J.S. Bach, GIGUE FUGUE [BWV 577] - Diane Bish

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Some people think Bish is a bit showy, but the truth is that she is an extremely talented organist. Her pedal technique is superb.

[@shashakeeleh5468]

I think her costuming is beautiful! It's called the JOY of Music for a reason!

[@michaelwisse9284]

That is right 1.52 and futher on indeed superbly played, Praise God

[@SaveKilgenOKC]

I guess we like showy. I mean would we listen to Dr. Williams, Cameron Carpenter, Mr. Fox, Mr. Biggs, and a few select more if they were your average church Allen players? I don't think I would have ever begun liking organ music like I do now if I had never found Mr. Fox's wonderful LP in the back of Peaches Records in "that" section of the store.

[@philipbuisseret8465]

Toooooooo fast its like hitting a thumbtack with a sledgehammer....not a nice rendition at all.

[@spikespa5208]

@@SaveKilgenOKC Got the organ "bug" after hearing an 8 track tape of Fox's Heavy Organ at Winterland in SF , early 70's. With a crowd of very enthusiastic crazies in the audience.

[@kimc3024]

How dare anyone leave a thumbs down icon....for shame.... Bach and Bish: Geniuses Both

[@danielschechter8130]

Brilliant performance. Really horrid videography, and not the best sound quality. I would not dream of giving it a thumbs down for that, but I could understand someone being annoyed by the video.

[@spikespa5208]

So nice to see Diane not hurrying through it like she has to be somewhere.

[@spikespa5208]

@@danielschechter8130 How long ago was this performance? Perhaps the video just wasn't up to today's standards. Enjoy the *music* .

[@danielschechter8130]

@@spikespa5208 The video was posted just five years ago. No idea when it was recorded. Some performances, IMO, are better just as audio. Again, just my opinion, but if you don't have good video, just post the audio. I listen to a lot of wonderful music that has no video. 😊

[@TJMalana]

@@danielschechter8130 Before you start casting stones at least know why the footage is not so great. The Joy Of Music was televised program back in the early 1990s. technology hadn’t advanced at that point in time. Don’t forget someone probably converted this footage from a video tape in digital format. 😀

[@shauncaton5479]

Diane Bish is a person who has devoted her entire life to music and beauty.

[@robinbg]

Diane Bish is truly one of the few GREAT Americans! She never uses Christianity as reason for hate and pours every ounce of her soul into her amazing talent.

[@colinminton9190]

Bach at his most joyous well interpreted by the wonderful Ms Bish. If you are feeling down - just play this!

[@MrFossil367ab45gfyth]

Yeah this organ song sounds happy, joyful and adventurous. I like the pace of this one.

[@peterpage2729]

I used to absolutely LOVE her weekly programs on PBS. I love her style and interpretation of the various pieces she performs AND the history that she teaches before each performance, giving one a deeper meaning and appreciation.

[@kucababi3581]

She shines as much as her clothing, congatulations ! 💖

[@georgefelty6357]

Diane by far is the best woman organist next to some other greats! She is truly blessed by God!

[@kimc3024]

Stunning pipe layout!!! Amazing!!

[@judymuse3738]

Diane, YOU are amazing! Thank you!

[@texanforeverthompson3645]

I listen to this to lift my spirits whenever I feel down. Bish is the best.

[@bootman26]

I have two reasons that I love how Diane Bish showcases the world's most incredible instruments. First, the instruments themselves are magnificent, and the world needs to hear them. Second, the instruments require huge money for maintenance. Diane's presence adds prestige to the instruments, and prestige equals huge $$$ from donors who send lots of money to take care of them. That said, this is one of my favorite organ works and Diane plays it beautifully. Plus, love those shoes!!

[@xFishNinjax]

One of my favorites from Bach, I love his work, especially his fugue pieces. An excellent performance as well, I've never heard her play before.

[@richiejohnson]

Despite her great success, Diane has still not gotten the attention she deserves. I regard her as comparable to Stern or Horowitz. Additionally, she has introduced tremendous numbers of historical and contemporary works to the repertoire. I talked with her after a performance once. It's not something you forget.

[@sailormann1]

I still have old VHS tapes I made of her broadcasts! What a great organist.

[@chrispompano]

Do you remember the Phantom of the Opera I believe she would have performed at Coral Ridge Church with vocalists? Probably in the 80's or 90's.

[@antoniocamargo1683]

Excelente a execução da fabulosa organista. Isso eleva a a alma e emociona o coração.

[@thomasrichardson607]

I think any negative comment should include a link to that commenter playing this outstanding work

[@klop4228]

Except that's completely irrelevant. Bish doesn't suddenly become a bad musician because some dude can play this fugue well. Nor does she become better because whoever complained can't play it. In fact, the only relevant thing is whether the complaint makes sense - and it's completely valid to dislike aspects of the performance (though being rude about it is obviously not good).

[@georgescott3652]

I love this! Brilliantly played with great energy and spirit!

[@rudolphgartner9668]

Splendid performance, as is the case always, with Ms. Diane Bish.

[@jacquesrenelemarchand8714]

Les mains, les pieds courent sur les claviers... Le rythme, le phrasé, les nuances, et les accents, toujours bien placés, nous invitent à danser la Gigue...joyeusement ! Bravo, et Merci beaucoup à vous, chère Diane BISH, pour votre merveilleuse interprétation !!

[@conemadam]

Bien dit!!!

[@philipsudron]

A wonderful no-nonsense performance.

[@Mark_Dyer1]

This, and the Great Fugue in G-Minor, have to be my favourite Bach pieces: and Diane Bish literally dances over the pedalboard in her rendition.

[@silverbrahmapaolino9528]

Absolutely magnificent

[@BackyardBiketours]

I ran out of breath just watching her play, that was a workout!

[@markmiller3713]

Yes

[@mikelonneke1844]

Merry Christmas, Diane! God Bless you and your wonderful work, especially at this special season. From another Friends U. 🎶 musical alum. Mike Lonneke

[@conemadam]

The Best!!!!!

[@neilwalsh3977]

Amen!

[@MrFossil367ab45gfyth]

Nice job! Even though this was a bit too fast, I liked the fast tempo. This piece sounded happy, joyful and adventurous! Keep up the good work. :)

[@joesoy9185]

Dancing feet in silver shoes! Simply wonderful!!

[@TheC3.]

Spectacular!

[@judithlafeir6025]

A beautiful outfit too.

[@scottdunavent]

her performance is unsurpassed by any other organist! Simply stellar!!

[@jcortese3300]

Well, hot damn. Bravissima!

[@williamwaynflete6336]

Camp as a row of tents, but you've got to hand it to Ms BIsh...

[@richiejohnson]

Oh, what a great image! As camp as a row of tents!

[@chrispompano]

Does anyone remember the Phantom of the Opera I believe Diane would have performed at Coral Ridge Church with vocalists???? Probably in the 80's or 90's.

[@kimc3024]

Interesting, too, that Miss Diane had a hand in the design of this multi-manual behemoth!

[@arsmvsica8787]

Une remarquable interprétation de cette magnifique Gigue Fugue en SOL Majeur de Jean-Sébastien BACH ! Le T° rapide, d'une exemplaire régularité ; la bonne registration choisie, qui rend le discours musical très compréhensible ; les accents très bien placés ; enfin, pour votre maîtrise absolue de l'instrument, MILLE MERCI et un TRES GRAND BRAVO !!!

[@conemadam]

Entierement d'accord!!!

[@noraazemog]

This is honestly the best performance of this piece by far. Nothing tops this.

[@fbowie21]

damn bish you killed it

[@texanforeverthompson3645]

@@charleshague8528 Bach WROTE for the general public, so you are full of crap.

[@barney6888]

When I was a kid I made fun of Maestro Bish. Now who's laughing. Magnificent musician she remains.

[@silviarovere7942]

Fantastica!!!!

[@enricodallara991]

Yes the use of pedal is unique

[@rfb91a]

That I would say is a wonderful performance by Diane Bish. Normally my opinion is that she plays things way too fast, but this was very enjoyable.

[@spikespa5208]

For this, a jigue, she plays it at just the right tempo. Although I think it is all kinda muddied and indistinct. An instrument issue, *not* the performer.

[@klop4228]

@@spikespa5208 I'd argue that a performer should know the instrument and acoustic they're playing (in) and be able to adjust accordingly, so this is in fact a performer issue. Well, except for the fact that I somewhat disagree, and that this is a fairly clear recording to my ears :P.

[@davidjames9935]

I have a problem with this performance. The manuals do not have enough contrast in tone so when she alternates the effect is not what it should be. Also I recommend a slightly brighter overall tone on the pedals for a piece like this with fast pedals for clarity reasons. Otherwise it sounds too "muddy". Also, I prefer renditions where the quiet section (starting at 1:30 in this performance) drops to even quieter then rebuilds. Also I wonder why in this piece there isn't a section where the manual part is much more simple to "showcase" the pedal part. I'd give this performance an 8 out of a possible perfect 10.

[@bsgarey]

+David James I think if you where in the church you would notice a bigger difference as it is different ranks. Electronic reproduction is poor at best.

[@chitahigh-performanceopera8246]

Some of us appreciate high energy music even if it sounds muddy to others. Yes, other less energetic performances have greater clarity, but as a rocker I prefer the higher energy performance of this work. And as someone else mentioned, the playback quality of this video isn't the best. Different strokes . . . Reminds me of Johnny Winter performing Highway 61.

[@spikespa5208]

@J. K. The Diane Bish knight protector rides to the rescue again with his(?) terse but shallow remarks.

[@Haynohayhay]

To be honest, I didn't notice it because I don't know what you are talking about 😅

[@JanetESmith-er8sk]

Ms. Bish, You have wonderful feet! Your pedal work is outstanding!

[@marcalex201]

Great perform shame about picture quality (ntsc by any chance?)

[@robertgift]

Fun! But why rushed? The mordents, grace notes and trills heard athe beginning I continue throughouthis joyous work, including in the pedal.

[@mikeeverett2006]

Actually Virgil Fox played it a little bit faster. You can see it here on KZbin. Actually I like her interpretation better.

[@charlesmangum3108]

Diane Bish was among been the best; but when you get to her level of expertise, what difference does it make. She was very good!

[@mikekoster9]

I wish she wold have used the proper stops on the pedal , such as a 32' bombarde for last finsle otherwise superb.

[@redpenink12]

Why does she start so fast and then slow down to the better tempo? Why not the same tempo at the start???

[@redpenink12]

@J. K. haha lol I'm just saying it's not good and I'm also a professional organist :p

[@redpenink12]

@J. K. wow lol you have problems

[@redpenink12]

@J. K. There are more important things than fame my friend

[@spikespa5208]

@@redpenink12 After reading some of his drivel in other threads, I have to agree. @ J.K. has issues.

[@richiejohnson]

I did do a time check on that, and you are correct. She drops about 10 beats per minute from the beginning.

[@brucearmstrong8713]

Bit of a brutal voicing on this. Overkill.

[@hector2038]

Une technique remarquable qui force l'admiration mais je crains qui n'y ait confusion entre vitesse et précipitation ; cette gigue effrénée ne danse pas...

[@henrybird26]

Liked the performance, but the instrument was too large.

[@neilwalsh3977]

What I love about Bach - he avoids strong cadences

[@netterstyl]

Perfectly played, and the organ sounds very nice, but the tempo is just a tad too fast.

[@Dizzyfingers2]

There are THREE voices to this fugue! WHERE is her pedal voicing???? all I hear is her ONE manual!!! Ugh.

[@organchoirman9698]

Just like her Widor Toccata from the fifth symphony. Ridiculously too fast. I studied both of these pieces; the Widor with a student of Widor's and the Bach a student of a world famous organist/student of Langlais. She should know better.

[@asdad2170]

a si deberia de tocar victor unban

[@chitahigh-performanceopera8246]

Rach!

[@larrymerkle1672]

Yes, she gets alll the notes right, but playing everything at break-neck speed does not equate to a satisfying performance.There are other organists around who are much more creative with the instruments they play.

[@spikespa5208]

She plays it quickly because that's the type of piece it is. Any gripe I have is with the organ settings and the church acoustics. Echoes muddling the notes. And the bass pedals don't come through enough.

[@marcussfebruary9104]

Bruhh I thought that she was wearing a playboy outfit for a sec.

[@ObscureAuteur]

Toooooo fast.

[@spikespa5208]

Guess no one is entitled to an opinion but the all knowing J.K.

[@jabou135]

much too fast awfull

[@jabou135]

Also the organ too laud

[@philipbuisseret8465]

Nasty piece played at breakneck speed, lousy registration, she is gifted lady but this sounds absolutely awful.

[@Calvadoslash]

Agree far to fast, and awful registration. She can do much better!