J.S. Bach Sixth Suite BWV 1012

A Canadian School of Double Bass production
J.S. Bach Sixth Suite for solo cello performed on double bass
Performer/Arranger Joel Quarrington
Former Principal Bass London Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Professor Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Principal National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa Canada.
Video, audio, and production by Travis Harrison
Filmed May 28, 2018 at St-Stephen's Parish in Chelsea, Québec
Prelude 0:10
Allemande 4:54
Courante 13:15
Sarabande 17:08
Gavottes 22:19
Gigue 26:42
www.joelquarrington.com

[@elinaragon5051]

Me: "yeah the 6th suite is pretty much impossible to play well on the bass." Joel: "Hold my beer."

[@rinatibragimov]

fantastic!

[@eerbrev]

the best compliment I can give is that I just sat back and enjoyed it, unlike so many bass recordings of Bach.

[@nazer9]

Ah, that fifths tuning really got ya huh?

[@DanielKurganov]

Making an instrument of that size disappear is no easy feat. Incredible playing!!

[@jip8793]

I'm playing bass for 18 years now and can't imagine ever reaching this level of musicality and technique. It's just unreal. What a stunning musician.

[@iloveSUVs]

3:39 This has to be the most incredible and challenging line ever played on a bass.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Fifths tuning solves that problem since it's the same as a cello.

[@Pepobass1]

I am in Cusco Peru looking at the ancient Incas city from the window of the hotel and listening to Mr Quarrington wonderful performance of Bach’s cello suite number 6. Just beautiful!!

[@JoelQuarrington]

Pedro Fuentes goo.gl/images/R5uXyT

[@nathanjiang100]

the fact that i’m having trouble learning this piece on cello itself (i’ll be a little nice to myself by saying that i’m using a 4-string cello but still) and he’s playing this nearly perfectly on a double bass is just mind blowing.

[@T3RB3R9]

absolutely beautiful. this is a groundbreaking and important recording that people will be talking about for decades.

[@Ipsifendis]

this is incredible. darkness and luminosity are so much more contrasted by playing this on the bass. thank you.

[@Ipsifendis]

the 5th and 6th cello suites i consider to be chiaroscuro paintings for the cello; the bass only gives it a larger canvas. as a cellist they're difficult enough pieces for strings tuned in 5ths; i can imagine how challenging it was to transcribe this for strings in 4ths. i remember paolo pandolfo's groundbreaking recording of the six cello suites on viola da gamba - and mr quarrington's interpretation here is every bit as delightful and with much more resonance than the gamba.

[@isaacglassman8196]

I listen to this at least once a day - it's probably my favourite recording of any musical piece ever. There is something particularly transcendental about your performance here. A real masterpiece, I am so grateful that you have given us this gift, Joel!

[@johnwieland6627]

You can't argue with this-it's the best 6th Suite on bass ever. When I retire I might switch to tuning in 5ths like this and give it a go! Beautiful playing, JQ, just beautiful. I'm ashamed I've never heard you play before.

[@Wwise_sounds]

the man, the myth, the legend

[@LaurenPierceBass]

Absolutely stunning.

[@davidmaslow399]

Simply breathtaking in its beauty! Joel Quarrington is one of finest classical bassists living!

[@Dashlab_]

the amount of skill and practice that goes into this has to be tens of years of work, its so beautiful dare i say perfect

[@marksands1861]

Amazing. Played on the cello is difficult enough but on the double bass well what can one say......almost impossible. By the way the 19 thumbs down where the 19 other bassists this man beat out in past auditions.

[@christinenewland386]

Only jealous wannabes would give a thumbs down. Joel is a gift to this world....especially now.

[@jacobnathanson9863]

Hats off to you Joel! This Suite is a mountain for cellists but for a bass player it’s basically akin to landing on the moon.

[@Benjybass]

He has always preached the use of tuning the Double Bass in 5ths. This is a truly fine example of what can be done in this realm.

[@doublepick]

This just shouldn’t be physically possible given the height of the strings above the finger board. It is a miracle on just too many levels. ❤

[@youraveragemex]

Yea, the action of the strings seems really high. My hands hurt watching this 😅

[@theevy9221]

TO THE 20 PEOPLE WHO DISLIKED . . . May the lord save your soul.

[@tonyjohnson5893]

This morning, the first day of 2019, the first thing I did was listen to this with deep joy. Thank you Joel, I could not have a better start to the year !

[@JoelQuarrington]

Hi Tony, That meant a lot to me; thank you!

[@DarkShroom]

i don't think i've seen anyone play this any better

[@jeffwood9728]

Exquisite playing. The test is that you forget it's a bass. Just a beautiful instrument. Wonderful feeling for this noble music.

[@maruuman]

Absolutely beautiful. Didn't think anyone could play it it so fantastically on the Double bass!! It's better than most cello versions that I have heard!

[@juliangilcuartas2216]

MAESTRO JOEL, DIOS CUIDE CADA LATIDO DE SU CORAZÓN. CON SEGURIDAD, EL BESO QUE ENVIÓ AL FINAL DE LA GRABACIÓN, LLEGÓ AL CIELO!!!!!

[@blampainbenoit6047]

Je félicite monsieur QUARRINGTON, pour son courage, sa complète folie, son immense talent et la justesse de son propos.

[@hajoheinz4029]

This piece is even hard enough to play on the Cello!

[@ceccarius33]

Normally despite being a double bass player I don't like bach played on our instrument ... but this interpretation deserves praise. fantastic. ;-)

[@christinenewland386]

Few cellists, let alone bassists do justice to this work. Joel becomes the music! Fills my heart and soul with such joy! ❤

[@balazsreti7528]

Edgar Meyer's recordings of Bach's cello suits also worth your time.

[@ceccarius33]

@@balazsreti7528 yes I know. very beautiful. I met Edgar Meyer, a great musician. I was lucky enough to play it at a concert in Rome.

[@lixu8023]

a big cello with organ's sound

[@hugeshows]

I never thought I would hear a bassist perform Bach cello suites on the same level as Edgar Meyer. I was mistaken.

[@vladimir6586]

Bravo, great! I wanted see 19 people who didn't like this performance!

[@shelleycoopersmith855]

This is stunningly beautiful; listening to this is helping me reflect and grieve the unexpected sudden loss of a friend and colleague. I will watch this video and listen to it many more times, no doubt. Thank you.

[@one-musicianone-mic2583]

Utterly sublime an antidote to modern banality

[@phineasbluster2872]

I was conservatory trained bassist. Played here n there. Used to think that Karr, Meyer were the ultimate bass players. Couple years ago I found out that there are incredibly good players on KZbin. You, sir, go beyond the others. You are probably among the top 4 or 5 (euroclassical and otherwise) I've encountered. You seem like a good friend of Meister Bach himself. You GET! The spirit of it... entirely and are ingeniously MUSICAL on the bass fiddle as well. Unforgettably and unbelievably so.

[@gregoryf4186]

Mark Morton is pretty good, especially his recording of Bottesini’s Variations on nel cor piu non mi sento

[@GeckoBass]

Well you have to be decent to inherit Rinat’s position of principal bass of the London Symphony Orchestra haha

[@shawnmarko7131]

Just sublime

[@Gabriel-icm]

The kiss at the end! Ad maiorem Dei gloriam!!!

[@phillipmaclellan7360]

Such a perfect union between two of the greatest masters: J.S. Bach & Joel Quarrington! Kudos to Travis Harrison for his Sound and Video artistry allowing us to appreciate Quarrington’s talent, effort and skills. Thank you for this long anticipated gift to the world of music.

[@christinenewland386]

Awesome Joel!!!!! Thanks for posting this! ox

[@MusicoftheSpheres]

My double bass teacher once gave me a copy of your Naxos Bottesini recordings for my birthday and I was stunned by your playing. This video leaves me feeling exactly the same way! Glorious!

[@lionelmartin1]

So wonderful! Gives cellists a different view of the piece. Thank you so much!

[@IvicaMarusevic]

Absolutely stunning!!!

[@christopherbonds9553]

Absolutely wonderful--one of the finest performances of anything I've ever heard.

[@cplbass]

You are making music history. Amazing performance.!!

[@jeanpeloquin7242]

J’ai vu et écouté plusieurs fois. Quelle impressionnante maîtrise et quelle beauté en tout! Ça va droit au cœur ... pour y rester. Merci!

[@CC-Pi]

My jaw just dropped in amazement... !!! wow!

[@literateka]

My reaction exactly, even though I got here after hearing violoncello da spalla version of this suite, by which I thought I was completely blown away.

[@mrcuttime22]

Beautiful Joel! Bravo!

[@eomcello]

Just incredible, Joel! Really beautiful and inspiring playing.

[@mcnaire2004]

Wonderful playing Joel. I really enjoyed this. You have such an organic and unique powerful sound. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrisharrison809]

Bro... you are a damn beast.

[@Zeesboy]

Gotttttttt Dammmmmmmmmmmmm! That was some truly divine bass playing, Joel. Thank you.

[@SebastianNordstrom]

Thank you Joel, this was a great christmas present

[@peterstotijn1475]

Thank you very much Joel, for this beautiful Christmas present. Big compliment!

[@JoelQuarrington]

That's wonderful for you to say so! It was a pleasure to meet you and I can't begin to tell you how much I think of Rick; bravo to you!

[@hisxmark]

One of the best things intelligence has filtered from the cosmic microwave background radiation.

[@JoelQuarrington]

Can I quote you?

[@hisxmark]

@@JoelQuarrington Yes, but you needn't cite.

[@GiancarloPavan]

Really extraordinary and excellent

[@Michaluis84]

This is just amazing...

[@vladimirgolikov287]

МИСТЕР ДЖОЭЛ КВАРРИНГТОН !!!!!!!!!!! ВЫ ВЕЛИКИЙ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! БРАВО МАЭСТРО !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! БРИЛЛИАНТОВЫЙ БЛЕСК !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kaikessler3661]

Crème de la crème de la... SO geil gespielt!

[@kaikessler3661]

Eine große Ehre... Ich bin ein alter, völlig unbedeutender Kontrabassist Wie genial dass jemand spielen kann wie ich es gerne würde

[@theodorewhite6020]

extraordinary playing--very beautiful instrument-great intonation

[@MrBassflute]

Gorgeous, Mr. Quarrington. You are the Mischa Maisky of double bass. Wonderful!

[@angelandresmarquez]

I have been absolutely impressed listening to this master musician and performer. Thank you very much for your effort and musical gift.

[@alexandersvensen8882]

Unbelievable. Absolutely stunning performance.

[@nutrio8058]

Amazing!

[@claudeg.thompson7103]

C'est tellement accompli que ça me fait pleurer d'émotions.

[@trueblack6760]

Joel, I was shocked... Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful music with us!

[@Winonazelenka]

So beautiful, Joel!! Love it...bravo

[@JoelQuarrington]

Thank you Winona! It means a lot to me that you like it because I used your recording for so much inspiration! Thank you!

[@umi5082]

I couldn’t believe how clean the Sarabande was. That’s one of the hardest cello pieces out there and to see it on double bass it a great experience

[@cellotennis]

not QUITE human...

[@elisabetecosta1033]

Puissance Beauté Délicatesse et Maestria!!! Merci

[@sebastiancazares9515]

excellent, the best i´ve in the day, and probably in the week, month, year and all my life. Fabolous, i´m a 14 years old double bassist and this is a big inspiration for me.

[@MrJAOmArCeLiNo]

You'll live forever.

[@JoelQuarrington]

I wish!

[@johannesbusch8161]

What a sound! Beautiful! Excellent performance! Thank you!

[@christinenewland386]

Joel...I have so much respect, love and admiration for you and your musical expression. Purely heavenly! This lifted my spirits! Ox

[@alyoshaproductions]

Bravo!!!! Wonderful.

[@myzenzeromisty162]

Un'emozione indicibile! Un suono meraviglioso! Carezze per l'anima!

[@maxmelchert7618]

Truly a masterclass performance. Brilliant.

[@catherinegatefin116]

so nuanced and moving

[@barney6888]

I get to boast here 'cuz when I was studying composition with Dolin I had the wonderful opportunity to watch Joel come to one of our classes and do the vB 5th scherzo and discuss the bass. I would've been in my early 20's and he was a teen, I believe. He whipped thru the Beethoven with ease with Dolin saying "that really is quite good", which from Dolin was as rare as hen's teeth.

[@cesarleon2562]

Very impressive!

[@ubipatumbi]

Infinite thanks for sharing it ... I can't stop listening to it over and over again ... and that Maggini is incredible!!!

[@ladislaudarida8310]

I don’t believe that....was so beautiful,wonderful playing.Excellent.Thank you.

[@JoelQuarrington]

Thanks you so much! I used to know a viola player who sat in front of me in the Toronto Symphony with the same name as yours; what a co-incidence!

[@ladislaudarida8310]

As a matter of fact that guy is me. I very much admire your playing!That Allemand is heart breaking and so on.....!

[@FCleff]

Absolutely beautiful!! I have enjoyed your recordings for YEARS. Seeing you perform is equally inspiring and educational. Thank you.

[@ryanpetriello3461]

Thank you for sharing this, Joel!

[@omarmartinez5750]

Beautiful!

[@inciatalay6021]

Beatiful Bass solo, my favorite kind of music scales. Good for the soul, Masterful. Thank you Joel and Travis. Encore!!

[@crlsdario]

I feel inspired, the next will be a super enthusiastic practice sesion!! Thanks a lot for your playing, Mr. Quarrington.

[@aartedoverso]

This is the best interpretation of all 6ths i ever heard (cello include). Maestro, i'm changing my bass to 5ths very right now!

[@davidhuckaby832]

I'm 67 and Have played violin fo years and also play cello. But this is the most outstanding performance of what beauty a bass can sing. Nicely done, Joel!!!

[@cellopirate]

love this so much. Fantastic playing! I'm learning this now as a long term project and staying in good playing shape. I find it challenging on cello, but I love the way you make the bass SING

[@JoelQuarrington]

Thank you very much girlwithcello!

[@andrewpitts7036]

Beautiful in so many ways. I wonder what bass he is playing. It looks like a Magginni...

[@diegobanjocontrabajo]

in the key of G! amazing playing, beautiful sound.. those chords!!

[@drodriguez120]

awesome performance, listen to a double bass so strong and powerfull at the begining and then so smooth and light is just great.

[@robertocaracciolo7612]

Bravissimo. Complimenti. Pezzo non facile......d'altronde e' Bach. Guai se non fosse cosi'

[@CaliTrader77]

Who in their right mind would dislike this? Truly spectacular. Thank you for putting something as beautiful as that playing (and music) out into this world.

[@DavidDalyDoubleBass]

Just a wonderful performance of this glorious music. Bravo, bravo and thank you Joel, a real joy.

[@JoelQuarrington]

Thanks so much David, I hope we meet sometime when I'm over in the UK. Cheers!

[@cellolegend]

OMG! That was stunning and courageous! Bravo!

[@SteveAbrahall]

Thank you Joel - this made my morning - I'm a bit stumped for words but will try and find some. The bass player in me wants all the technical data - but the music it's self is just having this massive positive physiological effect. What was it James Brown said? "I feel good" !

[@JoelQuarrington]

I knew that you would!

[@miguelnazardaza7507]

De las 6 suite de Bach la 6 es una o la más hermosa de todas. Siempre la escuche por varios interpretes en cello, pero esta interpretación no solo es buena es magistral. Respeta los tiempos los silencios y sobretodo logra la espiritualidad de la obra. Yo no soy creyente, pero al final cuando termina solo queda lo que hace, dar gracias.

[@duett445]

Amazing- Amazing fantastic player .

[@Anonymous-ci3fz]

Perfect. love how the video had some picture of the glass paneling of the church. beautiful.

[@jamescammack6720]

Tremendous bass artistry on an instrument that is extremely cumbersome to master. Beautifully done man!

[@camusmonamour]

un grand merci Joel pour votre prestation et votre beau jeu. - un contrebassiste français