAGNIFICO !

[@christopherholland9999]

Bravissimo!

[@binksterdude]

Amazing!

[@Crishaana]

Isn't it a sin to play so well !! :D

[@grbroussard]

WAY TO AWESOME!!!

[@neiltosolini2465]

Thanks for turning me on to this Tom...

[@Jouwl]

This is so horribly epic I don't know how to express myself. ... win!

[@Termiman1983]

Amazing

[@fireiron123]

this sounds so god damn metal, i love it.

[@sharecroppermike]

Brilliant!

[@Vashnubs]

Legendary

[@Ashitaka255]

In my humble opinion a guitar can never sound as good as piano or harpsichord or organ but these guys did a great job. And before some you go mental, I play guitar and I think its a great instrument.

[@shaked02]

very nice arrangement!

[@FISHERPACO]

Magistralmente Ejecutada, Felicitaciones Maestrisimos.

[@PodaiKofa]

beyond epic

[@Necromalix]

Bach himself would be proud!

[@sandrastevens689]

Brilliant

[@lysergickfuneralproc]

sweet bleeding jebus! ! that was sick,damnit men! cheers & 5 stars & a long distance high 5

[@hmpb88]

Great Job! Amazingly played :D

[@kellysworld4329]

dat was great guys,so much enjoyd it

[@Masterdermillie]

Bach would be proud.

[@honzikec]

Luv this masterpiece. And this cover is stunning! thumbs up :)

[@r0chand]

Thank you!

[@Aonghuis]

I sure would like to see these folks perform at Meanycenter at the U.W.!

[@codonauta]

@TheWNMan Well, it is true that in the guitar we don't have the control and the possibilities of dinamic we have in others instruments, but "some" dinamics we have. The guitar is a very peculiar instrument, it is very substantial in timbres, much more possibilities in changing timbres that the piano and harsichord for example.

[@dolphinman91]

OMG!! spettacolare!

[@holtreich]

My mind is blown.

[@darkstar000]

oh my god. my dreams have come true!

[@guitaral]

I'd love to get hold of their arrangement for this

[@thepossessor]

this is great!

[@JRd2U]

Génial!

[@Jsboutin1]

Similar doesn't even hint at a time difference either way between the two. The way he said it was perfectly fine.