Xavier Foley Bach Cello Suite No. 2 D minor on double bass

Xavier Foley on the double bass - Instrument made by Rumano Solano
I. Prelude 00:00
II. Allemande 05:23
III. Courante 09:16
IV. Sarabande 11:29
V. Minuet 1 & 2 15:03
VI. Gigue 18:47
For performance dates and sheet music, visit xavierfoley.com

[@sewersideproductions2606]

I’m a failed ex-upright bass player and can’t even properly describe how insanely difficult this instrument is to play. Just sounding one single, clear note takes hours of practice, intense physical prowess, and immense dedication. What I’m trying to say is that this guy is pretty good.

[@augimusicdotcom484]

He's MUCH better than "pretty good"....but I get your point 😊

[@JessicaTPeterson]

I've never heard this suite sound like this. It feels like being pulled into another dimension. Powerful. And glorious.

[@augimusicdotcom484]

great to Meditate to

[@scottrosenthal3437]

Xavier, to say you are a virtuoso is an understatement. You're playing is so ethereal and musical that I'm not aware I am listening to a bassist but a cellist. Are you solo tuned? Your bow arm is spectacular, just the right sound for Bach. Truly amazing. Are you a member of a top 5 orchestra or are you embarked on a solo career? I have not heard your compositions but look forward to hearing them.

[@ramonpooser2434]

I don’t know if the recording is responsible but it sounds like D#, which makes the sound a little brighter and projects a little more sound, both maybe from my standpoint. Maybe I have perfect pitch but I have a relationship with the original pitches that alternate tunings would never work for me. It discouraged me from playing the music anyway at a young age and this was wrong of me.

[@santiagobenitez1388]

your comment is low key passive agressive.

[@phenomenalmzlisa]

This was mesmerizing! I played string bass long years ago in high school. You often come across bassist who are technically good, but lack soul. You made your bass sing and the gave life to the notes on the page. It makes me want to dust my bass off and play again.

[@augimusicdotcom484]

Absolute perfect playing Sir Foley! The Bass is so woody and full in that woody room that brings out a perfect sound. It's so ethereal and peaceful I could meditate to it and de-stress from a long day.. For those who don't play this instrument I could tell you it takes many years of 6 hours a day practicing to get like this. My Bowing is not nearly as good.

[@maxlouisjansen]

You're incredibly good. This music is so beautiful. Could you please record all suites? That would be a gift to humanity.

[@brianhershey7697]

The most amazing rendition, across all instruments, of this suite. It transports me into a whole new dimension. Thank you for sharing this gift!

[@heyphoo]

Amazing! Every detail is so beautiful... Bravissimo Xavier, you are an incredibile artist!!

[@Fretlessness]

Incredible man You're absolutely killing the game this past year

[@snowman8129]

My favourite interpretation of this had always been François Rabbath... until today! Incredible stuff:)

[@bolivar1789]

Wow this is incredibly beautiful and peaceful! Hope to hear you live here in Germany one day! Much love to you and yours!🥰

[@andrewhooker8798]

Hey man, your performance here truly meets the definition of "no note left behind". I mean holy jumpin' shitballs dude - the attention to detail and NUANCE. I think the hallmark of truly great Bach playing is when I'm just forced to drop everything and just...listen. This was simply, profound.

[@savamedan8920]

I love this! Thank you that you recorded it!!!

[@steveng.3927]

This is so cool. The passion is definitely showing!

[@jeroenvanhoorne3458]

Thanx! Love your sound and the vivid way of playing

[@ifilonych]

Xavier, thank you so much.

[@niiwii406]

I am amateur cellist and love your play so much!! One of the richest double bass sound I've ever heard!!

[@clancywiggam]

He always delivers! Beautiful.

[@ramonpooser2434]

Bravo! I look forward to much more.

[@nonretrogradable]

I had no idea a double bass could sound like that... I need you to make a record of all 6 suites!

[@vai160]

I second this!

[@slasha86]

Xavier, that was awesome!

[@vdvlad]

Xavier, that's incredible! Thanks for sharing your music here! You're such an inspiration!!!!!

[@CloveHitchCory]

absolutely beautiful, very well played

[@andrewchristianbrundidge]

Wow, very amazing

[@vai160]

I hear your soul and feel your passion throughout this piece. Wonderful!

[@cameronjackson9755]

Absolutely phenomenal! So fluid, such a remarkable tone, such an intense & persuasive interpretation! Brilliant!

[@derekjohnsoncomposer]

So inspiring and beautiful. Thank you so much for this amazing performance.

[@ayse-umitonder]

incredibly relaxing sound, music and performer. the best combination. thank you so much for what you offer to us Mr. Foley...

[@belle9l]

Beautiful!! You showed me some of this in the master class. I get it now!! 🥰 My recital went well. Thank you!!

[@3340steve]

Thanks for the inspiration

[@dr05guitar]

Wow...incredible expression. Beautiful playing. Thank you for sharing your gift!

[@johnditto4885]

Fantastic, your sound is so rich.

[@angeloloisi4256]

awesome work, Xavier

[@berjbaldwin-mj7vy]

Truly extraordinary! Amazing sound from instrument and very talented musician

[@juanthegood]

This is honestly one of the best performances I’ve heard by anyone on any instrument 😮. I’m speechless 🤣🤣🤣

[@omarnmusic2815]

Bravo !! is beautiful!!

[@moominmoon8596]

Absolutely divine. Stunning interpretation of one of the most beautiful suites. It gains a new depth and darkness here, a truly seductive sound! The sarabande particularly is masterfully performed, with all of its grace and power coming through so wonderfully. Mr Foley, your technique is superb and it is a joy to watch you perform. Thank you for this gift!

[@BakajaHu]

Great. You understand this music.

[@JasonLeonPike]

Fantastic! Thank you.

[@jj1983e]

I commend you for memorizing all the notes from the suite. I have been playing suite 1 and 2 complete every day on alto, tenor, flute then clarinet, every day just because I think this is the best daily practice. Learned to play the cello only to play this, but gave it up because I got tired of tuning the cello. but it was great to hear it from you. Congrats.

[@alexandervasilyev1537]

Bravo! 👏

[@AroneusShaul]

Wow... Bravo!!!

[@giampaoloterrosi8373]

Non solo un bassista eccezionale, ma un grandissimo artista. Un'interpretazione migliore di quella di molte star del violoncello. Grazie del dono e complimenti con tutto il cuore!

[@DjavanCaetano]

Amanzing! True master!

[@juandelacruz471]

Parece Vd. un hombre diminuto tocando un violoncelo, y este hombre diminuto aupado luchando con las distancias del instrumento mayor, es un niño, un geniecillo que transmite desde el desequilibrio una más verdadera emoción de la música en el combate con el instrumento descomunal, lidiando con una composición del más enorme y descomunal de los músicos. Todos somos pequeños frente al gran Bach. Usted vence, como David; nos congratulamos de ello.

[@troydiehl4775]

Well played!

[@phineasbluster2872]

XF.... surpassing all. Rising to thrall. Imbibing it all, making the universe call. Your suite!

[@damiannueva5377]

Amazing and powerful !!!!!!!waoo

[@anthonykosoko7597]

Inspiring to say the least!!

[@kerry3679]

I am a huge fan of your expressive playing. i hope to hear you live sometime in my lifetime.

[@StealthArt]

The best!

[@todddoesthings2ndchannel336]

How have I not heard this before?!

[@Viktorvelat95]

Bravo, sir! You’re a genius! I see that you recorded this masterpiece in the Skillman studio in Brooklyn, NYC! Nice! I have been recording some piano solo stuff there as well, great!

[@user-hy8uu4ii2r]

まるで、絵画から音が聴こえてくるよう。美しい。

[@ajavrik482]

....3.34min,...and everything!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@hosseinomidi5244]

It's difficult to express my thoughts on the modernity of Bach. It's modern without being fantastical or nostalgic; it's about the present and stillness.

[@MrShinitSky]

Bravooooo

[@Jesus_ls_The_Way]

😳 wow

[@sogehtdasnicht]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@brunomaia..7710]

A complex set up which really sounds like a fat cello imho. Besides the barroque bow grip which softens the attacks, the string set used like low helicore hibrids solo, and a high flexocor deluxe solo, then down tune them all half step, ending up half step higher than orchestral pitch, nearly one whole step higher than the original barroque pitch, which somehow seems to resonate more, and to a blindfold test make one believe she is a big cello under a barroque bow. I could not reckognise the pair of small cardioid ciggarette mics, but their positioning in that excellent acoustics room certainly made a big difference there. Congrats, once again. I look forward to watching BWV 1009 next. I's like watching chapters of your biography.

[@jst.hilaire354]

Wow

[@irmagroseman9220]

❤😊

[@davidgima1364]

bro is cracked

[@garywhite43]

Is that your own transcription? Lovely!

[@ninotkabladze7448]

❤

[@musclespasm1557]

MAKE THIS GUY GET PAID

[@taempe6932]

xavier, you’re the missing link to the rest of the string family! Very tastful, even the digital signal processing is perfected!

[@licuricicostel30]

Supeeeer

[@licuricicostel30]

Esti un magnific

[@gregoryhunter7413]

Incredible! Do you use a different edition for bass, or do you just learn from the cello sheet music?

[@XavierFoley]

From the Cello music

[@gregoryhunter7413]

@@XavierFoley Thanks!

[@franzfigueracello]

As a baroque cellist myself I`m spechless

[@matthewwalloch6250]

i hate how you make it look so effortless, as now I am going to try it and just make bach roll in his grave for a few hours

[@PeterDad60]

Sloppy and he can not hold the tempo. I don't hear Bach I hear a poor, distant rambling!

[@XavierFoley]

thanks

[@nathanbegel4505]

I you think this is sloppy, I don't know what isn't! You like the interpretation or not but the intonation is perfect and rubato is very common in classical music. I would even say he doesn't do that much in this piece.

[@nathanbegel4505]

Also I'd like to add that it's not very wise to post such comments when you have videos of yourself playing on your channel

[@Awqkened903]

@peterdad60 This is solo work. It’s quite different from orchestral excerpts or anything similar to where you must keep a steady beat. As he is the soloist, he gets to choose how to phrase it. During certain parts of the piece, taking time is not bad at all. If he holds the time, then the music will sound almost like a robot.