Frank Yang plays Bach Chaconne 小提琴獨奏 巴赫 (first full take)

If I could delete all my videos except for one, this would be it. Bach's Chacoone is not a small journey for pussies, but a saga that goes through the bottom of your soul and back again. Even though there are still room for improvements (which I will continue to record), this is the first time I recorded this piece from beginning to end in one take with memory, and with the fact that my body is also at its peak makes this video somewhat of a milestone. There were 3 cameras set up, but a single audio runs through the whole video.
On "the Chacoone". It is one of the most complex pieces of music ever written for the one of the hardest instruments to play. In fact, they sent this piece to space as an indicator of one of civilization's achievement. As the story goes, Bach wrote it in memory of his first wife, after he returned from a trip to discover that she had died. Bach described it as,
"On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering experience would have driven me out of my mind".
filmed/sound mixed by Lawrence Dee: monkeydlawrence...
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[@Prog47]

WAtching this makes me want to go buy a violin and spend 10 years isolated in a cave until I play this perfectly and then cry while playing it

[@alexiskerjosse-art6832]

So good. That's what I am doing, at 29 years old, it's been a years and a halfnow. 8,5 years to go

[@abeltatek8645]

@@alexiskerjosse-art6832 how's it going with the violin?

[@alexiskerjosse-art6832]

@@abeltatek8645 oh its going great ! Thanks so much for asking :) Such a hard instrument though.. takes a long time but my teacher really helps me. Do you play violin? How is it going

[@abeltatek8645]

@@alexiskerjosse-art6832 nah I don't play the violin lol. Just wanted to see if you were still at it and it seems like you are. Great job

[@alexiskerjosse-art6832]

@@abeltatek8645 ah yes I am :) I don't want to quit just yet. Orchestra is also doing well, the begining and first year was hard though, it requires lots of patience. Thanks for asking it's very lovely, go try it sometime !! :)

[@PersianoPapaya]

Frank, I am still listening to this since you first posted. It is incredibly moving. Thank you

[@Ovenman940]

Do you compose?

[@frankyang]

Frequently asked Q. Thumbs up so people can see it, thanks. Most professional violinists don't compose because to play at that high level it takes everything out of you (5-8 hours of practice a day is not uncommon) Composing too, and it would be another field in and itself. Also, I have a feeling that most classical music performers understand the complexity of such music well enough to know that no matter what they compose it would never come close to the level of the compositional masters like Bach, Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven, so they probably don't even bother. With that said, although the pieces like this I play are at the highest level, I'm not a professional violinist and I only practice a hour or so a day...so maybe I should give composing a shot. I've thought about it, but my creative juices are manifested in the visual arts and videos and lifting, which is already overwhelming for me. But maybe one day I'll venture into music. I have the music part of my creative life expressed in the violin, and this is enough to satisfy me so far.

[@asspounderify]

Frank Yang why would you not list Chopin but Brahms instead where his only commonly known peice is that of a lullaby for children?

[@yommomalama]

Frank Yang Have you always practiced just an hour a day, or has your practice schedule fluctuated over the years?

[@immaletyoufinish]

asspounderify 3 big B's man ..

[@4fiftyeight]

Frank Yang cut all your crap excuses plz. your just a poser aint got any talent in music or composing. fact is you spend more time in how to act cool and showing off muscle than actually to improve your music. your not musician but merely an entertainer with all your idiot protein juice made muscle.

[@preston1022]

I watched this as a senior in highschool. I then dillied for a semester dropped out and joined the military. I served diligently and dutifully in the Army achieving any goal of serving the 75th Ranger Regiment. Since HS I’ve become a Ranger, lost the privilege after burying my first fallen comrade. (2017) RIP ETIENNE JULES MURPHY KIA 5-26-17 RLTW! I have fallen into love and that much quicker into heartbreak, I have crashed my motorcycle(s) numerous times, I have experienced worldly trauma that I wish upon no man… but thank you for being a constant in my chaotic world. I feel a moment of peace when I come back to this video. It’s always so soothing to my damaged soul. Thank you for helping me shape my hologram throughout the years. You’ve influenced me beyond belief and inspire me to be the best version of myself possible. Thank you still papa Fronk nearly 10 years later 💪🏼

[@eric9901]

this is exactly why Frank Yang is my favorite bodybuilder on youtube. so multifaceted and deep! i love the clouds in the back, really lets my imagination flow with the music. 10/10 would play during my funeral.

[@Zoazaaa]

To see that a man could be proficient in both bodybuilding and playing an instrument kind of presents a notion of breaking the male stereotypes that males are suppose to be strong and masculine because the violin playing brings a creative, soft spot to his side.

[@dano0098]

muh feminism

[@Cetoke]

U wot m8? Most successful composers of all times have mostly been men due to parents consentrating more on the education of men. This has nothing to do with softness, it's just the level of education, dedication and understanding of emotion trough music.

[@nano7586]

Men have more talents at once. At least that's what I've recognized so far. They want to reach so many things because they can't decide between all those skills they can learn in todays society. Men are more likely to work on talent such as bodybuilding or music because they want to impress the opposite sex or even the same sex as a sign of dominance.. I haven't seen this much in women. NO SEXIST HERE.

[@jonathandiego6600]

since when has soft been a bad thing ? If my dick is soft, i'm able to take a shit without having it touch the toilet.... wait.. wut.

[@urdead15]

In Asian cultures, generally speaking, creativity is more of a masculine feat hence why they excel in musical and artistic acts.

[@MakoTheFrog]

I feel like Christian Bale in Equilibrium when he forgets to take his meds and he has that sudden impact of feelings.

[@LemonyB.]

Now _that_ wins Ph0neCh1mp's KZbin Comment Of The Year Award 2014.

[@TheFlynnTaggart]

WE ALL KNOW THAT FEEL

[@Prog47]

I watched that movie when it came out and it was one of my favorites because of the gun fighting scenes. But then watched it again last year and it was so fake :p It seems similar to when someone is in love with someone else with no reciprocation of feelings. They idolise them without even knowing them. It has happened to me. And then you get to know them and you think: that's it? this is the person I wanted so much? But it's mostly because of high expectations, I don't think it's the persons fault for not being as perfect as someone expects them to be

[@MakoTheFrog]

still feel like this after 2 years, still hauntingly beautiful. i think that its pretty extraordinary that a piece of music can do that to you, that you wake up after 2 years and remember it so vividly and return to listen to it again.

[@b0ssinr.683]

Frank please don't record videos below eye level it makes my subconscious self-conscious as if I'm below you. Thanks.

[@fabiomarinello5923]

1:38 Damn, this guy is so alpha he can even wear a sleevless without stopping playing. Amazing skills.

[@davintedja6705]

alpha af

[@Prog47]

this made me feel much better. ive just failed an important exam :(

[@kingquency575]

@Chad I hope he's doing well.

[@j3ffj3ff]

thank you for making your videos public again, this video is very inspirational for me

[@kok111188]

When I think of Bach's mind, I imagine his hand grasping the quill dripping with ink placing the notes on the parchment like a hammer. The hammer becomes a machine repetitively placing notes flowing from his deepest inner void of his mind. Frank you have brought this to fruition in the manner which I envision Bach would have demanded the interpretation be. It swells away my depression and brings me euphoria... Thank you.

[@JadenSoral007]

Good job Frank, this is arguably the most difficult piece ever written for violin. As a cellist myself there is no greater challenge than solo Bach, and I am very familiar with the violin sonatas/partitas also. You did it justice, good job! The amazing thing is, if you play it again tomorrow it sounds completely different doesn't it? That's why it's music for life.

[@kribar96]

I don't always watch/listen to people play a violin, but when I do. I watch frank yang.

[@Gandalf_The_Jacked]

Fronk do you believe Jascha Heifetz has the best rendition of this piece?

[@hammypie]

Aybars Gungor I do!

[@dehanbadenhorst1398]

100000000000x better than Frank

[@lindaszlagowski8888]

God put all talents in just one human being. Why??? Just pure joy of creating!!!

[@YouHaxerr]

Very archetypal in the way this video is shot.. Good harmonising ~ Frank I have a question. Do you ever get sort of a shock to reality? like you look at everything you've done and you just start to rethink your whole persona and consider deleting every video.. Has this feeling ever happened?

[@frankyang]

Every single day.

[@johnrichardseminiano9882]

Frank Yang Frank, Can you play Liebestraum Love Dream by Franz Liszt?

[@ProdigalExplorer]

Whilst breaking out of societal archetypes, these "shocks to reality" are very frequent. They make one question themselves, their motives, their authenticity. It's for this reason that it is so hard for the majority of people to break bad habits, go to the gym, read more, etc. Only a few desperate souls go through, and they are rewarded for it.

[@SowiniBushido]

Is what you talking about similar to something like a sudden urge to consider to jump in front of a moving car? Because I have this urge every time I skateboard on the biker lane.

[@YouHaxerr]

Glad I'm not the only one with this type of mind..

[@Papa-tri]

Still rewatching. 2023

[@Dluu22]

Hey Frank, can you make a video about how you got into the violin and classical music in general?

[@ericofcatburglar9055]

A tear genuinely just left my eye without me even realizing it. This is beautiful.

[@DPSAX95]

I'm currently studying pagganini Caprice 24 for saxophone!Have you played it Frank?

[@TheYYellowmamba]

I'm not into classical, but maybe the player being not an middle aged dude who looks like he wants to kill himself helped. Frank looked like the ideal image of a messenger, hermes in this. I took some creatine while watching this.

[@ProdigalExplorer]

The juxtaposition between the masculine, hard, unyielding flesh with the feminine, soft, flowing music, in the temporal setting of the passing clouds, is beautiful and should inspire the lowliest creatures to aspire for wings.

[@asspounderify]

Most famous composers as well as musicians are male...

[@liveslowlivesimple]

asspounderify strong comprehension skillz

[@asspounderify]

Christopher Camden almost as strong as urz. if flowing music was feminine, id suppose Beethoven would be feminine was well

[@liveslowlivesimple]

asspounderify being feminine =/= being female. feminine is a quality, so you dont have to be female to be feminine. not that i agree that "soft, flowing music" is feminine, but he never said that anyone was female

[@asspounderify]

Christopher Camden "not that i agree that "soft, flowing music" is feminine" kind of what I was driving at

[@rhapsodise8216]

Intonation could use some work, but good job overall.

[@eriknystrom5839]

I’m just a mediocre amateur violinist myself, but I also noticed that the intonation sometimes was a little off. Well anyhow, he definitely plays much better than I do….

[@DPSAX95]

Damn i love the combination of aesthetics and music!!I also lift kai play classical music but i wish every musician would be aesthitic both in body and musical skills!

[@SMITHapk]

This piece can take years of practice. I'm in awe Frank, bravo!

[@nickychando2035]

Frank Yang!! Frank Yang!!! please make a mirin gains video with you playing the violin in public!! all the BBCs will watch you!!

[@devg2322]

i don't think i have the capacity to understand how good at violin you really are frank. Isn't that interesting haha

[@tijmenposthouwer6302]

Good that you have the self reflection though! Might be different all these years later now.

[@JavonDupree]

Nice...but will you ever post an original piece?

[@DaleBreh]

Frank yang you break the para dimes of time and shift interest and nostalgic masculinity of the late 1700s to a more apocalyptic and selfish modern era where men and women fight against each other for rights when in reality its more about the perpetual reality withing our minds and connections with the radio frequency of each note being hit so much so with tender touch. This view shift breaks the barriers of space and opens up more opportunity for self reflection and amazement.

[@Homeb]

beautiful frank BUTT enough of bach. create your own piece, or rather, create a piece of today that could only be created in today by your own experience. let us hear the things that only you have seen. show us not the violin, but frank yang's violin.

[@bibo170]

Holy fuck, watch this shit in 1080p60fps, it's phenomenal.

[@pinkyfull]

Bach's Chacoone has to be one of my favourite pieces written for a single instrument. A simply inspired piece by a genius of the restricted rules of music in his time. You are right that there are some things to improve but the emotion of that piece transcends any small deviations made in performance.

[@chazzmckinney3602]

The reason why I really love this is, because Frank is really a great example of human progress. I say this, because not only is Frank highly talented with the Violin, he is jacked lol. The dude is aesthetic physically. Bach, Mozart, and other great pianists did not look like Frank physically. I don't know if Frank is better than Bach or Mozart, but as a collective whole, Frank is overall a stronger, more aesthetic and equally talented individual.. For more so than previous Violinists.

[@frankyang]

Thanks, and don't forget I also do play the piano, do sculptures, photography, draw, make films, jump 40 inches, and does a psedo philosophy. Even with all that, Mozart's pinky was still a greater individual.

[@chazzmckinney3602]

Frank Yang Oh, one quick question if you don't mind answering. I read a summary of the essay called The Last Messiah by Peter Wessel Zapffe. In this essay is something known as the Distraction method. I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts or insights about that method, because it says that "Distraction focuses all of one's energy on a task or idea to prevent the mind from turning in on itself."

[@brensten32]

lol i think frank has achieved a combination of many things that most people won't ever achieve but to say that frank is more talented than the greatest composers (not simply violinists and also they wrote pieces for other instruments as well) is going a little far. You're comparing frank to some of the greatest minds of history. reason why they weren't as strong, aesthetic was because they devoted most of their time to writing music instead of lifting weights.

[@asspounderify]

Frank Yang I agree. Not that he is better, but for the reason Frank is humble, he deserves praise. For you to compare someone living to someone who is not and of another time period is unfair altogether. This is not to mention you fail to realize to compose and play music is worlds apart from playing music that has already been created by another

[@thagodfather007]

1:20-1:26 is my favourite part. Not sure what it is but it evokes a certain emotion inside me.

[@Zoazaaa]

Muscular frank plays violin= mindfuck

[@C0ldplaynb]

Frank, Just wanted to give a shout out to your magnificent violin playing. Bach's Chacoone is probably my favorite violin piece of all time, and the fact that you have learned and played it so well is amazing. I've listened to Hilary Hahn's version too many times to count and I find it to be a very effective piece to listen to while meditating. Her version's about 17 minutes in length, so for me it's the perfect length. Give it a try and let me know what you think/experience. If you're ever on stage competing for bodybuilding, you should bring your violin on set and play this piece. (or at least as much as you can before they make you stop) for the ultimate Mind/Body transcendence. I picked up the violin about 2 years ago, and you're a big reason why I did so. I may upload the twinkle twinkle challenge for you just for shits. Stay cool Fronk

[@JmmanuelKondo]

+C0ldplaynb Hilary Hahn did the best version of Chaconne. No doubt about that.

[@rogeracharya6175]

too long and very boring, radio is much better

[@damianosky8466]

The violin is molded into fronks brain

[@danjohnson361]

frank just in time for my last meal of the day. 149g protein from tuna, 1.5 cups berries, 1tbs peanut, butter 1tbs honey, a pinch of chocoloate chips. that brings me to 1500kcals for the day. i'm starving on steroids and fatburners for 40 days to get from 15% to 8%. did you do something similar?

[@danjohnson361]

true bodybuild

[@mariablaesing329]

dude 8 percent fat is not healthy.

[@FreedomOfSport]

Will we hear you play piano anytime soon?

[@IxumtheNaughty]

Too much vibrato D:

[@exc17ed]

Frank i think you should play Summer by Vivaldi, it will suit you so much! It`s a mix of bizzare and aggressive feelings with grounding and creativity, you will express it fabulously i am sure! Greetings1

[@ragcage]

Beautifull Frank, This is the true art of mindfuck. Was working out with your music in the background, it was perfect. You are awesome, keep the good stuff coming. By the way, what's your opinion on Crossfit? Have you ever done it or will you post a vid about it?

[@octanesp2]

Mr Yang a man of many talents! How long you been playing for?

[@flybikes29]

I'm wondering as well

[@magnekloster2712]

Probably his whole life, considering he's asian.

[@wfaefwefawfeyhjnyik]

Hi Frank, what happened to your Rooftop Violin Bach/Back and Bicep workout video? It was a great vid and it used to be on your vimeo but it looks like you deleted it.

[@blackholism]

awesome Frank! I gave up trying to perfect this piece I couldn't even finish learning. I play classical guitar and I'm on part 1 roughly 4 minutes into the piece then bodybuilding and life took over.

[@iCrispyBaconHD]

frank, what do you think heifetz would say about your rendition? also, how much would you give to have him return from the dead and give you a private masterclass?

[@pmj24]

mana orang malaysia

[@Universal_sasuke821]

Well done Frank. I really liked it. Don't pay attention to those mean commemts. It was nice to hear your interpretation.

[@jeffrety1]

Frank I've realized you've played this multiple times, do you practice multiple pieces or are you just tryif to master this ?

[@conrifor]

Need Mirin gainz while playing violin. Undergarments will be wet if this happens.

[@tunafishmaki]

the fact you did this shirt less makes bach badass... now if only i could do that while playing WTC

[@XtianFreak]

You so should do a collaboration with the performing artist Matthew Silver, it would be super epic!!

[@unknowmOOsewasfound]

Nothing beats Bach. Great video/performance/memorization of the piece!

[@3082103]

Artsy jock. Hot!

[@naravas8331]

At some point I realised I didn't want it to end haha. I loved it, all of it. Thank you for the performance.

[@greenscreen6407]

I like the transition at 7:04 it's sad but melancholy it's a interesting transition#artst feels 7:0☺

[@sandromoncivaiz1313]

grammy

[@Vientodecristo]

I hear this and I feel nothing but passion rise out of me... I love it, Thank you Frank

[@gelatnis]

veni vidi vici Vi Vi An

[@JulioDx3480]

Very nice.

[@debit256]

niccc

[@chrisadams7085]

340-450 😳

[@fergal2424]

Well done Frank, beautiful and inspiring performance.

[@AmazingMichaelJordan]

This man is amazing.

[@zSticky]

Easily the best video from you so far. Keep it up Frank

[@Bootlegvibes]

What's the name of the song he played in the beginning?

[@AnthonyTran]

thank you for this experience, frank.

[@andrewphouangphrachanh7575]

Damn ..good one .*applauds*....let's lift sometime..

[@MrDubooo]

Watched the whole thing. Just incredible.

[@jiewolf]

That was a captivating performance. Bravo!

[@afshiro8]

Frank, do you use any special techniques to help you memorize music? When I was taking lessons, the guy told me just to do it a line at a time and ultimately piece it all together.

[@Tyler-us9ms]

Guitar player of 13 years, classically trained. I was taught to play 8-16 bars at a time while learning the song, starting from the last 8-16 and working my way back through the song 8-16 at a time until playing from the beginning all the way through.

[@thomasrad6296]

Congrats on completing the piece.

[@immaletyoufinish]

shudve added 3 more seconds brah

[@dankartor426]

Wow, I'm speechles by the beauty.

[@hrstg]

fuck yeah dude, you are amazing !

[@erictrivelli9357]

this a beautiful piece of music

[@shareefbokai3094]

Aesthetics overdose Fronk

[@MrAscension_]

3:50 :D

[@delattrelaura8827]

Good job :) But i don't agree with you : violin is not the one of the hardest instrument to play

[@bren3750]

uhhhhh 👀👀👀

[@billybobjoe3711]

The quote in your description isn't by Bach. Brahams said that about the Chaconne

[@ApplepieFTW]

this

[@popkornking]

That was wonderful Frank :)

[@tailwip97]

beautiful

[@Vientodecristo]

I still watch this even in 2020

[@Tool20001]

It would have been even more impressive if it was done all in one take with no breaks or anything.

[@frankyang]

it was in one take read the caption. thanks.

[@telekinovice]

single tear drop.

[@TheBowcat]

RAISING THE PALATE

[@asspounderify]

Perhaps. The violin is the true BBC Frank has been eluding to this whole time And thus, the world was created from the physical and mental BBC

[@secondsandthings]

Are you in Taiwan now?

[@youngmsdance1931]

Frank you're soo supernatural ♡

[@kentzuke]

Lovely

[@thon993]

thank you for sharing frank

[@exterminador740]

NICE!

[@BenjaminBenson25]

what an experience...

[@brydon10]

Bravo!

[@thomashampton2019]

great performance

[@DarvasNetto]

wow 12:20 wow

[@PARSLEYtheLI0N]

Sublime

[@brutalenfilade1841]

More like this please!