Is This Bach's Most Beautiful Piece?

Brandon Acker performing J.S. Bach's Sinfonia from his "Actus Tragicus" BWV 106 which is originally for a group of 5 musicians. The instrument is an archlute by Jaume Bosser in Spain.
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[@brandonacker]

Learn to play classical guitar without fingernails in just 10 days with Brandon Acker 🎸 classicalguitar-pro.com/p/no-nails-in-10-days

[@lowandodor1150]

Ahh, i have not replied to your nice offer and question about my finger nails! The middle finger which stopped growing years ago and the ring finger who tore all the way to the bed of the nail on the right side and that tiny part does not grow back either. All my other nails grow normally. And this piece is biutiful. What a wonderful instrument! And in your hands, only good things can come out!

[@itaiitai8960]

play poliphia please

[@nomcognom2414]

Beautiful music and playing, thank you! BTW, Jaume Bosser is in Catalonia, a part of Catalonia today falling within Spain, but other parts fall within other countries (such as Andorra, France, and even Sardinia). Whatever the luthier's political ideas regarding Catalan sovereignty (which he likely supports), I'd suggest referring to him as Catalan, more safely than Spanish. 😉 For some bizarre reason, political I guess, mass media in English tend to refer to Catalonia as a region (of Spain or France), while correctly referring to, say, Scotland, as a nation, never a British or UK "region".

[@francoisbruel9163]

OK each single piece of JS Bach is indeed his most beautiful piece the moment you ear it.

[@johkkarkalis8860]

Well said! Bach was incapable of a clunker. The stars were in perfect alignment when this sublime artist was conceived! Music as the perfect anodyne for our perilous, brutish times.

[@Cegros]

I like to think it’s because he really was trying to glorify his faith in every composition. Bach REALLY believed he was responsible for doing that with his talents. Humankind’s greatest works are ALWAYS in service of a higher good. Whether it’s rescuing a kitty from a tree or helping an old lady cross the street, or writing some of the greatest music ever. These are all great works.

[@gabriellangston3175]

Sorry but thats a laymans opinion. If you take the entire body of his work about 30-35% is great. This is higher than say Mozart in the 25-30%. This isnt my opinion. This is from multiple PHD professors with reasoning behind the analysis, and peer reviewed agreement based on how the feel and sound. For example Bach wrote Cantatas for every single day of the YEAR at his position in Leipzig. Im sorry but some of those arent good. He has a very small body that are above all else and divine, the Suites for solo cello, violin partitas, the Art of the Fugue. Calm down and come back to Earth. He was human. Hi batting average was indeed quite high and is generally considered the best to ever live.

[@johkkarkalis8860]

@@gabriellangston3175 Peer reviewed by multiple PhD professors? What are we talking about here? A new wonder drug for itchy hemorrhoids or the music of J.S. Bach? I entirely agree with you that there is a spectrum of "greatness " in Bach's works as there is in Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven. From my untutored layperson impression the B-minor Mass Is certainly "weightier" than the "Coffee Cantata". They are both certainly to be enjoyed.

[@tjallingdalheuvel126]

Mwah. Try walking into the church Bach wrote BWV 565 and the organ player wanting to show you wrong, because you down talked his beloved instrument. No problem admitting to have been deadwrong. This is sweet. That was breathtaking.

[@tomk8729]

One of the earliest pieces of Bach we have too, written when he was about 21.

[@Trobtwillis]

I think that J.S. Bach wrote the famous organ solo Toccata & Fudge 😉 in D Minor when he was 18. That has always impressed me because it sounds like someone with such a thorough mastery of chords, that I would have thought would have been a professional musician for decades, like at least 35 to 45 years old. 🎹 Then there's W.A. Mozart. He was freakishly precocious!

[@sarahwithanh876]

In my humble opinion, anything played with this much feeling is always beautiful.

[@tj03297]

Even Barry Manilow?

[@rahabintemotiul7418]

Bach's music is perfection

[@GordonPavilion]

…except for that one note…

[@AnthromanCA]

what was once reserved for the halls of royalty is now here for us all to enjoy. cheers to your ears :)

[@gerardvila4685]

Bach started as a court musician, but the second part of his life he was Cantor (church music director) of Leipzig. So any Leipzig church-goer would have heard his music every Sunday. Fun fact: he actually repurposed a hymn to his old patron "Glory to Leopold", changing its wording to "Glory to God" or similar (I got this is from John Eliot Gardiner's book). It goes to show that even when you're the greatest musical genius in history, you don't necessarily feel inspired every day.

[@johkkarkalis8860]

​@@gerardvila4685Yes. Even the greatest composers recognize a great tune and aren't reluctant to recycle or "repurpose" the tune. A very great composer like Bach, however, can take a mundane tune offered by the king and produce a Masterwork, "The Musical Offering". Bravo Herr Bach!

[@martuuk8964]

Note that this piece was the opening movement to a funeral cantata that he wrote for one of his uncles that he very much adored. So really this piece was heard for the first time in a church by many common folk. Although he was a court composer for some parts of his life, the vast, vast majority of his music (the cantatas, organ works, motets/choral etc) was composed for the common people to hear in a church setting.

[@bahoonies]

Is this Bach's most beautiful piece? I don't know. But I do know that it is music for the soul, and I am much the better for hearing it. Perhaps his most beautiful piece is lying in some dusty archive waiting to be discovered. My Bach desert island piece is BWV 645 Wachet Auf from the Schübler Chorales. I fell in love with it when I was only 14 years old and have never stopped loving it. it's taken me until now, aged 71, to sit down and begin to learn it on my guitar. Every mistake I make is a pleasure because I get to caress it over and over until I get it right? The world is a better place for having Bach in it, and for Felix Mendelssohn and his great aunt Sarah Itzig Levy for saving his extraordinary works from obscurity.

[@ejret]

my Bach desert island piece is Chaconne BWV 1004.probably the most beautiful classical piece Bach ever wrote in my opinion.i have performed the BWV 645 with another guitarplayer.very nice piece.good luck on learning it.

[@jameshumphrey2345]

Recognized this immediately! Back in college I had the privilege of singing tenor in a small choir that was pulled together with a Baroque instrumental group to perform this very cantata. Definitely a musical highlight of my life.

[@writerontour48]

There is something unearthly beautiful about it. An example that music says much more than countless words. Beautiful!!!

[@carlapr97]

"Despite its close temporal proximity to Cantata 131, which in form and stylistic attributes is everywhere in evidence, the Actus Tragicus is a work of genius such as even great masters seldom achieve. Here, in one stroke, the twenty-two-year-old composer left all his contemporaries far behind him. Of course, it could be argued that in later years Bach’s art became a great deal more mature, but it hardly grew more profound. The Actus Tragicus belongs to the great musical literature of the world." (Alfred Dürr)

[@pinkfloydhomer]

No, not the most beautiful but one of many, many beautiful Bach pieces

[@timgoodwintv]

This piece had Bach’s signature touch all over it. It’s the most Bach sounding piece of Bach.

[@fallowfieldoutwest]

Yeah Brandon would know. He studied under Bach

[@oomphlagwumpla650]

or perhaps bach studied under him hm?

[@hellomate639]

​@@oomphlagwumpla650Funny joke, but even tho he's older than Bach, it would show.

[@rasmusjp]

Way Bach when.

[@sarahwithanh876]

@@rasmusjp😂😂😂😂😂

[@thomasdequincey5811]

@fallowfieldoutwest Is your comment supposed to be a joke, a slur or a delusional fact? 'Cause I don't get it.

[@user-qb1sm3rk9r]

I played electric guitar for years before I took the plunge and started classical. I've certainly enjoyed my fauré into guitar, it's good for strauss relief. I keep coming bach to guitar composers like Sor and Giuliani, learning their works keep me bizet. Where have they been haydn all my life? Learning more about guitar is certainly on my chopin liszt.

[@andriyko1604]

I have listened to several different arrangements of this sonatina, yet, this one seems to be the most pleasing to my ears. With respect to this musical piece by J.S. Bach, the arrangements is the most beautiful one for sure.

[@nimamoradi2660]

Its Not just about playing it but it also needs to understand what the piece is telling you...well done❤

[@borism5057]

This is beautiful indeed, something seldom encountered. But there are many of Bach's most beautiful pieces, such as Organ Sonata No. 4, BWV 528: II. Andante (performed by Víkingur Ólafsson on piano), Cello Suites (performed by Petrit Çeço on guitar), various renditions of the Chaconne, Choral BWV 147, to name just a few. However, this performance is the first time I've heard it, and it is indeed beautiful. Many thanks for this gift, sir.

[@RicardoPinto___]

The modulation in the major key surprised me! What a masterpiece! Comgrats!

[@OrLy-ut7ro]

Listen to the whole of BWV 106, it's worth it!

[@joemahlerng]

All music by Bach are beautiful

[@johkkarkalis8860]

Beautiful indeed! A magnificent mind. Newton had it. Leonardo had it. Yet for the most part, Bach considered himself primarily a servant of his faith.

[@NinaHansen2008]

Love your music, Brandon!

[@macschomo]

Timeless art. Pure love to music.

[@notrickc-1379]

Sounds great! Give yourself a pat on the Bach for this one

[@stevenqirkle]

Very beautiful piece. And beautifully played and recorded as always

[@andrewhubatsek6899]

this is fantastic! thank you Brandon.

[@hm5142]

One of my favorites as well.

[@Oswald_Anthony]

The Best Music will never die ...

[@Mats.Fagerberg]

Beatiful music and beatifully played!

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

Lovely piece played beautifully by the Master, Brandon❤❤👏👏👏👏👏

[@lucasfernandeschagas8533]

Very beautiful, Brandon!

[@ScholaCantorumSalta]

Yes, indeed! I dare say with no doubt this is my favourite piece by Bach.❤❤❤❤ Nice rendition too!

[@paulsmith634]

Thank you for preserving the spirit of the Echo in the duetto : I find solo versions to lack the mournful pair…parents/angels weeping over the young loss etc

[@alsojane4158]

Wow! Just wow! ❤

[@LeonardoVarasGuerrero]

Beautiful! And interesting choice to mirror the videos, I liked it

[@johnkennedyalves8162]

That was amazing! Greetings from Brazil!

[@curtvahle2018]

Loved it! You have a God given gift Brandon. More please :)

[@jeanfrancoisboisvert7839]

Gorgeous.

[@kinghomerrendon1328]

Amazing! Such an amazing in this modern days

[@oscarphillipromer960]

Beautiful

[@jub8891]

this was great! Bach's pieces are so recognisable for some reason 😊

[@heidi7029]

Very beautiful you did a good job! That honey colored lute sounds as sweet as it looks 🧡

[@scafatiguitars9472]

Its beautiful!

[@lindamclean8809]

Very nice. Thank you. ❤❤❤❤

[@druchumley4571]

I just thought I'd listened to a lot of Bach while apparently just scratching the surface. It's amazing to realize how much is out there for me to discover.

[@juanrodrixz11]

Preciosa y tenue interpretación 👏

[@richmondstevenj]

Beautiful. Sheep May Safely Graze is my favorite.

[@muxion]

same here, i have loved Bach for pver 50 years

[@wilburdog4508]

love this

[@milakhafizova3597]

fab! thanks!

[@dennisschwartzentruber3204]

Thank you !

[@marcnevins9491]

It is very beautiful

[@Inf0rmatix]

Wow Brandon. You’re a true master of the lute. All of them 😄

[@Wolf_K]

Very nice, Brandon Bachker.

[@felixthecat0371]

Nice to hear the new archlute, I was curious how this one fits in with what you do compared to the other one you have used in other videos.

[@GerardoJimenez-rt5dc]

Amazing ❤

[@NyebolszinAntal1968]

👏👏👏 Bravissimo!

[@oov55]

lovely

[@LynnDavidNewton]

Very nice version! I like the original because of the way the recorders overlap each other in that first part, which requires sustaining instruments to be most effective. But Bach's music is so perfect it's almost impossible to hurt it. I love the depth of sound on the deep notes of your instrument.

[@ASh-lh4vk]

I Love This

[@kytaristka]

Great!!! Greetong from Czech!

[@donsena2013]

Music in tis purest form, that of the Baroque Era -- of which Bach was certainly the ultimate master

[@luke211286]

Finalmente! I was waiting for time eternal for you to play music by the meister

[@emanuelecanepa6312]

Bravooo! 👏

[@Martin-qd9ok]

First time hearing this...😮❤

[@truekingvictory]

Sublime! 🌟😇

[@propman3523]

The lute has so much soul.

[@jacobeames4093]

I dont think anyone could disagree after hearing you play it 😍

[@Anyonecandoit26]

One of my favourites is the slow movement from Bach's Italian Concerto.

[@istillremain9064]

This was special.

[@luisagrima7516]

Muy bonita

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

More!

[@jamesbudlong749]

My favorite is the Prelude No. 22 in B-flat minor BWV 867 from "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier". But besides that I simply LOVE Bach for many, many beautiful pieces he has given to the world.

[@MUHAMMADQASIMMAKAOfficial]

nice sharing

[@christopherotto5433]

One of my favorite cantatas -- written as funeral music, but nevertheless playful and it hits the exact emotional register it needs to hit. p.s. I'm very much looking forward to hearing you and all the others in Madison in a couple weeks for Monteverdi's Vespers

[@michaelLIPKANlcc]

Thanks!

[@brandonacker]

That is very kind, thank you Michael!

[@kaisersozay99]

Lovely 🤟🤟🏽🤟🏿

[@vai160]

You put your heart and soul into the piece, which makes it incredible. However, for me, Bach's best piece will always be the chaconne. I hope I'll have the chance to listen to you playing it with whichever instrument you prefer.

[@markcutshall6432]

So beautiful. Makes me sad to think that much of Bach’s music will never be heard since he began decomposing quickly at the time of his death.

[@What-the-meow-meow]

Nice joke I got it :3

[@johkkarkalis8860]

Yet, what he left behind as a sublime legacy masks any hint of putrefaction.

[@alanatolstad4824]

This goes to show that each of us has a passion for something, this just happens to be yours!

[@Piroshka1972]

Hello Brandon, beautiful interpretation. I am student in your Arpeggiato school, it has been a fantastic experience.

[@brandonacker]

I'm so happy to hear that! :) I wish you the best with your lessons and hope to see you at a live event.

[@NickKouls]

That was wonderful Brandon! I would love to hear you play some of the more compicated Fugues like BWV 1000 which is one of the most beautiful pieces written by Bach imo! I know its a pain but I'd love to hear your take on it, with no nails and one string trilles! 😊

[@stevanvasiljevic6072]

Yes

[@rferreol]

Yes !

[@coulie27]

So many are more beautiful than this. But as they say, it is in the ear of the beholder.

[@jasonbutt7199]

Yes it is 😊

[@QueenChristine826]

Bach does play to the soul.

[@susanfrancois1821]

Wow

[@dosergiobr]

Well done and the most beautiful piece is the Aria on the G string BWV 1068.

[@angreagach]

My personal favorite is the G# Minor Prelude from Book II of the Well-Tempered Clavier. I'm especially fond of Wanda Landowska's performance, which is available on KZbin.

[@a11pu1poj]

Great work!! always curious on which part you record first?

[@ff_crafter]

Nice

[@O-sa-car]

My pick is the sinfonia for Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis (BWV 21). Like most of his cantatas, the Herreweghe recording is the best. It'd be fun to hear you do an arrangement for oboe d'amore and theorbo.

[@user-it5pt1um7f]

Yes it is !

[@alecsmith9245]

I would love to see a video of Brandon playing some kind of dark, haunting piece on either the theorbo or the archlute. Ever since seeing the video he did with Rob Scallon on the theorbo I've been a big fan of Brandon and the theorbo has become one of my favorite instruments.

[@brandonacker]

Thanks Alec! I'm glad you like it. There are lots of songs like that in here and on my channel: kzbin.info/aero/PLqjziYes6yPIkbcFhIqNvtciTJqANijZ-&si=p2BOFh3f7uBR1_bs

[@daneberhardt2718]

Beautiful! More music videos please (Scarlatti K.113 🙂)

[@thinkpad20]

This is an amazing performance Brandon! As for Bach's most beautiful piece, well one could name a hundred candidates, but maybe for me the most lovely is BWV 639, "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ".

[@marliesrabisch784]

Ich kenne die Kantate schon lange (ca 50 Jahre)mit dieser Musik, es ist die Trauerkantate Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, gespielt von 2 Blockflöten, wunderschöne Musik

[@christoffernerheimwith1692]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! This man is seriously a true master. Makes me want to quit and keep practicing at the same time. Would you consider to perform this on a classical guitar as well?

[@brandonacker]

You're very kind! For me, baroque music on baroque instruments is too pleasant to use a modern instrument but to each their own 😊

[@christoffernerheimwith1692]

@@brandonacker That makes perfect sense. however, if you would transcribe to classical guitar, what tuning would you consider? ☺

[@mariodriessen9740]

This is beautiful indeed! ❤ There are so many questions I would like to ask. A great number of these questions would be about the instrument. Is there by any chance a video I could watch to learn about this instrument (its age, the tuning, what type of strings are being used, etc.)? 😊

[@CosmicBright]

Props to Brandon for learning how to switch his fretting and plucking hands just for this video!

[@kurtremislettmyr7108]

Sounds like something I've been thinking, like it's very familiar. Wonder if it's because it's natural or basic somehow. Beautiful peace, and will done.

[@giovannipeirone3915]

My favorite is the opening chorus Kommt, ihr Töchter from St Matthew Passion BWV 244 🥰 But there is no shortage of masterpieces in his production...