Mark O'Connor Fiddle Solo at Merlefest: Midnight on the Water - Bonaparte's Retreat

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Mark O'Connor performed solo before thousands at Merlefest bluegrass festival in North Carolina (1992). Midnight on the Water (Benny Thomasson) - Bonaparte's Retreat . (Arr. M. O'Connor)
Merle Watson Memorial Festival
For more information on Mark O'Connor, String Camps, The O'Connor Method, ensembles, repertoire, sheet music and more, please visit www.markoconnor...
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[@johnf5476]

This has to be one of the finest violin solo pieces ever

[@AintItGreat]

when a song gets you choked up and it doesnt even have words

[@dansimmons21]

Sometimes instrumental music just says it better than any words ever could.

[@kurtzwar729]

Imagine seeing a 13 year old kid playing jaw dropping, fantastic fiddle and flat top guitar. Busking in Seattle at the Folklife Festival with his hat on the ground. I can still see Mark today. As soulful and brilliant a musician who ever filled the air with such wonderous sounds. I was lucky then. We are all lucky now. Thanks Mark for all the music and memories.

[@markoconnor]

I played this last night in Sonoma County festival, about 3,000 people there and I finally put together a new version of "Bonaparte's Retreat" in the standard tuning after playing it in the cross-tuning my whole adult life. It was a premiere I suppose and the audience loved it just like the original I did at Merlefest all of those years ago. I just posted a picture of Zac Brown below (with Garth Brooks and I) After the show, Zac came up to me and said that he saw me at that Merlefest play this and the set with Tony Rice on stage when he was just 12 years old. He said it inspired him to get into music. Amazing stuff to hear...

[@williamsearle543]

+Mark O'Connor .. Amazing stuff to hear, describes your playing. Thank you for sharing it.

[@Ollinho12]

I really wish this rendition was available on spotify, as it is by far my favourite I've heard thus far. Love it!

[@filthyphil_anitsocialcorner]

thats just saome good stuff

[@Forestbrian88]

i just started playing in december, i initially used the eye-talian tuning, but after seeing mitch Reeds video on cross-tuning (AEAE GDGD) it opened up everything to me.... im now... trying to get used to a more standard tunign using the Cajun tuning FCGD.... im just curious about choosing a tuning.... should i keep learning on different tuning... or stick to one any input is apreciated... as i dont have teachers other then youtube and my own ears :) Keep on rocking that bow, and thank you if you ever read this and reply

[@joe2598]

Mark O'Connor Wonderful fiddling Mark:)

[@brendafuller907]

March 26, 2024. WOW. I've known of Mark & his music for a long time but just now found this. He is an amazing musician.

[@gnothyself]

I've been playing for 17 years and this is a new, unique sound I have not yet come across. The control, the sentimentality, the fire and speed; I am breathless.

[@JustFiddler]

he is amazing

[@RoseMarieRaccioppi]

...the strings sing the heart... and known be the glory of silence in this dance of light... those moments between each note... that living pause between each breath... Thank You for such sounding beauty dear Mark O'Connor.

[@OneFurlongTooLong]

Rose Marie Raccioppi that was beautifully written

[@ShadyGrove14]

This is amazing - such sounds coming out of that old fiddle as if its letting loose of all its past voices long forgotten.

[@Mosaic_Crone]

Was I the only one who had Mark O'Connor's picture taped to my locker door in high school? Everyone else had heavy metal or pop stars & this Irish Girl had Mark O'Connor & Randy Travis 💜

[@cliffsandifer3877]

Mark was 12 and learning fiddle when I was in high school ...so ..... No.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

You're my kind of Girl.

[@Targetteer1]

Yup and the most telling thing...not one single peep from the crowd.Thats the respect all performers deserve,this was just beautiful.

[@Glassandcandy]

Audience reaction isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Different types of music have different types of decorum when performed

[@Kazmation]

Maybe not performers...?

[@TheLouise24]

I was there!! And those thousands and I loved this performance. And being of Irish descent myself, I especially like the reels, jigs, ballads, and folk songs.

[@dustymiller8284]

I first hear Midnight on the Water when I picked with Mark many years ago. He was perhsps 14 at the time maybe younger. I had been playinf for maybe 12 years. He picked up my mandilin and played a flawless Bucks Run. I was amazed as I am today. I have followed his career with pride. I was not surprised to see him on stage as a back up musician, then a headliner. But his move into wrighting symphonies just blew me away. What an honor to have picked with you Mark. I'd give my left nut to pivk one song with you on stage again. Great job son. Tony.

[@comesahorseman]

I played just enough fiddle as a kid to know how hard it is to play this well. Brilliant, & thanks!! :)

[@cellospot]

Absolutely beautiful! Started playing the violin again after not touching it for 20 years. First piece I played in front of people was Appalachia Waltz a few weeks ago. After that I got hooked on fiddle music and hope to learn even a fragment of Mark's skills. Right now I'm just trying to relearn bow control and smooth out my vibrato (as a cellist, it's actually hard to learn violin vibrato... they're very different). I've got a long way to go, but with such inspiration as hearing and seeing Mark play on these videos, I have a lot to look up to! Brilliant performance!

[@philnaccarato]

Most here have stolen my thunder and have said what is already on my mind. I've been following you and your incredible artistry and master class performances for longer than I care to admit. And I can imagine a smile on Steve Morse's face when he sees something like this on You Tube where you shine ever so brightly. Of course I saw you many times with the Dregs and most recently with your family band play at Jazz as Lincoln Center in that beautiful room overlooking Columbus Circle. Keep up the great work and hope all is well in your world.

[@CRMyrick]

My Great Grandfather Lute Thomasson and his brother wrote this song together on the back porch their house. My grandmother( Nanny) would lay in bed and listen to them work on it many nights till they got it down. Her brother Benny Thomasson my great uncle has played it numerous times making it a favorite amongst many performers. Mark, great job on it.

[@georgelewis5740]

Very interesting. Maybe update Wiki as they dont have the original song writer listed...Just says "dates back to the 1800's.."

[@ChristacheLaPistache]

Gotta love that drone! Lovely, just lovely tune and lovely playing. Oh, and the magnificent bowing.

[@AndrewCadie]

Pure inspiration. I’d almost forgotten that music could be this good!

[@mtcharts]

Times are precarious indeed. That hit the spot. I play Midnight on the Water on mandolin and it's one of my favorite tunes. And here to hear that tune by none other, one of my favorite fiddlers ever! I've been following Mark playing with David Grisman. I play your Oopic waltz on mandolin. Thank you.

[@sunnyray7819]

This song brings me away.... Thank you!!!

[@Andre82Bln]

my goosebumps gets goosebumps

[@agussusanto5397]

As always I love to hear Mark O’Connor plays his violin 👍❤️

[@forlorndream1400]

Listening to this gives me goosebumps and takes me away to a special place.

[@abhijitborah]

Mere words would be incapable in describing the beauty of this wailing fiddle. Thanks.

[@lindseybuckingham5639]

Hello Abhijit

[@VendPrekmurec]

When you have tears in your eyes and joy and peace in your heart, you simply know it is "the one" song...

[@OXHB599]

Thanks Mr. O'Connor. I wasn't going to practice today but now I'm more motivated! You're an incredible musician.

[@JustFiddler]

he is my idol

[@mattmcspadden8415]

This brings me tears. He played it beautifully

[@susanbailey337]

Legend has it that my 3rd great uncle, Daniel McCann, taught the eaglet that became "Old Abe" the Screaming Eagle of the 8th Wisconsin Civil War Regiment, to bob and weave to "Bonaparte's Retreat." Quite sure that Old Abe never heard it done like this. Mark O'Connor is one fine fiddle player, and also the violin. There is a difference to me, because fiddle makes my toes tap, and violin makes me cry. Mark can do both in 8 minutes, as witnessed in his "Heroes" album. Lifelong fan of one of Nashville's finest solo and back-up players of all time. Thank you, Mark, for the joy you have brought....

[@manvsviolin1271]

Beautiful and inspirational playing - great job! 👍

[@blumenthol]

A youtube post of some college kid funneling a beer gets millions of views - and this guy's masterpiece work here gets only 2k. We are a select group.

[@patton137]

This is an excellent, truly excellent performance. Thank you for sharing.

[@tonyschram1260]

Outstanding, truly amazing!! Thanks 👍✌️

[@bobtheslob57]

mark o' connor is probably the best fiddler out there

[@JustFiddler]

indeed

[@bryanstreettandtheblueridg9989]

Thank you Mark.

[@kleinbiker1]

I’m a 50 year old aspiring fiddle player and am literally only on my 3rd lesson. This video really moved me.

[@deja75m]

I had he pleasure of interviewing his man for ckua in...1984?..and because of his kindness to my naivete..I became an award winning maste luthier.. and....and...I learned to play....and teach...the soul of a giant...I know...

[@TheLadyluna2]

This music reminds me of my grand dad. He played the fiddle too any instrument for that matter. It also reminds me of my favorite western movie-The Long Riders.

[@sarahmarshall2744]

Mark- you’ll probably never read this; but I found you after listening to you play the fiddle solo in “Most Unoriginal Sin” for Willie Nelson. To this day-my favorite fiddle solo of all time. You are absolutely amazing.

[@dpkroon]

mark...you the MAN for sure...this is very difficult stuff...esp the bowing!!!...love it!!

[@liamogrady2277]

I’m still here in 2021 and as Christmas 🎄 is fast Approaching this tune still brings a tear too mine eyes , ☘️🎄🎁God Bless Y’all And God Bless America the Land of the Free because of the Brave

[@wandamundy1759]

Rick Wakeman's early piano teacher (Dorothy Symes - 11 years - from age 7 to 18) entered him into his first "public appearance" recital when he was about 11 yrs old - and told him, "You must always share the Music. It must always be shared." She might have been talking to our Mark, as well. To even have such a prodigious gift as these two players have - is both a blessing and a curse. But it becomes a TOTAL blessing to those of us with whom it's being shared. We are the fortunate ones, I think. I was driven by Music (to a somewhat lesser degree) for about 50 years of my Life - but NOTHING to the degree of such people as our Mark, Rick Wakeman, Lee Pomeroy, Trevor Rabin, Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Molly Tuttle, Tommy Emmanuel, Sarah Jarosz, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Carole King . . . and on and on the list goes. Almost all these people - especially Mark - have given tutorials/classes on what they do. They've mentored others, for sure. But our Mark has not only shared the Music in his performances - but he has developed a whole new way to approach learning the fiddle/violin - and started band camps to share his hard-earned knowledge and techniques in an even more personal way. He is a national living treasure - who shares his prodigious gift at every level - and he should be protected at all costs.

[@DDubya004]

Makes me remember Asheville, NC from my younger days... I miss that fresh air... When the military is done with me I can't wait to get back...

[@paulzeigler1075]

Born and raised in Asheville/Weaverville. Couldn’t wait to get out and see the world. Joined the Air Force and now I’m trying to figure out how to get back myself. Buncombe Co. property is expensive; give Madison Co. a shot...

[@gutbucket260]

@@paulzeigler1075 Mars Hill is where it's at.

[@edwards1148]

I've just burst into tears at the end

[@samguadalupe9196]

Why

[@liamogrady2277]

Music gives us feelings it’s not necessarily because it’s sad it’s just touching

[@marianacamplese9519]

This is very beautiful, so soulful!😢

[@MCJC42]

Words cannot describe the beauty in this

[@zeitschnur]

Riesig, der absolute Hammer. Danke!

[@rogerheltonmusic]

Im not bad for a bad fiddle player... But Im just sayn, Ive been listening to this man since I was 15.... There is none like Mark. He is insanely great.... But even more so in musicality. Only God could put this in a man.

[@anjieskaya]

OMG --- what else to say...speechless....I have a new favorite!!!! forever

[@jdevorah1]

Bravo! absolutely engagingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@scottconger1266]

Wow, what a great song played by a great player, thanks for sharing.

[@aarons1635]

This is truly an incredible performance…

[@christinamlaverty8430]

That is quite unique & fabulous.

[@ash5018]

Really really really amazing performance I've ever seen🔥🔥

[@wadeking8643]

Beautiful Awesome..The old way of playing Bonaparte's Retreat.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Is Mark O'Connor the coolest? Yes, he is the coolest! Don't you agree? Oh, whole heartedly, I agree he is the coolest!

[@DanielHeikalo]

Phenomenal fiddling here! Bravo!

[@davidsawyer988]

After this, there ain't no fiddle left!

[@The_Reality_Filter]

Haunting!

[@tomlettman]

Incredible performance from a true maestro.

[@AustinDeutscher]

Such a beautiful song. He can make that fiddle sing

[@colcuddy]

MESMERISING THANK YOU !!!

[@rockaopiano]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@jacobshonkwiler9081]

2024. Here we are listening to this phenomenal masterpiece

[@Targetteer1]

The most notable thing about this event....not a sound from the audiance...not one peep,not so much as sniffle,while Mark was playing.You know its special when people actually have the respect to remain quite and listen.

[@bingham54]

Perfect syncopation. SO glad this is here for posterity.

[@lindseybuckingham5639]

Hello Scott

[@micahdembo5140]

Magical. The man has it. LOVE THE IRISH.

[@skysmith6364]

Just absolutely wow !!! 🔥

[@chantal698]

Mark O'Connor vous me ravissez avec votre violon, merci!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kerryloughlin8650]

BEAUTIFUL Perfection...😊💜💜💜💜

[@jeffreyhicks4651]

Wow thats some impressive fiddling there thank you

[@LuthfiTavlah]

Wicked shit.. this guy is a bluegrass celestial .. hats up

[@cubemissy]

Beautiful!

[@Gimmer3]

Amazing. It's pure.

[@stevetaylor9520]

Rusty cooley said check this guy out in an interview he was in so here i am and dang that guy is fast.

[@dotcarrigan3079]

True artistry!

[@samguadalupe9196]

Hope to play like this one day

[@patriciahb9365]

Fabulous!

[@greekflatpicker]

What a musician

[@jacobsgranddaughter]

Maestro!❤️❤️

[@markkreuzwieser9195]

Met him. So humble, he was.

[@willypotts100]

"lord, but i love a good fiddle player"♫

[@guillremogarcia6823]

Wow I just became a fan of your sir When I was a kid my dad always wanted me to play the violin took some classes in elementary but never really got into it hearing this inspired me to pull out my old violin Thanks you

[@williamsell7593]

Damn Bro. You can really play a fiddle. Always thought about takin' some lessons. I do run a guitar purdy good. Some of us in the clan did play, but I always just did the guitar. Never heard it like this before. Killer version... When ya were in Sonoma, where'd they make ya leave the pickup? .Kinda full of themselves out there, ain't they? You lit up the crowd padna.

[@gibbonschip]

Extraordinary! As a beginning fiddler, this is so inspiring. It's like a magician who leaves me wondering: How did he do that?

[@lindseybuckingham5639]

🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@kevinl6248]

I'm 50 and just started learning. I hope to be able to play this by the time I'm 100.

[@deniskeeton6089]

so good

[@patricktaylor7375]

I love this

[@75julianne]

Wow, very beautiful ☺️

[@dave082360]

DAMN.,

[@kaylaforrester7529]

This is just PERFECT😌😃

[@debbiejohnson7913]

so intricate!

[@novocain13]

Beautifully played, Sir! Thank you for sharing.

[@12clr12]

EXCELLENT!

[@williamotoole3282]

Great , LOVE IT

[@peggycarnahan5506]

Relaxing. .. VERY NICE. ★☆★☆

[@johnpenn8444]

Still the best, forever.

[@geraldinebaker1007]

Pros like this show me how much I really don't know. ( : Excellent!!!!!!

[@gykern283]

Mark, I just started playing the violin and I can't tell you how much you and this video are inspiring me to play!!!! Is there sheet music to this and is this on iTunes? Thank you.

[@willypotts100]

'these are not tears of sorrow i shed; rather tears of joy" -wp

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

My nigga quoted himself

[@williamsearle543]

Holy F*ck! How can one not be inspired and almost rejuvenated when listening to Mark play? Wonderful !

[@feefighfoeismellahoe6438]

im gen x and this is the most beautiful fiddle i ever heard