Cameron Carpenter: Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565

[@MrRuplenas]

I heard him yesterday at a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert playing the Barber Tocatta Festiva and a Terry Riley piece. His virtuosity is unquestioned and he is clearly a showman. As far as this performance of the Bach, one could say any number of things. But who can doubt his personal involvement in the music. And as far as his musical choices, isn't it a great thing that he can make us think about this music again, and just why we love it? He is provocative, no doubt, and that is a good thing. More power to him.

[@masterjk7]

I CONCUR

[@ewoutvm1]

@Arole Flynn ... and after removing the mud say: NOW you appreciate the art more., now you've seen how to make it ugly. That way you could reason that when you're feeling that your house is too small, you take a goat and a donkey and a pig in your house for a week or two, then mevo them out of your house and you say: God what is this place BIG man!

[@DainGerrUsss]

@Flynn News Blog amen

[@gretareinarsson7461]

Flynn News Blog So how do you think Bach SHOULD be played?

[@josephhapp9]

@Flynn News Blog nicely put. I agree.

[@deborahstabelfeldt-brooks2519]

He definitely Cameronized this Bach piece but that is why we are fascinated and love to hear and see him perform!

[@christianblaha36]

outstanding musician, great original interpretation (like Stokowsky's orchestration), figuration, and articulation! thank you.

[@1622steve]

Just listened again today: Cameron has been maturing. His more recent performances are relying more on musicianship and less on gimmickry. I also noticed the couple exiting mid-performance. Decades ago, I heard Tom Hazelton play this piece. It was even more "theatrical".

[@debbielecher8135]

Someone this talented is bound to be misunderstood and criticized for being unconventional. He’s brilliant!

[@Renshen1957]

He would be brilliant as a theater organist, that genre would be apropos to his talent. Leave the classic organ works to the HIP performers on pipe organs.

[@Engineer9736]

@@Renshen1957 Go whine somewhere else

[@Renshen1957]

@@Engineer9736 Struck a nerve, Richard? KZbin's a public forum, and my opinion is no less important than yours, and every reason as good as yours to be here. (A bit of a snowflake, are you?) As to going somewhere else, make me!!! For every 3 people who saw this video, about 1/3 thumbed down his performance. So I am not alone, at this time: 770 have good taste, and 1.6k only have taste in their mouths. Have a Nice Day...

[@afdcomposer]

I respectfully disagree. There are more Than a handful of missed notes throughout the playing. You can play with sounds and articulations as much as you want, but learn and present the actual notes of the piece properly first. Also his imposition of his own countermelody near the end, unnecessary at best.

[@Renshen1957]

@@afdcomposer The countermelody, although unnecessary, isn't outside of 18th century performance practices, but who has the audacity to add to Bach's counterpoint?

[@Engineer9736]

That extra little melody during the ending chords is a great invention of him :D Nice recording!

[@DouglasAmrine]

'A great invention'? Really? To add another line of counterpoint to Bach takes an awful lot of courage; this is just plain ugly, and shocking in its banality.

[@Engineer9736]

Douglas Amrine Everyone can have their opinion on it of course. Though a bit of variation after hearing the original piece 500 times is welcome for me.

[@Klaus-ft1si]

@@DouglasAmrine I agree. Of course there are different views on how a composition should be interpreted. But you should always keep the composer's intention in mind. What Carpenter is doing no longer has anything to do with Bach's opus.

[@cbmsysmobile]

If you're going to listen to Cameron perform and complain about his interpretation of the work, you're missing the point of this superbly talented man.

[@ipecaquana]

Grandissimo , mi piace questa interpretazione . Geniale , bravissimo e provocatorio . Dd

[@ullinator1388]

Unglaublich, mit welcher Virtuosität der Mann vorträgt. Auch die Auswahl der Registratur ist einfach Spitze. Ich verstehe wirklich nicht, wie man für diese so brilliant und meisterhaft gespielte Interpretation so viele Dislikes bekommen kann.

[@ML-fg1no]

beautiful interpretation of this stupendous work of bach

[@aBachwardsfellow]

or a stupendous interpretation of a beautiful work of Bach ... ?

[@ItalanFindart]

To ALL great super master musicians here, only one question: can you compare Caravaggio with Jackson Pollock? Carpenter is a musician of 21st Century and even if his interpetation in discutible, he his a Contemporary Musician. He uses the instruments and the ideas of the 21st Century. Be open with your mind! Listen to him without comparing him with someone else that lived 400 or 500 years ago. He is an expression of our time and his interpretation of course is completely different.

[@adhill]

I heartily concur. I have at least a dozen versions of this piece--many quite unique. George Gershwin got in trouble with his teachers for his unorthodox interpretations of classical pieces. However, it's that level of creativity and reinterpretation that is the hallmark of great performers and composers. Orthodoxy has its formal place, but there's no room for it in the truly creative domains. There's no reason to compare this performance to, say, that of Ton Koopman or E. Power Biggs, which stand in their own right. This is an interpretation, and you're free to like or dislike it. I certainly have my own tastes, too. :-)

[@0rganopleno]

Ofcourse you can, they're both painters so why not? Although this is more like a Pollock-wannabe splashing paint over a Caravaggio masterpiece and calling it an improvement.

[@holger_p]

we cannot compare, how it was supposed to sound 400 years ago.

[@musica2jp]

Cette interprétation est une toccata "revisitée" par un surdoué de la musique.... un vrai virtuose. Même si j'aime beaucoup les interprétations "classiques" de BACH sur les orgues d'église, j'apprécie ici une version modernisée avec une touche sûre de génie. Il dérange et aussi, il enthousiasme et force l'admiration. Je pense vraiment que BACH aurait aimé ce clin d’œil s'il vivait aujourd'hui car si l'on est attentif, Bach, dans ses œuvres, a de beaux clins d’œil et il a osé à son époque des compositions et des phrasés qui dérangeaient par leur modernité que l'on peut reconnaître parfois dans le jazz. Je suis pourtant, depuis des dizaines d'années, passionné et admirateur de BACH et de musique baroque et pourtant ici, je dis "BRAVO" à l'interprète.

[@enocklutalo]

Listening to this in 2024. No words. My favourite version of this piece.

[@Wallerschreck]

Eine eigenwillige Intepretation! Es ist mir persönlich zu entfremdet. Im Orginal wirrkt es einfach stimmiger! Stellenweise hört es sich an wie Zirkusmusik.

[@MrJHT49]

JSB would want people to add creativity into the organ world, as he did. It's good that someone is being innovative with this piece, and in fact, this is my personal favorite version of toccata and fugue for that reason. Anyone can have an opinion, but there's no fact to anything with music.

[@penndelval]

Agreed. This is merely an attempt to re-interpret a piece of music in his own style...as happens ad infinitum in the world of "popular" music. It's a Cameron Carpenter "cover" of a Bach classic. And since T&F in D is one of the most popular classical pieces, I don't see what the big deal is. If one wants to hear it played with appropriate baroque performance practices, there are literally hundreds of recordings to choose from. I don't "love" it or "hate" it, I just find it different, which is the point. Not sure what Bach would think of this version, but he'd probably be amused that a bunch of old queens were triggered by it...and are claiming to protect the 'sanctity' of his musical legacy!

[@colinhazell2544]

I don't know what Bach would have thought!

[@carmendevilla2]

He would’ve thought “damn those 32’ stops speak fast”

[@Ulli_G._aus_D.]

Cameron Carpenter ist ein genialer und ebenso virtuoser, wie gleichsam exentrischer Superkünstler. Man muss das mögen, aber er ist unbestreitbar ein ganz Großer!

[@lb5712petelemonade]

Last time I heard this played was at a Virgil Fox concert which is my favorite piece of music. I watching some of your video's last night and was wishing you would play this piece. In my humble opinion you play like another Virgil Fox, this what I just watched and heard is just beyond the word masterpiece !!!!

[@LorinTone]

Many compare him to Fox, which is sort of fair. However, Fox would get a bit sloppy at times, this guy is generally more precise.

[@waihoong11]

Excellent technique! But it's sounding like Nintendo game console.

[@vince71362]

Well, he DID call it a "Play Table" in another video...

[@davidherbert9601]

Chances are the M&O organ is mixing itself and it’s being output to a stereo PA. Not the usual bank of Definitive Speakers he uses himself.

[@waihoong11]

@@davidherbert9601 Yeah. I guess if the sound is spread out a bit with a bit more breathy reverb, it might be more pleasing to the ears.

[@waihoong11]

@@vince71362 I guess he has his artistic rights. It's just that it's not great to my ears, that's all.

[@danallyn7]

@@waihoong11 Same here. I do like Bach and this particular composition on the instrument it was intended for: A big many-ranked pipe organ. This sound is creepy. The original version/rendition sounds like what Bach intended: Sacred. Not religious. Far beyond that. This is totally creepy.

[@steveapt1]

Refreshing to hear CC's unique interpretation.

[@treemed67]

Say whatever you want, he is great performer. Yes, it’s unorthodox, but I like it. It’s alive and genuine. I’m sure Bach himself would enjoy it too.

[@bobburns1431]

He can certainly play the organ,his interpretation of the music is unique as is his sense of timing,dramatic and unexpected,not entirely to my taste but still interesting.

[@cornwalldragon4617]

Haters are going to hate. Virgil Fox was big on the heavy organ and Cameron Carpenter is big on the digital organ. Both are showmen in their own right. Virgil was the first to have a touring organ so that he can provide organ music to venues that couldn't provide an organ. Cameron is following in his footsteps.

[@kevinbowyer2931]

Hilarious, grotesque, provocative, outrageous! Those are all qualities I treasure. Love it! Keep it up, Cameron!

[@BarryWaterlow]

Wait till he repeats this with a striptease act where it fits.

[@markhall7646]

Ending 565 on a major chord was a slap in Bach's face.

[@DainGerrUsss]

I heard a professor at a major university do that, and i wanted to punch her out afterwards.

[@AL-ns1jm]

no not really............ a lot of organist do it ....... Me either... I calls a picardy third or end ... it was really normal and common in the baroque practice. Like improvisation was normal... only Rusty petty bourgeois limited brains do not understand that .............. this guy is ahead of his time . limited frustrated anxious minds don't understand that.

[@jamesbannon1057]

@@AL-ns1jm Yeah, we know it was common Baroque, and earlier, practice, especially on the harpsichord. However, this so-called interpretation is still shit, no matter which you look at it. The organ he used here has no presence, no balls, and no subtlety; nor does his playing.

[@Engineer9736]

@@AL-ns1jm I rather enjoy what i hear than trying to stick to historic lecture. It’s D-minor and nothing else.

[@AL-ns1jm]

@@Engineer9736 smallminded

[@LanceCampeau]

Bach interpreted with the whimsical air of early cinema. I like it.

[@jangraf1801]

LanceCampeau m N

[@steamrocks]

This is a $million+ instrument, yet here it sounds like an 80’s video game.

[@bvsiness]

Yeah

[@Renshen1957]

You nailed it!

[@kennethkoswener485]

Hear it in person and you will think about differently.

[@ludwigvanbeethoven8793]

im going on a binge through all of carmen's videos. he's a master but damn is he tacky as all hell. snatched my bedazzeler right from under my bed

[@jonhoward180]

It seems that most people agree that Cameron has talent and technical ability. But opinion is divided on his interpretation of established organ pieces (like BWV 565) with a majority of online folk hating his radical reconstructions. If I was his manager, I'd suggest Cameron splits his concert into a traditional performance of organ standards equally mixed with original flashy material of his own.

[@StamperKirsten]

...and get rid of the distracting haircut!

[@howardtreesong4860]

I can not not love that man playing the organ :-). I also adore how so many people get their knickers in a twist over his interpretations. He makes the music a living thing, offers an interpretation we haven't heard before. I love it!

[@dougretter1529]

Might as well play the piece with "fart" samples, We've never heard that before.

[@howardtreesong4860]

@@dougretter1529 Maybe the fine arts are just not your thing. It’s ok, Doug, it’s not going to please everybody. That was never the point. We still love and admire you.

[@dougretter1529]

@@howardtreesong4860 Well, I majored on Organ and Trumpet and worked with some of the finest organ builders in the world. Does that make my opinion relevant?

[@howardtreesong4860]

@@dougretter1529 As I said, Doug, maybe the fine arts are just not your thing. Many people study topics they then find themselves incapable of enjoying, or it bores them, or they can’t find their proper expression. And that’s fine, I’m not wagging fingers. Have you considered a career in engineering? Sword smithing, glass blowing? Maybe you would excel in the French Foreign Legion and find yourself a new way of life, something you had heretofore not considered as a path your life could take.

[@dougretter1529]

@@howardtreesong4860: Have you considered increasing your anti-psychotic medications?

[@MrMiz1113]

Sooooo conflicted by him. He's the most proficiently brilliant organist I've ever seen yet I can't stand most of his interpretations of Bach's works.....

[@generalackbar245]

Open your mind! Appreciating the way CC plays Bach is not a crime against the Grand Master. It is a proof that you are mature enough, to accept other points of view, different than the ones who rule the way to play Bach since 300 years. That does not mean CC has, by now, to be considered the new absolute way to play Bach. You are not conflicted by him. You are conflicted by yourself, because you're afraid to fully consider a baroque piece played in a non-baroque style. But this is possible! It is always interesting, and sometimes it is great, even if yes, sometimes it is not. You doesn't need to feel conflicted. IT IS NOT A CRIME AGAINST BACH :) :) :)

[@janros6660]

Aaron Barr

[@MrMiz1113]

Here's the thing, technical proficiency is objective; either you can play the notes in the order composed and change registrations or you can't. However, the choices one makes in interpreting how to play those notes is subjective, both to the musician and the listener. I'm not at all afraid to consider a different interpretation of a given work but it doesn't follow that having considered it, I have to like it. That's the very nature of something being subjective.

[@Renshen1957]

+Aaron Bar, trust your emotions. Their genuine, to thy own-self be true. Technical virtuosity, yes, but the only taste Cameron Carpenter has, as concerns J S Bach's music, is in Cameron's mouth. The performance isn't for the edification of the listener, rather it's to glorify Carpenter's klavier skills. No one needs rescue BWV 565 from obscurity. The opening motif is by consensus the most widely recognized Organ piece in the world. +General Ackbar. Virgil Fox played in a similar manner, it wasn't generally accepted or appreciated by most organ listeners, but Fox had his adherents (even the ones at the light shows stoned and/or frying at the time). Frankly, the Theater Organ registration isn't anyway as interesting as Hans Wurman's Moog Strikes Bach interpretation, and although even Carpenter's version uploaded here is preferably of the Eugene Ormandy's Transcription for Orchestra. This isn't J S Bach's music or intent, its a rather gross caricature or satire of the work. It's not a crime, but sacrilege, the only thing missing is a cuckoo stop, a kazoo stop, and a whoopee cushion on the organ bench. Yngwie Malsteen's version is more respectful. The organist for the 1976 version of Ritchie Blackmore's band Rainbow who played in Japan live the Dorian Toccata and Fugue straight up classical style was received more enthusiastically and much closer to Bach's intention. Just look at the expressions of the musicians' faces in the video; is it disgust, contempt, revulsion, or sheer boredom? Whatever they were feeling it wasn't admiration. Any one for fried calamari?

[@ckott99]

Carpenter reminds me of Virgil Fox with respect to the glitzy showmanship and going deep left field on interpretive style. And on a personal note, I hated so many of Fox's interpretations of Bach, and I feel the same way about Carpenter. But like Fox with the Rodgers 'Black Beauty', Carpenter is certainly bringing the organ to a broad audience that generally would not be hearing organ works with his M&O 'International Touring Organ'. So I wish him success on his tours, and I would see him in concert if the opportunity arose. As for myself, I'm sticking with E. Power Biggs for my Bach listening pleasure. P.S. With respect to comparing Carpenter to Fox in some respects, I should also point out a huge difference. Unlike Fox who spent a lot of time proclaiming himself the sole master of Bach and was basically a blowhard whom over time I came to dislike for his socially bad form, Carpenter is just putting his music out there for the audience to like or not. Good for him.

[@BenAtTheTube]

I like it! He obviously put a lot of effort into the arrangement, adding double-speed flourishes in places, and played it like he intended. My only complaint is that that the orchestra didn't join in - maybe a bassoon playing one of the solo long notes instead of an organ key, and all of them playing at the end.

[@sgamesyt7188]

Yeah, he has his unique style, totally different and aside of other more classical styles. If you are used to hearing this piece like Bach comppossed it, with the original tempo, you'll be totally dissapointed, but that doesn't mean that he is a bad organist. I can understand that it sounds messy and all over the place, but that's part of his style. I like it, it's different and very transgressor :)

[@steamboatwillie8517]

It's nice to hear differing interpretations of music, so you can decide which one you like the best!....though this sounds like an automation/ barrel organ on a fairground ride......to my ear ;0/...and notice the orchestras faces, watching the audience's faces!

[@BarryWaterlow]

*He can play it even better on the fartorgan but you have to stand right next to the speakers to hear it.*

[@aBachwardsfellow]

yah -- ya gotta love it at 7:09 where the guy in the back of the orchestra puts his hands over his ears -- presumably reflecting what the guy who just got up and left was doing on the way out ...

[@marcogutierrez2972]

Madness and crazy genius

[@jamesvalentine7618]

Bet your Mom is proud of you! I I'm amazed! Kee[ Playing and maybe I can catch a concert here in the USA!

[@generalackbar245]

You are lucky. No concert in France :(

[@generalackbar245]

@Nathan Camilleri Destroy? No way. Cameron doesn't mind actual pipe organs if I'm not mistaken. He only plays on his M&O tour organ, doesn't he? Anyway, thank you for your "greatest organs of the world" :)

[@mudgebauer]

The volume on this video is too low. It should be loud! Bombastic, thrilling! Exciting!

[@Engineer9736]

It is bombastic, thrilling and exciting. Just get an amplifier ;-) A personal shortage of audio equipment..

[@mudgebauer]

Richard van Pukkem im too poor to afford one. could you send me one for christmas¿ tanx

[@gvcarpenter60]

mudgebauer we must remember this was not a studio recording, and seemed to be recorded by a video camera or mobile phone in what was an open air concert therefore the acustics were bound to be out of wack. Yes, I've heard him play this piece much better, with which some would call more respect, but I don't care. He is moving the organ out of the dusty caverns of obscurity and I say bravo to that. Furthermore, it also seemed to be an encore piece and I've seen countless performers take their "liberties" to show off their technical prowess at such times. There is plenty of room for the sleepy to the avant garde, I find redemption in them all.

[@johnellis6755]

Oh dear all you why criticise Carpenter it saddens me as I believe you are so limited in your musical appreciation and understanding! - This man is a genius he has so much to teach us

[@videobrausebaer]

So sehr ich Carpenter mag und bewundere, diese Interpretation ist einfach Grotte!

[@arminhennig1795]

Habe 2015 in Korbach eine deutlich bessere Interpretation von BWV 565 von ihm gehört. Keine Ahnung, was ihn in Nürnberg geritten hat.

[@burnleyize]

Wow! A lot of haters in here! I feel his technique is INCREDIBLE! His interpretation -although very non-traditional- is distinct and stands on its own. What would Bach think? He would probably LOVE IT!

[@philipvermoortel6555]

Fantastic. What a genius is this man!

[@markhall7646]

I think he succeeded in using every last damn stop in that thing- classic, theater, percussion and all. To no worthy effect except to make a complete mockery of this great Bach work.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Personally, I don't like this version. Yes, a Toccata does allow for a certain amount of rubato and ornamentation. But one should at least be consistent. CC is all over the map playing here. Timing is off; his trills are terrible, and his changes of registration make no sense.

[@christianhahn6866]

Unglaublich! Phantastisch! Danke!

[@timothysimpson-inspire]

I personally think Bach would have completely approved of this. Bach is one of those people from the past that I would give anything to meet personally. Clearly Bach's music is indestructible. He wrote pieces that most likely only he could play in his time and he had to have been somewhat of a show off to write like he did. For me personally, there are elements of this performance that go beyond or distract a bit from the piece itself, but I am grateful someone has the guts to shake the dust off of these pieces and bring them to life with personality and individualism. I'm also grateful that he orchestrates Bach in such a way that brings out the structure of the music, and no question he knows how to bring it to a rousing conclusion. Got to say though, in spite of the bells and whistles, which are actually intelligently used to mark certain things happening in the music, go a bit far for even me. In Bach, a certain amount of "improvisation" is intimated for solo performers. At any rate, he can flat play.

[@knuggems]

His technique is fabolous, and I love his recordings, BUT... I can’t get off the though that the man above the organ to the far left looks very much like Sviatoslav Richter.😂😂❤️

[@Sirracco]

This. Is. So. Unique. Thanks, Cameron!!

[@DainGerrUsss]

According to Carpenter's "interpretation", he patently renamed the work -- Toccata and Fugue in Some key, by Johnny Sebnasty Notbach

[@joshuapetersen4960]

All pomp and no circumstance

[@stthomasmore4811]

This may be the best KZbin comment I've ever seen.

[@Gueguense2008]

I love it. He is showing us something different; you can revolutionize, entertain and dare to experiment with other possibilities! He is reviving the art of playing when the time of the “music industry” is already dead. You only the most valuable asset: the passion and love to play, and to compose.

[@toneyvaughn2536]

So much talent that he put into defacing some of the best trills in this Bach piece

[@SR009s]

Regardless of whether you like how CC plays, no one here can deny that he is a technically brilliant player. That said, I could barely get to the 1:30 mark before I had to take it off.

[@Richard.Holmquist]

Wow! Any performer that can make one disrobe in a public music hall has to be pretty darn good.

[@АндрейЗорин-е7г]

А мне очень понравилось, завораживает, открывает давно известное со всем с другой стороны. Я думаю Баху тоже бы понравилось. Ведь Бах был и сам большой экспериментатор. Представляете, что бы написал, сыграл, наделал бы шуму сам Бах были бы у него современные инструменты и их возможности.

[@28105wsking]

I agree with everyone that Mr. Carpenter is knowledgable and very skilled. And I agree that there are few like him at the present time. However, as I just discovered him last night and have listened to several videos of his playing. my overall impression is that classsical organ music is not an excuse to take violent, quick, sharp jabs at our ears. Knowledge and skill are tempered by an understanding of timing, duration, and restraint. The faster you play any instrument as complicated as an organ, or, for that matter, any music, is not the better. Your finesse and knowledge of how are not well demonstrated by a very violent approach to the what, the music. Your expertise is best demonstrated by the fierce tenderness and smoothness of a good lover who knows how to lovingly caress, linger when sensitivity bids it, or up the tempo at the proper time. Listening to Mr. Carpenter playing is like watching a hurried butcher chopping meat as fast as he can. Its really too bad. Virility is shown in a happy Rennaisance combination of many well- developed qualities, not just one. All I can say is, I was so glad when he stopped! I felt like a punching bag! Just cool it, and try to concentrate on what the music wants, not the physicality of playiing the instrument. Like a river, pools and rapids intersperse. Its not all rapids! Let the music show how it wants to move. Playing too fast does not give bliss and satisfaction. There is no melody in a barage of fierce noise that destroys the composer's intent. Nevertheless, he is an amazing artist. Just a few tweaks are in order. He knows what I mean. IMHO.

[@JHelak]

I can't believe some of the negative comments. Sounds thin? Well how was this recorded - outdoors and probably on a cell phone. Lost tempo? That's called playing with you soul. I could go on.

[@BRICKIEREPORT]

Why do the musicians look so mad I don't think they like this guy

[@reiki2guy]

cloma clim because they are musical prisoners of war!

[@rzijl68]

They see and hear an absolute masterpiece being murdered I guess?

[@niclasnyman4379]

Let's face it: when musicians hear someone ruin golden music they simply hate the person.

[@mattyjohnsson257]

Well, he starts off by missing a note in the first couple of bars. That's a little sloppy.

[@derekbaqueiro5021]

Because it's shit

[@Dutchhomepage]

It's far from how I once learned to play this or even could not this fast, but I somehow liked this peculior weired funny version! Haha. thanks! 👍

[@robminnaert]

Haters are gonna hate, as is their prerogative. It’s his prerogative, nay, his duty to interpret music, to challenge established preconceptions, since that is what artistic freedom is all about after all. That said, I am more a fan of traditional interpretations. That is what I prefer to listen to, and how I play myself. But my opinion in no way diminishes Cameron’s virtuosity.

[@jean-bricehortalasex935]

good cassoulet and verry nice discomobile plus! but we now that you're the best djd31 ever!!

[@jean-bricehortalasex935]

super cassoulet!

[@joer3481]

conflicted and amazed....his interpretation and use of "colors" is refreshing to me.... although I am a Bach purist.....

[@davidjames1684]

An interesting twist on a classic masterpiece. We've all heard it played properly so what is the harm in hearing his refreshing rendition of it? I think this guy has a pair to do what he did. Kudos. However, for the purists, he should also learn to play it exactly as written to gain more respect.

[@reinhardgroer7457]

For world-famous musicians who play many concerts a year, there is a certain default rate of 20 percent. This interpretation is part of it. I already heard this Bach from him better.

[@arwedbamert9171]

Great! Close your eyes and listen again.

[@JanWouda]

Well done and fantastic play in the modern way and if Bach was alive Cameron probably was his most talented pedalpupil

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Great skills, brought down by a simple lack of musical discipline. He is more concerned with sounding unique than he is with keeping his tempos and extraneous ornaments in check.

[@markhall7646]

Second this. The instrument is capable of providing a somewhat thin, but acceptable imitation of an actual organ, but is reduced in depth by an outdoor setting. If he opted for a simple, restrained approach, it would have done justice to 565. He chops it up like a salad.

[@mattyjohnsson257]

Agreed. Kind of sloppy at times too.

[@Chan-Lin-Tao]

This Bach does not touch my heart .. it's cold, gray, dead. it's not Bach, but something else.

[@Chan-Lin-Tao]

and I prefer to listen to Bach and not Carpenter

[@markhall7646]

It's BIZARRO BACH.

[@AL-ns1jm]

. only Rusty petty bourgeois limited brains do not understand that .............. this guy is ahead of his time . limited frustrated anxious minds don't understand that.

[@josephhapp9]

@@AL-ns1jm he failed the audition for “A Clockwork Orange”.

[@afdcomposer]

@@AL-ns1jm What do you have to prove with this ad hominem nonsense? It’s ok if some people like this and some people don’t.

[@reinerneugebauer3835]

There are many organists who play the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. But only Cameron Carpenter brings the masterpiece to life. Bach would enjoy it. 🙂🙏❤

[@simun64]

This is a great performance, but I would never try to adopt this - even if I could. It's a great concertshow performance, but wouldn't sound great on a Spotify recording, I think

[@piotrrybka318]

If anyone can massacre Bach beautifully and get away with it, it is Cameron Carpenter.

[@ivancarlson953]

It's very likely that CC knows how to play this piece as Bach had intended. Now for something completely different. How refreshing. When you're a master, you're allowed to break the rules.

[@raffertybradford8286]

melody at 8:44 in upper pedals is awesome...is that in the original music?

[@gregsz1ful]

What a speaker system ! Amazing.

[@Engineer9736]

I wonder whether there is some Cameron Carpenter hate community somewhere online, chasing every single video of Carpenter, flooding the comments section. The amount of hate is not normal.

[@lohphat]

Ah the haters. Stokowski's orchestration of 565 didn't sound like other standard arrangements either. Both are an exploration of the work from another perspective. Personally I liked some parts and didn't others, that's what happens when you stretch the envelope -- all in all I liked most of it as it was a very interesting take on an old piece -- the imagery created by the new voices are unfamiliar but the ending is very powerful. I'm with the crowd -- they liked it too.

[@LorinTone]

Stokowski had a funny hairdo too, big deal. People here tend to acknowledge the fact that this is an interpretation, then go straight into condemning it because it's not suitably pedantic. I never interpreted this piece like him, so what?

[@christophergrace7287]

He brings to mind the wonderful show pianist Liberace. Cameron in my humble opinion is a truly great organist but has sadly fallen into the commercial trap of pleasing the masses. Lang Lang of the piano world springs to mind. Now with both I feel if they bring more people to the world of organ or piano then this is a jolly good thing indeed. People like me who are purists should shut up and simply hope that those brought to the organ or piano may begin to learn and appreciate the truly great players of these king of instruments. Although my toes curl while listening to Cameron I have to bare in mind that many people who would not normally listen to such music are indeed enjoying his skills. Pray hope they begin to understand why I do not think he is really that good. Learn more about what he is doing and please go to concerts of deeply respected performers. Thank you Cameron for bringing this music to a wider audience.

[@gaylejensen2640]

Greetings from the USA, California by the beach!This is the first piece of classical music I heard as a child of 11, I loved it then. I know his version is really disrespectful but it is SO fun!!! How about letting our hair down a little, it won t hurt, rock on 1!!!

[@BruceXuHasADream]

lol its like he likes to get people triggered

[@EarlLedden]

OK, I can live with a a little freakish wildness now and then, all topped with a Mohawk. Bravo! ( but just don't tell Bach).

[@EasyAmerica]

S kann man dieses großartige Werk auch verhunzen. 😢

[@curly437]

And I though the Yamaha GX-1 was badass. That thing is right up there with it!

[@markhall7646]

I can say that I have never imagined Bach's BVW 565 like this...

[@doublebasstian6204]

a carricature of bach

[@andrewlanders3535]

Not for the purists. But I think Bach would appreciate that his music is still being celebrated more than 250 years after his death.

[@MadHatter54]

Yeah. The Violinists look thrilled, I bet even the violists were pleased.

[@Lou31510]

Reminds me of the Great Producer Gus van Sant when he attempted to remake Hitchcock's "PSYCHO" and it ended up a disasterous cinematic comedy. CC is prolly the greatest entertainer organist alive but some stunts are tough to pull--off and I think this is one of them.

[@steamboatwillie8517]

Just after the people walk out, watch the asides amongst the orchestra..!! The leavers obviously felt that they were standing by a town square barrel organ too.

[@fallingup1991]

Only thing that I hate is ending in major. Most of the time I love a good Picardy third, but with T&F in D, there is something so realistic and humanist about resolving to minor.

[@williamkinnane1606]

Showman? One should realize that people who perform in public dress for the occasion. Cameron is not boring.

[@myroadnottaken]

I am a HUGE CC fan... this was rotted.

[@carlnapp8673]

So foltert man Musiker, die Gesichter der Musiker sagen alles!

[@geried.]

..... zeigen was man kann.

[@jojoviolone2403]

Einfach schreckliche Registrierung

[@organgoesheavy]

Jojoviolone Die ganze Orgel taugt nicht wirklich was für verwöhnte Ohren. Sie klingt so trocken, wenn Sie verstehen was ich meine.

[@gianlucamarcialis3595]

Bach and the mad scientist :D

[@peterbollinger8902]

sometimes we need to have our feathers ruffled.

[@reiki2guy]

Peter Bollinger, sadly this felt like I had my feathers ripped out!

[@DainGerrUsss]

This work has been butchered by an attention seeking little boy. Makes virgil fox look conservative.

[@MattWeisherComposer]

So, this is very interesting. On one hand, this is BWV as WE've never heard before. However, it is well known by scholars that Bach took wild liberties with pieces when he played--both by himself and others. He was often seen as arrogant, even from childhood. At one point, he was even fired as a church organist for refusing to stick to the simplicity of hymns, which he embellished greatly--creating confusion for the congregation and dissatisfaction from the pastor at Muhlhausen.

[@Perseus505]

I'm very fond of his ability and brilliance, but this powerful full throttle piece was castrated to a dance of mice..

[@mattyjohnsson257]

Exactly. It's meant to weaken ones knees.

[@stevesolitaire5013]

GENIUS !!!!!

[@ferube4171]

la tocatta y fuga es aplastante ominosa y celestial todo a un tiempo y aca veo solo unos adornos de cumpleaños

[@fabioj.w.6185]

The kitsch festival. Kitsch organ, kitsch clothes, kitsch shoes, kitsch hairs. And kitsch version.

[@selftrue670]

Exactly

[@JanPBtest]

Sadly, yes. The instrument is probably the worst part of this.

[@gpackwood1]

Kitsch? Don't you imagine he is trying to expand the size of the audience for organ music? After All, when all of us old people die off who will be around to appreciate the instrument and the music? It's called ... MARKETING or Kitsch or Whatever. Just grow the audience.

[@DeWin157]

@@gpackwood1 Not at the expense of the piece.

[@User0resU-1]

@@gpackwood1 marketing is at the base of most of the problems the world has today.

[@lukask7445]

In 1980 there was a young man named Ivo Pogorelić from todays Serbia. They threw him out of Chopin Piano Competition. Is it a repeat of that story?

[@chen0466]

Quite an interesting helmet he is wearing

[@Engineer9736]

I had to LOL :-) Though, any person can look like however he/she wants. It is what he is. Some like it, some don't.

[@chen0466]

Glad you found some humor in that - which is where I was coming from, but not a nasty hurtful kind of humor against Cameron. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own decision for hair style, but of course not everyone has to like it either. Here's my thing with Cameron .... he's highly intelligent, technically brilliant but I find a lot of his works are so much business so much trying to reinvent the wheel that artistic value often gets lost. Perhaps if it were not so much about him and more about the music, it might turn out better for him. Certainly loads of ability and talent there.

[@Engineer9736]

There are a million-and-one recordings on KZbin which are played the way the composer meant it, by an equal amount of different organists. I'm pretty sure (or should i say, 10000% sure :-) ) Cameron has no problem playing it the normal way. He just wants to make a difference in the pipe organ world. I enjoy the normally played pieces a bit more, but sometimes for a change Cameron Carpenter is also nice to listen to.

[@chen0466]

You could say the same of Virgil Fox, another showman, and quite an eccentric one. If you listen to the recording he did at the Wanamaker Organ in Philly his Toccata on Thou Art the Rock is brilliant - a standard that has not likely been beat. But if you listen to his recording of Vierne's Westminster Carrillon it is not played in the traditional interpretation AND it is a disaster. Haven't heard Cameron make that much of a disaster out of his non traditional playing but much of it really sounds like a bunch of technically difficult business rather than something truly artistically beautiful. To each their own ...

[@sedumjp]

we don't really know how Bach would have played 565, or any of his other organ works. There are very few interpretative marks on his scores or indications of tempi. 565 is different as there are many indications of speed and a lot of the writing is not typical of Bach's organ work (too simplistic, not challenging enough) and there is no version in Bach's hand. One speculation is that Bach did write the piece but for another instrument (possibly violin)and it was later transcribed for organ (maybe not even by him, but much later). One thing we can be sure of, and that is we have no idea how Bach would have played this piece so the 'correct' version is just the one most people find acceptable because they have heard it played in that style so many times before. Cameron Carpenter is in some ways the ultimate artist as he really doesn't care what anybody thinks about his performances (I genuinely believe that), he plays the stuff how we wants and we take it or leave it. That alone places him very close to the spirit of Bach who in many ways was an outsider and a maverick.

[@k_b7341]

brilliant, a highly skilled musician with great fantasy and imagination. He can still surprise us with this unique organ piece and adds a lot of humor to it, too. Bravissimo 👏🏻 Cameron Carpener here reminds me of the great master and piano virtuoso Franz Liszt.

[@BarryWaterlow]

*Sounds like poor Bach was having kidney stones, cat allergies and high fever while playing the Mighty Hockey Rink Wurlitzer after drinking way too much schnapps. Lucky some rich tacky gfriends could “invest” in Carpenter’s monstrous pseudo organ for their golden haired boi. Disappointed he didn’t use cannon stop anywhere. Very talented kitsch indeed, replete with sloppy but definitely overworked fingers enjoying note errors. Carpenter: true Liberace of the twenty-first century Wurlitzer. Little does the Boitoy realize that His version of Bach will rise as vampire Dracula from the grave and bite his genitals with slow acting but incurable lethal snake venom. So Carpenter can be endlessly be worshipped by troll fans in whatever haunt he chooses for his after afterlife. Free drinks, boys?*