FRANCK Violin Sonata in A major (Mikyung Sung, double bass /Jaemin Shin, piano)

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César Franck (1822-1890) - Violin Sonata in A major
(transcribed for cello by Jules Delsart in 1888)
Title 0:00
I. Allegretto ben moderato 0:06​
II. Allegro 6:19​
III. Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia 14:26​
IV. Allegretto poco mosso 22:21
Double Bass : Mikyung Sung 성미경
Website: mikyungsung.com​/
Instagram: / mikyungbass
Facebook: / mikyungbass
Piano : Jaemin Shin 신재민
/ jaemindavidshin
/ pf_jaemin_shin
/ @jaeminshin_piano
2018, Thayer Hall, The Colburn School, Los Angeles
Performance copyright 2018 Mikyung Sung & Jaemin Shin
Composition in the public domain

[@paulinacortes-delorenzo4490]

I just had one of the most magical experiences in my life! As habit dictated, I stepped outside to wait for the sun to rise over the Southern Arizona Rockies.and turned to KZbin to listen to any random but favorite religious compositions by Bach or Mozart or Saint-Saenz or Vivaldi’s. But then, I felt like Panis Angelicus and got distracted upon seeing the photo above. In my 72 years of listening to classical instrumental music (I’m now 76 years old), I’ve never paid attention to the bass/double bass except as a “support instrument,” except in solo jazz performances. I’m so grateful to have stumbled into this magnificent performance of Franck’s sonata for violin (performed on the bass) and piano. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@matthewv789]

You happened upon the right bass player! I know of no other double bassist in all of recorded history with the same level of musicality, phrasing, and emotional expression, and none other who plays quite so beautifully and engagingly. (Though having said that, there are plenty of other excellent bassists. I find Luis Cabrera Martin, David Desimpelaere, Ödön Racz, and Mikyung's brother Minje to be especially notable in the quality, virtuosity, and musicality of their playing...but none are quite like her.) She plays other pieces magnificently too, like Bruch’s Kol Nidrei, Mendelssohn’s second cello sonata, the Rachmaninoff cello sonata (formerly just the third movement but she performed the whole thing last summer, it’s amazing), and so much more.

[@jessicapeterson4182]

I've heard the Franck with violin/, flute/, and cello/piano. This is the one I will return to. So nuanced. What a wonderful duo.

[@yorgosarnis5207]

One of the most inspiring double bass performances I have ever heard with such a great pianist, Jaemin Shin. Excellent!

[@87areeves87]

I don't understand how a bass could sound so sweet. And I've been playing bass for 20 years!

[@jancowell]

Practice. A lot of practice

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@jancowell Fun fact, this bass is strung w/ whole step up tuning strings which raise the sound up a whole step & then the part is transposed down a whole step to facilitate good technique.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@jancowell Fun fact, this bass is strung w/ whole step up tuning strings which raise the sound up a whole step & then the part is transposed down a whole step to facilitate good technique.

[@matthewv789]

@@jancowell And yet, at a fairly young age she was playing far better than most bassists can ever aspire to, no matter how hard they practice or for how many years.

[@opus4]

I'm asking myself whether I've just heard the greatest double bass player...ever? Phenomenal! This young lady is, musically, astounding. Regarding technique...heck, Johnny, the Shoeshine Guy, can tell you how high a technical level she's achieved. My great hope is she remains---longterm---focused on fundamental musical matters. She is truly special.

[@opus4]

To be clear, there are little spots, whether intonation or those rare "dead" notes, and, possibly, some little interpretative caveats, one might quibble about. And, they might be legitimate quibbles (as, in one domain, the devil is in the details). However, the overall style, sound---concept---is so remarkably musical and advanced! So, if we admit to "room for improvement" it's based on a terrific musical/technical foundation. I maintain she is special and hope she remains so.

[@matthewv789]

I totally agree. All the other bass players can fight over who is the best merely mortal bass player, but Mikyung is not from this world. She was sent to us from another universe on a beam of light to bring her incredible musicality to us. I truly think she is the FIRST true professional virtuoso bass player worthy of that designation; that is, the first who has gone beyond mere virtuosity or playing beautifully in tune (which is rare enough as it is), to a level of musical expression and maturity one would expect of virtuosi of other instruments, but which the bass has been excused from up until now. For her, bass playing isn’t just a clownish stunt as it always seemed to be for Gary Karr, not is it something lugubrious and tubby to struggle with like most other players, but rather bass is completely on a par with cello or any other instrument as a legitimate, flexible, beautiful, expressive solo instrument. In her hands, the music is as good or better on bass as on any other instrument. (Have you heard her Mendelssohn cello sonata? What cellist plays it better??) It also helps that watching her is so engrossing. I could watch her left hand forever. And notice how she breathes between phrases! She is singing though her instrument. And through it she evokes emotions like no other bass player I have heard. She is utterly engrossing!

[@matthewv789]

opus4 Also we have to remember that most studio recordings spend many hours in the studio to get one short piece recorded, with many re-takes, patches, and edits. Live performances are seldom perfect. Most of even the top musicians aren’t as perfect as we imagine from their CDs. (Even live recordings often have edits and patches. They could even do pitch correction, though I’m not sure how much they actually do since it’s really considered cheating in classical music.) This, on the other hand, is one straight take of a single live performance with no edits. I defy any bass player in the world to do better. :) Furthermore, players who “play it safe” to try not to miss any notes or make any mistakes usually end up boring the audience. On bass in particular, one safety outlet is to play various passages an octave lower, because those extremely high notes are perilous, and often go wrong. You’ll rarely hear anyone perform some of those passages as high as in this performance; usually they’re an octave lower.

[@user-rm2bp8ts8e]

洋阿相 　凄い挑戦！目を疑い耳を疑いました。1936年生まれの老い耄れ音楽愛好者ですが、ダブルベースがこんなに美しく歌う演奏を聴いたことが無かった。大拍手　大賛辞を贈ります。

[@gerardnoest1831]

It makes me so very sad to think how Cesar would have liked to hear this breathtaking performance. He meant his sonata to be played on several instruments, but did he ever dream of a double bass breathing such life into it? Thank you Mikyung Sung.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's a contrabass violin in hutchins terms.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's a contrabass violin in hutchins terms.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's a contrabass violin in hutchins terms.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's a contrabass violin in hutchins terms.

[@bobkmeyer]

I agree :)

[@ModusVivendiMedia]

The piano playing is also astonishingly good... Not only does it perfectly fit and complement the mood and interpretation of the double bass, but some very powerful emotional moments occur when the bass isn't even playing. One of the most brilliant and emotionally powerful performances of this piece I've ever heard.

[@colinetsegers]

Incredibly beautiful and convincing version of Franck's sonata !

[@bernardcharlessoussi962]

she plays contrebasse beautifully, but they just play music beautifully. so much emotion...bravo

[@bygonedaze7935]

stunning...this artist is special...she also gives us a reminder that humans can do some incredible things

[@rhettharrison3291]

How lucky are we to be able to listen and see Hephzibah and Yehudi playing and the go straight to Mikyung Sung and Jaemin Shin playing this wonderful, rich, emotive piece.

[@heinrichnutzel7031]

...it`s such a great pleasure to listen..., and last but not forgotten a big compliment to Jaemin Shin!!! This kind of perfomance works only by a ingenious-virtuos-sensitive companion like JAEMIN SHINE.

[@ysteinwangen7525]

Despite challenging length of strings, Sung plays with a sensible and effortless phrasing and keeps everything impressively well in tune. Pianist Shin contributes to a wonderful entirety. I frequently return to their performances here on KZbin, and wish these two fantastic musicians would come to Oslo some time.

[@hlim431]

Simply magnificent performance! Both bassist & pianist are brilliant!!!

[@GalisonLau]

I can't believe there would be a thumb down! Really?!!! How would that be possible to give a thumb down to such world class performance?!! You two are both amazing!

[@pianoimagination]

more musical and in tune than most violinists!! fantastic!!

[@matthewv789]

Canosa Piano Her Mendelssohn cello sonata is also probably the best I’ve heard, even from a cellist. And her Bottesini... the Elegy No 2 makes me cry every time, her La Sonnambula is insanely virtuosic, the Concerto No 2 is incomparably beautiful, etc.

[@rafaelestradacarrasco3327]

Osom

[@VSNarasimhan]

Phenomenal Bass Player!!!!!! Bravo!!!!!

[@raishyboy]

Amazing musician. I love the way she dances with the bass.

[@VSNarasimhan]

i have no adjectives to describe your playing the Bass in this manner!!!!!! May GOD bless you!

[@batcello]

Holy Sh*t!! This is fantastic in every way! How is this possible on a bass?!

[@sebass_9212]

A magnificient performance, your intonation amazes me! All of your notes sound so perfect and your playing is so sweet and precise.... better than a lot of violinists; not to mention the great and correct performance of the pianist, an incredible duet. As a bassist (electric bass guitar), one of my dreams is to learn to play the double bass and get to play like you do.

[@judith2478]

Absolutely astonishing! I'm in awe. (As a one time orchestral double bass player)

[@itoluigi]

This is amazing !! I couldn’t look away because I was so mesmerized by you and your playing!! ❤️😭

[@ivansultanoff6719]

Beautiful playing❤

[@fredericmotteux1183]

Woooow!!! Very beautiful!!! Well done!!! I like your delicate performance with this french music. It's an honor! Thank you! :)

[@eldiyarbakchiev9473]

Fantastic brilliant 👏👏👏💐💐💐

[@heinrichnutzel7031]

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE!!! NOW she has really beaten the famous "double-bass-heroes" (Matthew Mcdonalds etc.) in technical perfection (intonation unbelieveable!!!) and musicality...BY FAR!!!; I´m really shocked!!!

[@diversekayaker]

Wow...what a beautiful performance! Thank You Mikyung and Jaemin.

[@daviddanielbowes4076]

Your artistry is inspiring. The beauty of your expression of the music is almost indescribable. Please send us more!

[@69srki]

BRAVO ,BRAVO!!!!!

[@primary-doctor]

정말 연주 멋집니다~ 마치 베이스를 바이올린처럼 연주하는군요.. 베이스와 한몸이 된것 같아요~~~Oh my Gosh!!!

[@edmundlehmann5481]

simple wonderful !

[@VolodjaBalzalorsky]

Really excellent performance, very complementary playing with beautiful singing sound!

[@edmundlehmann5481]

Fantastico !

[@bobkmeyer]

Beautiful

[@513888513888]

wonderful

[@larademarco6214]

Astounding performance. Bravi!!! very accurate work, both technically and musically. Look forward to listening more of the two of you

[@matthewv789]

See more on her website! (They no longer perform together, but there are a bunch more videos of them, plus possibly a cd that MIGHT come out of things recorded from a few years ago.)

[@franckravel5762]

Wouaow (no words!!;)

[@clichy10]

Pazzesca .....bravissima !!!!

[@musicaporlainclusion]

Brutal! Bravooooo

[@QuartetodoRio]

Bravo!!!!!

[@jean-edouardcarlier2771]

Incroyable

[@tiagodibella2391]

Bravooooo!!!!

[@ahmadkerimkulov924]

Bravo ! I love it)

[@marcoagnetti5723]

Amazing! :)

[@pengkaiyan4232]

Bravo！

[@matthewv789]

The whole 2nd movement is off-the-charts amazing. I keep wanting to pick out incredible moments but it's just too full of them, all the way to the very last notes (14:14, which, like 8:32 is also an octave higher than I've heard anyone else play it). But also try 10:27 through 11:00! The rest of the movement is much more pedestrian...which is to say ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and full of drama.

[@1blairt]

Absolutely beautiful. Xiexie from MI/USA

[@elsenpricedoublebass]

Brilliant :)

[@MichalSingr]

8:32 screw the violin, I can do it too (off the fingerboard). Amazing.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Hold on, bassists really have to learn this sonata.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Hold on, bassists really have to learn this sonata.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Hold on, bassists really have to learn this sonata.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Hold on, bassists really have to learn this sonata.

[@matthewv789]

I don’t know anyone else who plays that part (or the end of the movement) so high on the bass. So daring! Edit: Catalin Rotaru does. He’s the player I always think is closest to her style of playing too.

[@enzocypriani5055]

Wow

[@sergio6357]

와 이거 첼로만 가능할줄 알았는데 더블 베이스로도 되구나 완전 신기

[@stringplayer2992]

Magnificent playing!

[@natalygonzalez4051]

eres la mejor

[@sebass_9212]

Nataly Gonzalez oh un comentario en español, creí que estaba solo xd

[@bernhardschoppmann7991]

Mit Seele

[@1blairt]

einfach wunderschoen. Gomabseubnida von MI/USA

[@user-em7hc2vc2v]

브라보!

[@user-yb7jx9bt9v]

28:45

[@gawdzilla3341]

Page Turner is Goated

[@MikyungBass]

😂

[@Austin_Tillery]

Beautiful performance you are wonderful but why the German bow? I always found it weird and uncomfortable.

[@nyccontrabass3489]

I much prefer it on the violin. What’s the point of this? She doesn’t vibrate the passing tones and slides in every direction. Sounds like a theramin.

[@fazeable4049]

It is her way of playing the double bass! 😊 When you use that type of big instrument your gonna have to shift alot. I dont think it was meant to vibrate. 😅

[@nyccontrabass3489]

@@fazeable4049 I play the double bass… yes you can vibrate and should. Otherwise what’s the point of it? Interpretation is about getting out of the way rather than in the way of the music and the composer.

[@matthewv789]

Without fail, the people most critical of great talents are the least talented themselves, suggesting their lack of talent starts with their ears.

[@nyccontrabass3489]

@@matthewv789 I probably am the least talented no doubt there… I do teach double bass at one of the top 5 schools in the country so I probably have decent ears at least. It’s not a concerto, it’s a sonata. This piece was written for Ysaye’s wedding and symbolizes the three stages of marriage portrayed by the the piano and the violin. Our job as musicians is to get out of the way… to express, not to impress.