J. S. Bach: Lute Suite in E Major

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I have never heard Bach BWV 1006a better played on guitar than this. After listening many times to this interpretation I just have to give Stephanie Jones 10 points out of 10. Her playing is tender when tender is needed and sort of rough when rough is needed. As a whole: Her Bach on guitar is an experience for my mind and body, better than anyone else can do. I enjoy her playing immensly! After starting the Prelude in a high tempo, with good precision, like a rocket out in the blue, the second movement "Loure" comes as a relief, very nuanced playing, and then the Gavotte, perhaps the best known of all the movements. Followed by the the more unknown Menuett I and II. The Bourree and the Gigue ends this performance, all movements are fabulous played by Stephanie Jones. I also like that this is the WHOLE Lute Suite, not only parts of it. Warm thanks, Stephanie!

[@ratnagunadharmachari4267]

Yes, I agree

[@staffanolofsson8201]

As I understand, this partita for solo violin also has been used in other music of Bach, for example in the sinfonia in Cantata BWV 29. Bach was surely a genious in also using all his best ideas in

[@maj-lenaskagerlund3118]

Stephanie Jones is one of a kind. Outstanding!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@maj-lenaskagerlund3118 Thank you. Reading your words about her hands beeing too small for classic guitar, I just thank God for Stephanies ambition to still go further in studying classic guitar. The result is splendid.

[@dylanharnettmarshall9700]

I agree her playing is very good, but there are many great interpretations on guitar. Ana Vidovic, Eliot Fisk, Christopher Parkening, to name a few.

[@Fai2012]

Quiet, steady, stable heart with a touch of boldness and strength. This is why Stephanie's Bach is the best and I keep coming back for it :)

[@keithroy9217]

The tempo and control of dynamics make this the best version of this piece I’ve heard. Beautiful!

[@Wizardofgosz]

The more I watch the more I know that Stephanie is one of the best in the world. This performance is SPECIAL, as is Stephanie.

[@Biensche-3566]

It is absolutely impossible to lose hope and faith in the good in people when you hear such wonderful, fantastically performed music. Stephanie translates Bach's timeless message of a peaceful world in a way that everyone can understand, hear, see and feel ✨

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I agree, this peaceful world still exists, despite all wars. If you doubt it, just listen to Stephanie playing Bach. In our minds and in our hope this better world still exists.

[@philipb2134]

​@@staffanolofsson8201nice sentiment, but contradicted by Guernica.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@philipb2134 No contradiction at all! Wonderful music and hope for the future can exist at the same time as Picassos Guernica.

[@philipb2134]

@@staffanolofsson8201 I would like to agree with you. Loss of hope, is loss of self; loss of self-determination; loss of self is what Nazi ideology sought to impose, for whatever great of State. Please let is not fall there.

[@philipb2134]

@@staffanolofsson8201 Guernica was a warning. Putin further invaded Ukraine in 2022 because fluffy sentiment seemed to let him do it without consequences. Si vis pacem, para bellum.

[@Milage100]

This is not only worldclass playing, but ever so tasteful and touching I could rejoice and cry at the same time. ❤

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Same, same ❤

[@loiseaunoir1021]

She has excellent dynamics, to say the least!

[@royplayer]

And let's give a shout out to the wonderful genius who wrote these fantastic melodies for us to enjoy.

[@christofthedead]

Bach is such an underappreciated underground musician, when will he get the recognition he deserves

[@gilbertobrandina9487]

@@christofthedead You kid but from his death in 1750 to almost mid 1820s Bach's music was not played except for counterpoint exercises. In 1829 Mendelssohn organized the performance of St Matthew Passion, virtually unknown outside Leipzig, rekindling the attention for Bach's works. So, yes, Bach is still due proper recognition.

[@loiseaunoir1021]

Lots of tritones in Bach's that makes him the inventor of heavy metal! lolllll

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@christofthedead Ha ha, and lol

[@gilbertobrandina9487]

@@Charles-Grady thank you, captain obvious.

[@jesussanz101]

You have filled all my home with the spirit of Bach. Thank you for sharing with us the result of your hugh work, talent and dedication.

[@diydad7704]

I'd pay to listen to her in a live concert. Instead i get to enjoy her playing for free! Sometimes YT is a wonderful place. Thanks so much, Stephanie!

[@colb999]

I would too, even travel to Brisbane or Sydney to see her if she comes back here.

[@robbabcock_]

I was fortunate enough to hear her play live in a small venue here! Absolutely wonderful, she's an amazing player.

[@thomastepfer9861]

Absolutely

[@Flashfox_Prime]

We did ... when she performed in Escondido, California a couple of years ago. We reeally enjoyed it :-)

[@staffanolofsson8201]

For me You Tube is enough. I dont want to travel around the world and bye tickets.

[@MichaSloman]

This really wowed me. I sincerely believe this is the best performance I have ever heard of Bach's Lute Suite in E Major. Stephanie, you are on a path to rapidly becoming one of the all-time great classical guitarists.

[@richardswinehart9507]

Wonderful! So many performers rush the central part and create a muddle. Her performance flows throughout and never sacrifices musicality to technique. I look forward to more of her playing.

[@klchu]

Imagine my joy when the first movement ended and I realized there was still 15 minutes more! Your music is always wonderful and the video production quality is top notch!

[@lotusleiturapoetica2402]

Olá Stephanie, que brilhante suíte para cordas no seu instrumento mágico em suas abençoadas mãos mulher, você tange essas cordas com alma de uma poetisa musical.🤗💙🙏💫✨🏆✨👏👏👏👏👏

[@gitaarlesvanhans]

This is the best performance of this Bach suite I heard until now. Stephanie, even John Williams did not so well. You must be a goddess . I can hear you also did a lot of historical research. Knowledge and lots of work combined with joy. Thank you

[@NickHoad]

I keep forgetting there are two well known John Williamses in the world of music and every time the guitarist is mentioned I have to pause for a moment to work out what’s going on

[@micheal49]

Thank heavens we do not have to choose between Stephanie and and Ana Vidovic and get to listen to both of them. What a wonderful time to be alive!

[@njlauren]

The beauty of this kind of music is each performer brings new magic to the piece.

[@richard4666]

Sorry a small note of decention because you can play the prelude at high speed does that mean you should.

[@njlauren]

@@richard4666 Tempos ,rubato, are all part of playing a piece your own way. Given the nature of baroque music it is within bounds to play it faster or slower. It was true in Bach's time and it should be true today.

[@latheofheaven1017]

There's a slightly smug smile crosses your face at the end of the Prelude. Nothing is more deserved. In fact it should have been a huge grin, and if Johann Sebastian could have heard it, he'd be grinning from ear to ear too!

[@harryway7942]

❤

[@jespersgard3487]

This is Bach masterclass by an extremely talented musician! I learned to play the classical guitar 40 years ago when Julian Bream and John Williams were at the peak of their careers. One can only say that Stephanie Jones is the future top player of the instrument. Truly gifted and an absolute joy to listen to. And by the way what a lovely instrument Paul Sheridan has built for a top guitarist to play!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Thank you for the information about her wonderful guitar!

[@pascalsolal]

Definitely the best artist on a classical guitar today. The most musical, the most sensitive playing, very feminine, without any ego in it.

[@krasimiradowney5935]

I agree with that summary!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I agree, but I dont know what a feminine playing means…

[@pascalsolal]

@@staffanolofsson8201 More softness, less "demonstration". She abandons herself in music, as a woman abandons herself in love.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@pascalsolal I accept your explanation....may we all be a little more like women....

[@Longtack55]

​@@pascalsolalSo men show their "feminine side" when they demonstrate deft delicacy? That is archaic tripe.

[@fitzpicks]

IMHO - the dynamics of this performance reflect a partnership with Bach to deliver the Suite for maximum inspirational effect. Bach and Jones make a great team.

[@MarcSt-Jean]

Her mastery of dynamics, rubato, staccato and all the other nuances of performance at this tempo is truly remarkable.

[@KainzMusic]

I honestly can't say which was the greater part; your performance of the piece itself or your flowing into the music and having such a relaxed and joyful sense about you. Masterfully and beautifully performed!

[@alanbauch2815]

I love the looks she gives to her guitar, the expressions add a kind of human element, it's the genuine self she brings to this very (mostly) serious music

[@staffanolofsson8201]

The look she gives her guitar is the look of love.

[@Krj1332]

Bach + Stephanie. Such a gift! Remarkable, enchanting performance.

[@IanFrancisco-CAPianoman]

Excellent performance! I'm interested in the device behind the guitar. It seems to project some of the sound from the back of the guitar and doubles as a support so a footrest isn't needed.

[@annamckinney6622]

Spectacular, as always. Thank you for sharing with us, Stephanie.

[@alexandervandengoorbergh1104]

Was this recorded sped up or something! This is awesome! I also play this suite myself, but have never heard it performed like this before. Perfect fingering, tempo, etc… I'm learning from you Jones! I cherish your game, technique. I'm going to follow you.❤️🎶👍 Alexander.

[@tomsmith58]

I love the ornamentation. I think I’ll copy your style

[@limitstoprogress]

THANK YOU Stephanie beautiful performance - this goes right to the top of "Favorites"! Music played without emotional content is just notes - this playing has notes but they are the carriers of immense emotional content. You really have to know the instrument; you have to live the instrument to get to this level of accomplishment. Bravissima! (from Canada)

[@maj-lenaskagerlund3118]

Do you know that this god gifted guitarist was dissuaded from playing the guitar because she had "too small hands"? Thank God she didn't listen!!!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Häpnadsväckande! Tur att hon fortsatte spela❤

[@josesaldivar655]

When all the neural networks, and muscle, are trained, Playing as you do, it seems a very easy task. I could be jealous of your ability, but I am not. It takes passion, discipline, and love to train and learn so that one can play as beautifully, as you. Many thanks for your talent. Cheers Stephanie. God Bless You.

[@jasonstripinis8834]

Brava, brava, brava! Your fingerings in the Prelude are nearly identical with the ones I (with guidance from Maestro Jerome Mouffe) worked out from the Gesellschaft, but you execute them as I've only dreamed of doing! The ornamentations in the Loure, too--so gorgeous and yet honoring the unique majesty and delicacy of the piece. These are the only two of the six movements I still do--anyone who can keep this whole suite "under the fingers" is Maestra, indeed!

[@papaowl13803]

This is a beautiful piece of art. Stephanie you have grown over time. Listening to this , Beautiful, with fingers gracing ever so effortlessly over the strings. Thank you.

[@colb999]

Wonderful. Watching you play Stephanie gives me a little extra joy as watching your face as you perform reminds me of watching my late wife, a classical pianist, especially if she didn't know I was. As I commented below, please come back to Aus soon so I can please see you live. I check your site regularly.

[@idontknowwhatahandleisohwell]

If i had words to describe how beautiful this is i wouldn't have to call it magic.

[@TheWindGinProject]

A true master of music. Bravo! Stephanie Jones

[@iclassici]

Grazie! Grazie di vero cuore! Che artista meravigliosa! Un dono di Dio! Precisione tecnica, ma ricca di passione e interpretazione senza scadere nel freddo tecnicismo, suono meraviglioso! In tempi come i nostri in cui spesso, nelle Chiese, la Chitarra viene "violentata" da musicanti che la strapazzano a mo' di pop da Chiesa ascoltare la magnificenza di Bach in questo modo ci fa comprendere di cosa è capace la Chitarra classica e cosa potrebbe fare anche nella Liturgia insieme all'Organo... solo se si imvestisse su musicisti veramente preparati. Grazie di vero cuore per questo Paradiso❤

[@くーさん-s2w]

ライブで聴きたいです。是非日本に来て下さい。

[@heikek.5321]

Wonderfull❤You found the bridge between 100% exact interpretation and personell, emotional accents. And it looks like dancing, light and easy. Thank you.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

This is a superlative performance, and a master-level demonstration of video capture! How many takes did Stephanie take of the master audio, and how many repetitions did she make of the most sublime moments to create the B-roll footage? I hope that John Williams gets to experience this performance!

[@raulgil8459]

Totally amazing playing!!!!

[@johngoodall7097]

Stephanie wonderful as always I don’t think there can be many guitarists that could be close to your talent ❤️❤️❤️🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Stellar sound so full of brightness and heart which stirs countless emotions in just an ideal fashion, many many cheers!

[@TalentedDilittante]

Oh, if Js Bach could hear this . . . a new standard in performance . . . and soooo beautiful!

[@alexandervandengoorbergh1104]

Stephanie i have a question. In what metro tempo did you start building up the Prelude 4 e suite. It’s a 3/4, so around…? Can you give an introduction online, like Werner Bradford? It should be awsome! And may i ask, what is your arrangement? Thank you for your beautiful performance Stephanie.❤️🎶

[@spencerdieck1665]

Outstanding…cleanliness, quality of tone, all of it.

[@MrBiggordy]

One of those occasions where you wish you can credit the yt video more that one like - superb!

[@blue47er]

Richard Rogers once composed a tune that asked: "Have you met Miss Jones?". Today I can honestly reply to say, "Yes, and what a great delight it has been!"

[@MehdiSaman-ys3ut]

I LOVE ❤❤ stafani.. you pelay guitar very very naice and your very biutifull 🎉🎉 I love yue Thank yue...

[@BlackBird-gj4sx]

That's a well-trained musician. Pleasure to listen! Can you do 997? The level of your technique and interpretation is stunning ❤❤❤.

[@jesussanz101]

Is possible that you don't know quite well to J.S.Bach but, I garantee you that you have heard this prelude before but you don't notice the beauty inside it. Enjoy it.

[@thierry8930]

What a joy to hear this magical interpretation from this masterpiece!❤ Thanks and greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪

[@cliffordzinnes4015]

Hi Stephanie, I am just curious as to what your source is for the trill/figuration in the 3rd movement? It's unlike anything I've heard in the rest of Bach's opus. Is the interpretation yours or an idiosyncracy of the Lute Suites?

[@ArmandoObladenFilho]

Great performance, congratulations! Could you tell wich tablet do you use?

[@whyteian]

Outstanding performance Stephanie!

[@DanielEscotoGuitar]

Basically this is a perfect performance, so its incredible the gavotte. Aun no puedo creer lo hermoso de esta gran interpretación de la maestra Jones! La articulación me parece fantástica y su discurso y tempos son perfectos!

[@erict1917]

An elegant, impassioned passage through the heavenly magic of her art.

[@olenrskov]

So many guitarists ruin Bach by using too much rubato and tonal color. This is music that absolutely needs to be played precisely. And this performance gets the balance perfectly right. Adding just a few tasteful colorings. Even though Bach predates the modern guitar he is head and shoulders the best guitar composer - and when his music is played like this it's just wonderful.

[@jphong2673]

우와 스테파니 존스 새 동영상이다...스테파니만의 특유의 감성으로 바하곡을 소화하셨네요. 너무 잘 듣고 갑니다. 감사합니다.

[@likunguitar]

Beautiful interpretation! I'm deeply touched.

[@kirk290]

Hello Ms. Jones, glad to see that you have edited these videos into one film. I love your performances of these.

[@philvalade2437]

WoW, Nice 👍🏻 Would love to hear you play Jesu, joy of man’s desiring next!! 🙏

[@grehuy]

We lost all fear of dying since we know: We will return. But some sad thought is, there would be nobody playing any more like this.

[@peterbusch6351]

Das ist wirklich eine unglaubliche gute Interpretation!! Unglaublich gut!!🙏❤️

[@franknguitars7671]

Stephanie is in a league of her own ... incredible!

[@TinMan-i9l]

Brian Jones reborn and making it as a classical guitarist sorry just being silly for a moment , a beautiful young lady as well playing with such passion , a masterful performance. i wonder who taught her to play so elegantly. Natural talent by the way I just meant to say, the teacher helps hone those skills she always had.

[@johnspezzano397]

I love everything I've seen / heard Stephanie play. When I see her I think she must somehow be related to Nigel Kennedy. HA!

[@raffitorossian6994]

It was an excellent performance of Bach with excellent technic and nuance. I loved it so much. Thanks for uploading.

[@jorgeeduardobenitez7456]

Me asombra la perfecta ejecución. Escucharte es como escuchar un canto celestial. Bravo muchacha

[@arminhanik7229]

Johann Sebastian would have loved to watch and hear you play. (this is the highest praise you can give someone playing Bach)

[@jamesmcgowanesq.1434]

Very much like Christopher Parkening. Precise but emotional.

[@dtneko954]

フレーズのつなぎ方、歌わせ方、本当に素晴らしい‼️❤😂

[@gregjetnikoff7124]

I am guessing that even J.S. didn't know how this should be played. Even inside his head...

[@WilliamValenti]

Sublime music. A very talented young woman.

[@ludgerniemann61]

Det är underbart som Stephanie spelar! Tack så hemskt mycket!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Hon spelar gudomligt bra!

[@1cleandude]

Yes she’s great so I’ll ask! What’s the big silver thing between her and guitar? There!🙏🙏🙏

[@nelsonlugo45]

Hail the GOAT ❤️

[@JuanCarlosBartolotta]

Stephanie es maravillosa ,las notas se escuchan nítidas y como maneja los volúmenes . Gracias !!!!!! Soy de argentina...

[@BobC-u1i]

Such beauty and force. This performance secures the classical guitar and Bach above the violin and piano versions. I have always thought Bach wrote for the classical guitar he just did not know it because the instrument was yet to be invented. My question is who transcribed the familiar BWV1006a sheets we play on the guitar? The sheets likely all go back to someone who provided the music most often played when performing this piece. I have heard other slightly different interpretations but these pale compared to this one, and this young lady's style sits at the top of my favorites. Obviously, I am not a fan of importing too much staccato that many mistakenly put into their performances of this sublime composition.

[@BobC-u1i]

Having written the above, I want to add some context to my opinion. I was thrilled with David Russell's performance of this suite and am still in awe of his precision. Stephanie Jones does something entirely different with her musical flow and interpretation. I can applaud Russell and do, but Ms. Jones pulls me into the movements very deftly so her contrasting excellence speaks to me with a more engaging allure. Russell is excellent, Ms. Jones is magnetic.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I have listened to Russell and I prefer Jones with her more ”elastic” playing. Her ritardandos are pure magic!

[@BobC-u1i]

@@staffanolofsson8201 Indeed!!! Stephanie has that magical touch to interpret the emotion and thrill of the Prelude (and the whole Suite) immediately into one's musical soul. She flows the music in a natural way like a stream that flows according to the terrain. It is difficult to explain the difference between a technically perfect (or near so) performance and one with impact that stays with you. Why else would I listen to her play this just about every week, at least once, and often even more. She is different for many reasons.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Thank you! I can only agree in your words about her playing.

[@paulysguitarjournal]

You and Drew Henderson put out the same video within a couple of days of each other. 😅

[@TalentedDilittante]

Soooo beautiful! You play the way Bach's music was meant to be heard. THANK YOU.

[@aldemarhernadezg]

I was hypnotised by your beautiful face and more with your interpretation

[@kendee4421]

Stephanie plays with feeling and emotion because she loves the music she plays. Too many players just play to show how clever they are but they can never sound like this, even though they hit the right notes.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I have to say I believe all musicians play there music with love, not just to show how clever they are. But I agree, Stephanie is playing this from her heart!

[@peterpim3519]

Wonderful play. Thank you for giving me this time of contemplation. Greetings from Germany!

[@breadfan262]

Love the attack and emotion in the prelude. Wonderful interpretation.

[@baronvonbeagle9787]

I play a horn and know nothing about strings but it's fire background music for doing homework 👍

[@mencken8]

Someone said: “Hope is a good thing, perhaps the best of things.” Looking at the world at its most deplorable is here offset by the little black dots written by a german Kappelmeister dead nearly 275 years and rendered into beauty by Ms. Jones. Hope exists.

[@juancarloslabbe521]

MARAVILLOSA MAESTRIA....Y BELLEZA...♥️🔥✴😊👨‍🍳🤗🤩

[@maj-lenaskagerlund3118]

Tack!

[@benkim2016]

Bach didn’t have the Internet or any of our modern amenities but he had a very full intellectual life!

[@detharp]

wonder she sleeps well on the right❤❤❤❤❤since her musicaly hearing❤❤❤

[@JDERIEL]

Iconic perfornance. Of all the many times I have heard this piece, this is the one that sounds right. Stephanie is channeling J.S. I can feel his ghost flowing through her fingers onto the strings.

[@BobC-u1i]

She does, indeed, play this masterpiece with the skill and sensitivity that is the most captivating of all performances I have heard. I wish she did not expand her horizon so widely as some of the more recent pieces she plays because I want to hear all my Baroque/Classical favorite composers interpreted by Ms. Jones. I don't feel this way about almost all of the more modern composers, but she plays all periods and almost all styles. My glass is sadly only half full of what I wish to hear.

[@kentlarue3299]

extraordinary, truly. So good I don't care that it's not a lute!

[@grehuy]

Segovia ist listening to you .. and he smiles .. and he wishes to play again .. and he enjoys the idea that he has helped the guitar to its fame.

[@bruceboome]

It's refreshing to hear Stephanie playing something from the standard repertoire, as she (as a young artist should) concentrates on highlighting modern composers. After Segovia, Bream, Williams and Russell have done their thing there's not a whole lot left to say, but Stefanie manages with aplomb. Watching her eye movements, I thought 'She's actually reading this", only to have that confirmed later in the video. Given that the first item is several pages long, I wonder how she turned the pages, Maybe she had a page turner off camera. All in all a stunning performance. I think she is the future of classical guitar.

[@nerdnam]

Looks like she's got an iPad or something there. I agree she is the best in classical guitar that I know of.

[@Vesper.-zh6sj]

Love the music ..the Player ..and the pixie hairstyle ..Beautiful..❤️❤️❤️

[@Vesper.-zh6sj]

@Stephanie_Jones0 l wish ..

[@francisfulache9326]

What a joyous discovery! Stephanie is a fantastic addition to female classical guitarists whose immense musicality and techniques are incomparable. Bravo!!!

[@MrForrward]

Какая легкая, летящая музыка! Большое спасибо за удовольствие слушать вас

[@shaunsprogress]

What is holding the guitar up? My back aches watching this.

[@michelrombaut]

a flawless technique, an ability to be particularly sensitive to musical structures and outstanding musicality. I just love this guitarist... ❤

[@MinWu-e1f]

..Так Девочка, Гитару обнимая.., Темнеющее Око..,

[@StevenRosenberg]

I can hear the dynamics in this recording -- Bach "breathes" with the dynamic shifts, and you do it very well.

[@pascalbrebion8520]

Thank you for this wonderful music😊❤