Hilary Hahn - Adagio from Sonata No. 1 for Solo Violin by J.S. Bach

Coming out of obscurity just to share this unbelievably tear-jerking performance.
Hilary Hahn performs Adagio from Sonata No. 1 for Solo Violin by J.S. Bach.
Enjoy!

[@klausschumacher8673]

I was in that concert in Frankfurt and heard those unbelievably concentrated and dense three Bach movements after the Prokofieff violin concerto. People forgot to breathe, I guess. We were all in another world for those encores.

[@JulianKeniryGreen]

So fortunate.

[@Dadaxxv]

I was there too. It was breathtaking!

[@irenalevin647]

מתה עליה

[@kennielsen8554]

I need to practise after that

[@altongrimes]

😊wow

[@markd3250]

When she plays the violin becomes part of her. Her bow control is incredible. Even when she's playing loud notes, there's never a harsh sound. You can hear her personality in her playing, the softness and gentleness at work as she plays. She speaks the same way, with the same inner quality. She's expressing sound with the instrument rather than just playing it. It's very difficult to describe actually. It's just simply, breathtakingly beautiful.

[@lunagrace8717]

She's amazing, some play an instrument and perform, and a few intimately talk to you when they do it

[@jazzizm]

I'm a simple man. I hear Ms. Hahn play this, I weep.

[@tabbywarrior]

Me as well

[@DeepPurple-gr6wj]

You probably have very low testosterone levels. Get it checked before you turn even more gay.

[@hogopogo7616]

I'm not simple, but when I hear this I weep as well.

[@LZKS]

I feel like she is at a level of understanding Bach that far surpasses most others musicians.

[@peteroh9319]

Thanks to KZbin, past, present and many promising future superstar violinists are accessible for us to enjoy. Among them, I enjoy Hahn the most for Bach. In the first videos I enjoyed her virtuosity, she was but a precocious kid with extraordinary talent. Now the greys are starting to fill in and she seems to me have attained the level of mastery that only a select few of the very best will attain. Hahn also seems more graceful and elegant than ever. We’re all so lucky to be her contemporaries. I hope to one day see her live performing Bach.

[@ionvasile12]

Try Andras Schiff!

[@classifiesconfidential4330]

She is at a level that surpasses most other musicians.

[@interrestrial9815]

That was achingly beautiful. Bravo! I think if J.S. Bach were alive to hear this performance he would cried.

[@sansangaga8560]

Such clarity and purity of sound. Listening to her playing, time and space don’t exist anymore. We stay as if hung still in between two spaces. Her playing is such a grace to Bach music. Thank you

[@jimtomasko3838]

This composition by JS Bach and a musician like Hillary Hahn really highlight what the greatest achievements of the human race are. Absolutely stunning, time and space stopped during this triumph of emotion. Also love the gray hair that Hillary is rocking.

[@onenten77]

She is a goddess to the violin. Two things stand out to me in this performance, the fact that her violin's sound filled that concert hall for such an intimate piece, and I loved loved loved her finger vibrato, which seemed to make the notes quaver in the legato phrases, which added this haunting quality I had not heard before.

[@arvopart3783]

Her playing is unbelievable. How can play with such perfection? The color of sound, technology, style of sound execution on string, every note is played with such perfection... If I can be vulgarly shameless until other interpreters, Bach would be satisfied only with her from all others. And equal applies to her interpretation of Bach's Chaconne. Astonishingly unbelievable. For me is the best violinist of all time. Thank you, Hilary.

[@JoePalau]

I have listen to these sonatas and partitas since the late 50s, to Hilary for as long as she’s been recording. Even so, I couldn’t breathe, my throat closed and I welled up with tears I was so taken by Hilary’s performance of this adagio. Sublime, transcendent beauty, deep passionate playing are but starters. There are no substitutes for listening to this clip again. Like a exquisite wine, I sip, savor and save it for only the finest occasions. Not to waste it. Savor it. Magnificent ❤

[@arkamukhopadhyay9111]

It is indeed! I was pleasantly surprised. She used to be cold and robotic. But now she has achieved a great human depth. Almost reaching Milstein or Menuhin levels.

[@forlifewelearn]

It's just the way she eases out that octave D at 1:44 to finish the section and you can feel the orchestra exhale with her as she goes into the next section - the violin leader's face says it all. It's sublime playing. I could listen to this all day..

[@davidjoseph3403]

I knuh. Powerful, coordinated, enthusing. Freakin' Slayer. ❤

[@drtmuir]

I've always been in awe of her trills-- so powerful. 🔥 And the diminuendos, like on the very last note! She is extraordinary.

[@davidlevan6906]

This is probably the most exquisite piece of solo violin I've ever heard. Totally captivating and involving. Even the orchestra members seemed to be mesmerised. So lucky to be able to experience this. Hilary Hahn is a gift from the Gods.

[@aufbrechen]

Never in the history of this instrument has a violin been played more beautifully and profoundly than - here!- Bach: Smiling....

[@elizabethgeoghegan5167]

A violin has rarely been played with this much adoration.

[@BO-kh1iz]

Really? And you know this because you have heard and compared all virtuosos in the history of the violin playing AND you can see J.S. Bach smiling? How is the old man doing these days?

[@aufbrechen]

@@BO-kh1iz He is not an old man now ! And yes, remember we live a lot of lifes in divese times.

[@Xingqiwu387]

Perfection! This is THE BEST rendition of this incredible piece I have ever heard. Simply superb! BRAVA, Hilary Hahn, and thank you for giving the world this stunningly beautiful interpretation.

[@unchistejaja]

Exquisite playing. I love watching the grey dance around her face, reminding me of how long I’ve admired her.

[@mahlonrhoades4509]

She's become so much more expressive both in her playing and her facial expressions. As a younger woman she almost never showed anything on her face except every once in a while a slight lift of her left eyebrow while perfectly navigating a mindbogglingly difficult passage. (I love watching that) The frown of concentration and even grimace almost of agony (4:11) is telling, I think, of an even deeper connection to the music. Listening to her earlier recordings I would think, "how could this possibly be played better". Question answered.

[@randomoneforstuff3696]

@@mahlonrhoades4509 There are plenty of great recordings of this Adagio from the Netherlands Bach Society, Rachel Barton Pine, Rachel Podger, just to name a few. Here are some links if you need them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4OuqmahjZ2Li68 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hniTeKCmoJljfrM kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmPIZJilhL2YhNU

[@paulchampion2183]

I remember first being taught this piece with the instructor Emily Austin describing how important the value of the 16th note was to be kept as evenly as possible to keep the beat as honest as possible; with that in mind the interpretation of the piece would be close to honoring the composer. To hear Hillary Hahn so masterfully play this is breath taking! Thank you Hillary!

[@HG23456]

How impressive to see that not only the audience but also her fellow orchestra members are completely intrigued by her playing or even hypnotised 😅😊

[@peterburandt4586]

Right, all the violinists are thinking: "Just how long is her bow exactly?"

[@marcel7748]

Exactly. She dominated the whole hall completely. It's a marvelous moment.

[@jh1812]

Everything Hillary plays becomes a masterpiece! Her playing is simply sublime! I look forward to the day when she returns to Toronto for a performance. The only time I’ve seen her performance was several years ago. I had a brief chat with her while she was signing my program for that night. I told her I had just taken up learning violin as an adult and she was truly an inspiration to all musicians. She encouraged me to keep playing and not to get fixated on the bad days. I took that to heart and I’m playing again five years after a major shoulder injury. She is truly a once in a generation caliber of musician. 😀

[@kengyu0830]

When I occasionally heard of this playing, I feel that I am touched. I heard Hilary since 20 years ago, and today I think I met her again in music.

[@kieselsteinchen9795]

The beauty of her play drove tears to my eyes.

[@JohnTravena]

She looks lovely. I was first aware of her when she was only a teenager and now she has grey hair - that makes me feel old! She always had a natural affinity for Bach but her playing is even better now I think.

[@mahlonrhoades4509]

Reading the comments, I have nothing to add. I didn't think she could get better but this performance was quite literally stunning. I had tears running down my face from the first notes. The emotional depth of her playing is now beyond anything I've heard in the 60 or so years I've been listening to music.

[@caroleem1319]

Not hundreds, but thousands of hrs of practice made this flawless performance happen!!!❤

[@estranged12]

She played it perfect but she was putting her front row (highest paying audience) to sleep. Few of them was about to walk out near the end. At end end it's about playing to your audience as a musician.

[@mahlonrhoades4509]

Anyone who could fall asleep or walk out during a performance like that has ZERO appreciation of music. They should spend their money on an Andre Rieu concert. @@estranged12

[@fautdemieux]

@@estranged12 What do you mean by this? Why would this performance put anyone, much less someone observing it from the front row, to sleep?

[@wippok42]

​​@@estranged12these are people who payed the most to see the classical music, there's no way they were bored

[@tfh5575]

she is one of the best to ever do it, and my personal favourite.

[@rawnin8821]

After all, Johann Sebastian Bach and Hilary Hahn together, might be the single reason that mankind should survive.

[@arvopart3783]

And Johann Sebastian Bach is at all sole reason, that humankind at all exists, it lives.

[@carolnoelle2468]

I’m so grateful I was able to witness this masterpiece in person✨

[@AlamoCityCello]

Hilary is like a fine bottle of wine. She keeps getting better with age. Bravo!

[@donsurlylyte]

such is the way with great artists

[@randomoneforstuff3696]

Indeed! I much prefer this interpretation to her old one (when she was quite young).

[@izuminishi6376]

I agree.

[@carloshumphrey1]

It not about aging is bottle of wone - if you do not know some wine get bad as they age -it is about the virtude you have in your inner soul, and the way you think and handle your instrument. Excuse me but your statement is a very naïve comment - but this site is about expressing freely, so I'll respect that . Can you tell me how old was Jacqueline du Pre when she was already playing under Barenboim? She must had been not older that 30 and already was better than him. Hillary doesn't get better with age, she is the top violinist today

[@gongzhengchuan2609]

@@carloshumphrey1 even if you're the best, you can still improve, what exactly are you getting at?

[@wiltonpt1]

I am transfixed.....wow. I have always had a great curiosity to know all the bowings, position changes, and fingering used by HH on this. It is so impressive to watch the mastery she has over the violin and the seamless interpretations of these suites and partitas that's unique absolutely a soulful expression of Bach's voice through the solo violin. He couldn't play them like that. But He knew someone, someday would.

[@JoePalau]

The old man pretty good on the fiddle. He knew a thing or two.

[@wiltonpt1]

@@JoePalau she

[@ferranaymerichribas1045]

​@@wiltonpt1 ?

[@wiltonpt1]

I think she knows quite a bit more than the old man

[@commontater8630]

@@wiltonpt1 Hilary Hahn is wonderful, but that she knew more than Bach? Hah!

[@leahhe3528]

Every note is singing. So pure and clean.

[@Eli-yu1tv]

The b flat at 4:10 is the best singular note I have ever heard in a piece of music

[@AndySaenz]

I’ve always thought she’s beautiful, and she plays violin like a queen. Love you, Hilary Hahn. 😍❤️🌹🌹🌹🌹🎼🎻🎵🎶

[@cosmlayla]

This really hits all the right notes especially listening to it in this time in history - October 2023. So much yearning and longing and uncertainty.

[@franklarge1663]

Wow... what at amazing rendition. The tone, the expressiveness, the musicality, the just intonation, the polyphonies... humanity at its best. Thank you so much.

[@elizabethgeoghegan5167]

Ever feel like you are witnessing history?

[@francescodefendi3201]

😂 come on! Why can’t we just be…real? 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ ..of course.. HH is amazing…but… history??!?

[@morozowvlad6363]

We witnessing eternity, sry I’m drunk

[@guilhermeb.freling4380]

@@francescodefendi3201 but history is real tho

[@francescodefendi3201]

@@guilhermeb.freling4380 Rostropovich playing his cello in front of the wall in Berlin in 1989 is history… I think it’s a very simple argument…

[@beau1207]

@@francescodefendi3201 this is history, stop being a hater.

[@ringonoka]

This is awesome. I like her playing Bach. And I think this is one beautiful interpretation. Bach's music is profound.

[@alexnewson6013]

Came across these awe-inspiring works 40 years ago. The music still transfixes; how lovely is her playing

[@user-hl3pc5ts6m]

Long tone,double stop and grace note just in time are so beautiful and clear.I would feel as if I listen to some valuable and important story through your waving graceful articulation, especially in the sequence of 32 notes! I hear that's "Agony?" splendid,splendid,splendid. occasionally I would love to listen to Heifetz Adagio.his long note which is concerned with 32 　note articulation is so grace and beautiful. (90yrs.Japanese)sorry strange English.

[@devakikaren]

I understand though.

[@hgshehan]

Sir Colin Davis said it in his interview piece in Hilary's 4 part documentary, "she is as gifted as anyone". For me she is the greatest violinist that has ever lived!!!

[@jcloewe8692]

Hilary Hahn...such an exceptional artist. The art of the bow, I wish I could still play. I'm grateful to her.

[@rubenmatos9806]

That brought tears to my eyes and I cant explain it

[@FullTimePatient37]

Nobody will play Bach like Hilary Han ❤

[@vitocortesi9389]

Sembra di stare in Paradiso musica sublime e che meraviglia Hilary Hahn!

[@albertmachaj7540]

I So Love Hilary Hahn's playing!

[@kingnothing4898]

How lucky are we? J.S. Bach, played by Hann. This one could break the fabric of space-time...

[@jmbechtel]

One word: TIMELESS

[@velvetsound]

Magical as always.

[@Love-Is-Kind]

Always a soul stirring, mind blowing, awe inspiring, and breath taking performance by Queen Hilary Hahn! Brilliant! Tysm for sharing. 🥰

[@ReflechissonsUnPeu]

Probablement la perfection humaine de la sensibilité musicale, vive la musique comme ça !

[@antonioromera8880]

Absolutely wonderful. A gem in its own. Thanks for sharing!

[@randyfrederick1060]

Best thing I have ever seen on my TV screen

[@euclidallglorytotheloglady5500]

You know those special moments that are so powerful and so beautiful you get that lump in your chest that feels like it's going to explode with emotion... Emotion that is impossible to translate...

[@1967davidsrebrnik]

Those Bach violin concerti are soooo great. I wish to have it played for my funeral (especially the chacone)

[@Fidi987]

Sonatas... the chaconne is from Partita 2. The concertos by Bach are more lively/ cheerful than most of his sonatas/ partitas.

[@vincehammond4081]

Always amazing! She just keeps getting better!

[@paulzotos1628]

I saw her do her Bach program at Lincoln Center just last week. Moving and flawless!

[@cmw9876]

I am overcome with jealousy! May your partner eat crumbly, itchy biscuits in bed! 🤣

[@paulzotos1628]

@@cmw9876 LOL!🤣🤣

[@manuelprz344]

What we are witnessing is the brilliance of a man and his soul traverse time and allowing us to share the passion that he had for music with humanity.Yes we are the fortunate ones...hoping that we understand to some degree what important role music plays in our lives...cherish his music and learn from it.I believe that's what he wanted...don't you agree....

[@devakikaren]

What a remarkable post.

[@kelleyforeman]

Every time she plays it differently, yet it’s still always just right.

[@fluteastana8707]

Безупречное владение своим инструментом и понимание этого величайшего произведения! Восторг, мурашки по коже, скрипка звучит как нечто неземное, приближенное к богу… огромное спасибо миссис Хилари за бесподобную атмосферу единения человека и бога!🙏🙏🙏

[@jaycayuca9866]

Greatest violinist ever❤️

[@DobroSC2]

This is so amazing. Very emotional for me. Hilary Hahn is one of the best!

[@Reismiilch]

i can‘t wait to see and hear her live in Berlin!!!! I am so excited!!

[@5566693]

Best interpretation for one of the best works from Bach

[@karelwolfs5715]

Thanks to Bach for the beautiful notes brilliantly played.

[@chindy28]

Que maravilla!! Su sonido es increíble y musicalidad! Gracias

[@lauraleggett5509]

I feel like I’m watching and listening as a magician weaves a magical spell🎉 pure awe

[@truenature]

The best in the world, probably the best ever or at least top 5. Top 1 when it comes to Bach.

[@flutepilot]

No matter how high she gets, her tone is rich and dark all the way up. Nobody like her!

[@JuanMartinexplacerez-mw3we]

Excelente interpretación , ejecuta con un sonido puro , con una pureza y claridad en cada frase .

[@timewithdada-music2717]

It is very hard to find words. It is just fantastic, magic. If there is anything that could be more than perfect it is Hilary Hahn's violin performance. Striking, charming, bezaubernd

[@jameshood1928]

Superb. Flawless. She is the best!

[@lmcognitio2049]

Thanks, Hilary for always interpreting the greatest of all masters. That was glorious, brava! 🌹

[@Ira108]

Bravo! I can't imagine it being played better.

[@javiersantiagocampanini5035]

El único consuelo para tanta melancolía parece ser la belleza de la obra de Bach, de la interpretación y de Hilary misma. Tremenda

[@Fellfloete]

that is perfection - perfect composing and perfect interpretation

[@markelgar8763]

Just brilliant. Nothing else to say. A masterpiece of creation and performance

[@katerinadimitrakaki6983]

Sublime Hilary Hahn!! Thank you so much for your always magic and so touching performance!! Such perfection!!

[@bastiatintheandes4958]

It is about time for Hilary to release her complete sonatas and partitas SACD album. Long awaited!

[@hjonker6161]

There are other fine interpretations of this Bach piece on KZbin. I like versions by Perlman and Janine Jansen (amongst others) also, but I somehow keep coming back to this one. Her tone and timing are just so captivating and utterly commanding. You cannot help standing still, do nothing and just listen in awe. One almost forgets to breathe…

[@valeriysakov1410]

Браво Хилари! Спасибо!

[@robertmillner6216]

This performance is very moving. The mastery, poise, beauty of tone, precision. Just magical

[@Arepas7]

👏🏾👏🏾Magnificently played 🎻 Simply AMAZING 💓👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@franknifong9572]

Truly amazing violinist! Awesome playing and beautiful piece

[@dougdumbrill7234]

I got directed here by a Ray Chen review of several violinists playing this in differing ways. What I noticed was that Ray just couldn’t turn this off. Like the colleagues in this orchestra he too was transfixed!😳

[@ricardotoledo8834]

Eu tento estudar ou trabalhar quando Hilary começa a tocar os primeiros acordes, mas é impossível não parar tudo o que se está fazendo e prestar atenção em cada nota. Simplesmente perfeita.

[@IgorVasquesBarata]

Concordo ❤

[@anahitghazaryan3857]

Magnificent performance Hilary, thanks for such a wonderful playing

[@valeriysakov1410]

Браво Хилари Хан! Спасибо!

[@SMTDDR]

I just started taking violin classes and I'm assuming this video is the result of decades of dedication!

[@orecalle]

Simplemente impresionante. Hillary Hahn y Bach una combinación perfecta.!!

[@oriolespunymontfort5871]

És la perfecció absoluta amb l'afinació, la comunicació... Segurament aquest vídeo forjarà molts talents. Moltes gràcies ❤

[@therealzilch]

Hilary Hahn is a gift to humanity.

[@user-pu7yl5py1u]

This violinist is excellent!

[@conradmadden9107]

Truly amazing she plays Bach beautiful ❤️

[@rudolfboukal1538]

Wow .... such beauty. And every millimeter of her bow not only has a purpose, but is fulfilled. She is a lion hiding in the flowerbed.

[@cmw9876]

"A Lion in the Flower Bed!" 👍

[@Will67267]

Wow! Incredible control.

[@Stone2home]

Hilary's back! What a performance!

[@paulnugent9937]

Standing ovation to Hilary, but on one’s knees to Johann…

[@susanhoffmann6304]

Stunning

[@BjornWilliams]

A marvel unmatched ❤

[@ginopagnani7286]

Inspirational !!!!

[@patchin1]

Wow!

[@JoaoVitor-hd5bf]

Som espetacular!