"The Bach pianist for our time. Breathtaking. He plays with Zen-like mystical concentration and spiritual involvement resulting in an unparalleled level of inspiration and ethereal beauty. Bach's soul is absolutely palpable. The greatest example of selfless art I have ever encountered."
I agree in this exact definition of Thomas, a supreme musician and perhaps one of the best performers of Bach music of all times. We wait you some day in Argentina. From Balcarce, Argentina.
Every time I listen to this recording, something changes in my perception of this music, as if the recording were a different one. This is when the composer is not suppressed by the performer and his ego. In fact and truly, at least for me, this music by Bach played by Thomas Schwan sounds even more alive, more truly expressive than I perceived it at the beginning, after listening to it more than a hundred times. This is the first time in my life that the playing of a musician has had such an effect on my musical perception. What a joy and relief it is to have the opportunity to listen only to Bach and not the player!!!! Thomas Schwan is a Bach medium who makes it possible for Bach to be among us through his music and thus also through his spirit. Every time I listen to Bach by Thomas Schwan, I am even more amazed by the beauty of this music and its performance. NOT JUST BEAUTY, BUT DIVINITY!!!.
When I was a kid, I used to play the Italian Concerto. I tried everything I could do to "mimic" Glenn Gould, whom I idolized. Gradually, as I matured, I realized that "not everything" should be played staccato. And that rocket-tempos were not perfect for everything. I was always looking for someone to mimic. I listened to old recordings of Landowska and some others I can't remember now. I can still play the Italian Concerto, but obviously not as well as I used to, and not as fast. I could never play it smoothly. But during those years I never heard Thomas, because he was only a kid then. With Thomas, I have an opportunity to hear a perfect legato line without excess pedal. His thumb agility is as close to perfect, and he prepares each line of counterpoint ahead of time in his mind. I can hear it in the music. I wish I had an opportunity to hear him when I was a kid. Fortunately, I have that opportunity NOW. Beyond his heartfelt musicality is also the ability to memorize! I know it took him years. But he makes it appear effortless. We are fortunate NOW to hear Bach the way I should have done it, but I never had the left-hand agility he has. I am a surgeon. I could never play like Thomas. Not even close. Pianists out there: If you are looking for someone to emulate in Bach, select Thomas. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Thank you for sharing this, and for your truly generous words! I am humbled! As I see some appreciation for the fact that I personally tend to play Bach legato (or at least I always consider legato before resorting to staccato) I wonder if we may be witnessing some kind of historical need of returning to a singing and "natural" understanding of this music - just as in the 50's it was imperative to adopt a "structuralist" and "rationalist" approach, as in many way it was, perhaps, the zeitgeist of the time... Thank you again and all the best, with blessings! Thomas
Thomas Schwan is the best interpreter of Bach keyboard music I have ever heard in my 68 year life of music from early in the morning until late at night. His playing is not breathtaking, but breathgiving, precisely because we can hear Bach's music in front of our ears, unadulterated and not mutilated. I can breathe deeply when I hear Thomas perform the Bach music, because this music is rendered as it deserves to be played.
Not ""The Bach pianist for our time.", but "The Bach pianist of all times since Bach himself." To hear Bach played by Thomas Schwan means for me the experience of paradise.
I am 64 years old. I first became acquainted with the WTC when I was in Jr High in S. California in the early 1970's. The recordings of Glenn Gould astounded me (for all the wrong reasons). For years that was the gold standard in my mind. Then i heard Sviatoslav Richter's incredible recordings and those supplanted Gould's. They still do. This take pleases my soul as well as any I have heard. I don't know how to say why, but I am enthralled with this performance. Live performances have something tangible over studio recordings and this is no exception.
Thank you so much for listening and for your kind words! I personally share the same love for Richter that you also have; his interpretations are enigmatic, humble, spiritual, philosophical. I studied intensely his WTC recording over years, note by note, and I feel that I am "sitting on his giant shoulders" with my own humble efforts. I also love Fischer, whom Richter certainly listened to and studied in his time. There is certainly a particular genealogy, different than Gould's, who was inspired and went on inspiring other and different kinds of artists - and had a very different vision on Bach's music than Richter's... Thank you again, all the best! Thomas
The WTC to me is the most important music ever composed in history. To play the entire book is unbelievable, and to perform it at such a high level and interpretation is remarkable. And you make it look easy when I know the difficulty these pieces present. Congratulations, Bravo and I will listen/watch this performance for years to come. Thank you!
Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! I am more than happy that you are enjoying this interpretation. And I absolutely agree with you when you say that the WTC may well be the most important music ever composed. All the best to you, with blessings! Thomas
No. 1 in C Major BWV 846: Praeludium 0:23 Fuga 2:26 No. 2 in C minor BWV 847: Praeludium 4:47 Fuga 6:15 No. 3 in C sharp major BWV 848: Praeludium 7:57 Fuga 9:17 No. 4 in C sharp minor BWV 849: Praeludium 11:43 Fuga 15:06 No. 5 in D major BWV 850: Praeludium 21:23 Fuga 22:35 No. 6 in D minor BWV 851: Praeludium 24:26 Fuga 26:01 No. 7 in E flat major BWV 852: Praeludium 29:20 Fuga 33:16 No. 8 in E flat minor/D sharp minor BWV 853: Praeludium 34:59 Fuga 38:59 No. 9 in E major BWV 854: Praeludium 45:44 Fuga 47:04 No. 10 in E minor BWV 855: Praeludium 48:17 Fuga 50:42 No. 11 in F major BWV 856: Praeludium 51:55 Fuga 52:50 No. 12 in F minor BWV 857: Praeludium 54:18 Fuga 56:46 No. 13 in F sharp major BWV 858: Praeludium 1:03:23 Fuga 1:04:49 No. 14 in F sharp minor BWV 859: Praeludium 1:07:44 Fuga 1:08:41 No. 15 in G major BWV 860: Praeludium 1:12:22 Fuga 1:13:14 No. 16 in G minor BWV 86: Praeludium 1:15:43 Fuga 1:18:03 No. 17 in A flat major BWV 862: Praeludium 1:21:02 Fuga 1:22:20 No. 18 in G sharp minor BWV 863: Praeludium 1:25:23 Fuga 1:26:50 No. 19 in A major BWV 864: Praeludium 1:30:35 Fuga 1:31:48 No. 20 in A minor BWV 865: Praeludium 1:34:37 Fuga 1:35:42 No. 21 in B flat major BWV 866: Praeludium 1:39:46 Fuga 1:40:58 No. 22 in B flat minor BWV 867: Praeludium 1:42:28 Fuga 1:45:54 No. 23 in B major BWV 868: Praeludium 1:50:58 Fuga 1:51:52 No. 24 in B minor BWV 869: Praeludium 1:54:21 Fuga 1:58:57
@@BachIdealized Thank you! Indeed I am truly obsessed with the expressive weight of tempo... How difficult it is to "frame" the one and only right tempo for any piece in a given acoustic space!
Youd be surprised anyone musical can retain what they hear. Many can play music back after hearing 5 minutes of 2 handed music wout. Most of us have to study but memory inficates you dont really have musical understanding of a certain quality. I have studied and played these works over 40gyears but have never played any composer with the intelligent musicality,Bachian stylistic verve,charm,understan d ing of Schwann. Ireally want to hear him in the impossibly difficultMozart sonatas ehich look so easy on the page but if you really hear thr music realize its more a test than a Chopin,Ligeti or Unsuk Chin etude.
@@MrInterestingthings Thank you for listening and for your truly wonderful words! I totally agree with you, Mozart is unimaginably more difficult than Ligeti...
@JLMABIO I loved the Harold Samuel fingerings and the commentary on the Tovey edition, which however has some small text errors in Book I; for textual accuracy in Book I the latest Henle seems very precise; the Henle doesn't have the alternative versions of the C major Fugue (you'll find these in the Bärenreiter I believe) but personally I don't think they matter. For Book 2, I used the most recent Henle; comparing it to the Tovey and others, I feel they took the best choices regarding variants and doubtful passages (although that's highly subjective). All the best! Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan Thank you answering. Your Well Tempered Clavier, as is called, gave me impetus to explore, learn then, love them. PS Has your memory always been so incredible!
@@stevehinnenkamp5625 Thank you, Steve, that makes me truly happy to hear! I wish you all the best in the exploration of this work, which is a true spiritual goldmine! Well, I think I was gifted with a good memory, but probably each fully formed human mind is capable of achieving this; it is just a matter of finding one's unique, personal key to it. In my case, I have done a lot of purely mental practice, away from the piano, over many years; this has probably helped me in fully using my potential in that sense... Also, there is a psychological component: a certain "faith" and, in a good sense, a certain carelessness (fearlessness) must go into it: possible only if one is not worried about himself at all.
I was so happy when you mentioned 'mental practice.' Much can be accomplished by the mind before approaching the keyboard. I held scores in lap on subways, to learn something I was to play as accompanist. The mind is more advanced than the fingers when you love the music, but haven't enough time...
To learn the entirety of Book I from memory is a phenomenal feat in itself, and in terms of interpretation, there are so many gems this pianist brings us here. He plays with deep spirit, and we get to enjoy certainly one of the finest interpretations of the final b-minor fugue I've ever heard by anyone.
It seems that Bachs music is about the perfect balance between the left and right hemisphere of the brain, between intellect and intuition. With this performance we can witness such a rare happening were the performer disappears so that the music can shine. Just as Bach himself enjoyed relatively little fame and attention during his lifetime because the music world needed more time to be able to absorb the immensity of it, only for him to be recognized much later as the greatest composer of all time, this performance will not be forgotten for a long time but only grow in its status more and more.
Very good comment! Thank you! Yes JS Bach struggled with his life while being overloaded by his duties, family and so on. The miracle still is that he was able to compose the greatest works in the history of music while at the same time he was not understood by the listeners of his time, being restricted by oldfashioned men in his surrounding world!!!
Having learned a couple of the simplest Bach inventions myself, i can't even begin to comprehend the accomplishment of playing the complete WTC by heart
Really love your choice of tempi, discrete, nothing eccentric nor attention seeking, often a search for the intrinsic qualities of Bach's art, it is as if we are following you on your journey through a better world, as Edward Elgar so eloquently stated: "far removed from daily vulgar and sordid things". I also am impressed with the sensitive use of shadings and colors of the instrument at your disposal. Not a mean feat, probably one of the most underrated difficulties of piano playing. Thanks for sharing your towering achievement.
Thank you, what wonderful words and lovely comment, these words truly resonate with me. Thank you for taking the time to listen and for your really inspiring words. All the best, Thomas
Tears are rolling down my cheeks listening to this marvel! No words can describe what I feel, or the immensity of your accomplishments, Mr. Schwan. Those who realize this will understand. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you for your incredible words, and I am truly happy that this interpretation resonates with you! I deeply appreciate you generous and affectionate words. All the best to you, with gratitude! Thomas
I have Asperger's syndrome, so I can't dream, but I'm good at math. Your perfect skill makes me relive my youth when I listened WTK and tried to calculate the distant future. And what I failed to calculate, the gypsies conjured me (joke). Thank you, Thomas.
Wow - I have been listening to the WTC for 30+ years -- all sorts of interpretations. This one is about the music and not about the pianist - that is what I like about it. At the same time, Mr. Schawn's style (balanced, contained, expressive, precise) comes through very clearly. Fantastic - bravissimo! And please come back to the Boston area to perform! I missed you this March.
Closest to what I think, and feel JSB thought and felt, when he wrote the pieces. There is nothing I can say that wouldn't be inadequate. Thank you for this; it's divine
@@blondellemarie-jeanne3845 Thank you for such a wonderful comment, I am really happy that this interpretation resonates with you. All the best, Thomas
Dear Mr. Schwan, I am contacting you because your interpretations have been with me for months or even years. I am a student of the classical accordion (a different instrument, I know) and have been studying Bach's works for a long time, mainly piano interpretations of course. After looking through various interpreters (some of them with high-ranking names), I always return to your interpretations and feel “at home”. My music teacher told me that I should tell you about it - I'm sure you would be delighted. I am currently particularly enthusiastic about your profound way of playing the F sharp major fugue, where you sensitively work out all the subtleties of the polyphony despite the unusually slow tempo - for me an absolute masterpiece. Your influence will stay with me for the rest of my life, not only when I want to play Bach's works (and especially those of the WTC) on my instrument. Your recordings of WTC 1 and 2 accompany me every day and delight me every time anew. Not least because I always return to them when I have heard other interpretations. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you all the best. It would be a dream come true for me if you ever played a concert in Europe (especially the WTC). Until then, I will continue to dream with your recordings. Thank you very much! Best regards from Munich, Andreas
Dear Andreas, I am deeply grateful for your message, and yes, truly delighted by your words. To know that someone feels "at home" listening to my interpretations is, to me, the highest honor and the greatest accomplishment I can imagine as an artist. So, thank you wholeheartedly for taking the time to write these words to me! Definitely some of the most precious words I have ever received, and a great gift in this moment. I wish you the very best from the bottom of my heart, and would love one day to hear some Bach performed by you on the accordion. All to the best to you! Gratefully, Thomas
Magnificent. As they say in French: "Quelle justesse." From beginning to end. Mellifluous, perfectly articulated. Bach would have been proud. Thomas Schwan deserves a stage which would do justice to his talent and the depth of his undertanding of Bach. Complimenti, una grandissima interpretazione (e ne conosco la maggior parte).
Avec Thomas Schwan j'ai redécouvert complétement le Clavier bien tempéré, une interprétation sereine et chantante (clarté des voix, du discours). Aucune emphase ou effet inutile. Je ressens une grande paix intérieure après l'écoute de chaque P et F. Mr Schwan est un grand musicien. Il nous fait oublier la difficulté technique d'une telle oeuvre, jouée par coeur de surcroit. Du grand BACH, dans l'intimité de l' âme. XB en Bretagne
Dear Nadine, thank you for listening and for sending me these wonderful words; I was deeply moved when you mentioned that you felt a sense of inner peace listening to this interpretation. This makes me truly happy, beyond what I can say in words! Thank you, and I wish you and your family and wonderful and joyful Christmas! All the best, Thomas
A million times amazing how each voice comes in like a character in a play and after saying what it has to say disappears letting the next voice to come in. A M A Z I N G!!!!!!!!! I just cannot stop hearing to this music and magic playing!!!
Thank you for these kind words, and for listening! I feel truly happy that you find this inspiring on a personal level!! Thank you so much, all the best to you, Thomas
JSB, math and magic combined to music. But I’m biased, I grown up with this music as my father played pipe organ in churches and concerts. I was singing in choirs. Somehow that planted JSB’s music deep in my synapses for decades to stay. This great presentation was a nice refresher.
When I was a junior high kid, I first heard Bach's Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 played by Wanda Landowska on 45 rpm records. This was the beginning of my lifelong love of Bach's compositions. I was interested that Bach said ""The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." Watching and listening to you play, my soul was honestly refreshed. Though I was all alone I couldn't help making appreciative comments out loud as I the music spoke to me in a way it never had before. Thank you very much for the best rendering of the WTC I've ever heard!
Thank you so much for listening, and for such kind words! I am truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation. And yes, that is a wonderful quote from Bach; it really puts the art of music in the only right perspective, and cuts at its root any temptation of "ego". All the best to you! Thomas
This performance is historical!! To be able to express the intense emotions in each piece with such authenticity, all while being utterly true to the form and style of the baroque era, a grand feat indeed. Some were faster than I'm used to, some were slower, but overall every tempo decision felt justified within the consistency of the interpretation and the style of the period. It was a great joy to listen to these tunes, which I've been so familiar with, with fresh ears, almost as if for the first time. Not only that, but to perform the entire book live and not so much as making a mistake (that I could notice, anyway), with no editing or tricks whatsoever, it's astonishing! The only problem was the audience, there wasn't nearly as much attendance as there should have been. I would have given anything to be in this audience and yet I'm so grateful to have this performance on RUclips so I can listen to it as many times as I want.
Not to mention you did the same thing for book 2, which is immeasurably more complex. I'm so glad I got to listen to that one in its entirety for the first time played by your blessed hands. It has since become my standard to get to know book 2, and I'm probably ditching the recordings I was used to for book 1 in favor of this one as well. Bless you, Thomas, and I wish you a fulfilling and long life.
@@andredelacerdasantos1283 Thank you for your incredible words, I am truly humbled - and happy that these interpretations are meaningful you! Also, it is a great honor for me to know that your first encounter with Book 2 has been through this interpretation. On my part it is a very peculiar feeling, indeed, and a great sense of responsibility. Once more, thank you wholeheartedly for your warm words - they mean a lot to me. All the best to you, with blessings!! Thomas
MAESTRO, ma davvero ha eseguito TUTTO il WTK in un solo concerto? È una impresa ai limiti dell'umano. Mi sembra persino stupido complimentarmi con LEI. Grazie davvero
I've been listening different interpretations from the WTC for a decade or so and yours figures amongst the greatest I've ever heard. You showed a lot of respect for Bach also you're very talented. You do have a brilliant future ahead. Congratulations!
A confession - although enjoying listening to a wide range of classical music for years, I have struggled with with getting to grips with J S Bach. Just hearing the first four has been like finally switching on the connection to my mind and heart. This is helping me to move on from concluding that truly appreciating his greatest work would remain out of reach for me. A truly exceptional two hours of live musicianship recorded for people to listen to and engage with deeply. Thank you.
I’m truly humbled. Not many will understand how much effort it takes to learn just 1 prelude and fugue and play it well, let alone play the entire WTC in one sitting to a life audience. Even during this tough times we are facing there are still people working very hard to provide us this gems. Isn’t it also beautiful the fact he sort of resembles Jesus Christ? I can feel the suffering but also the beauty emanating from his body, seems to embody the true Christian spirit.
What an incredible comment; it is me who is humbled, of course! If there is any possibility I could be the "useless servant" from Luke 17, through music making and in the humblest possible way, that would be an extraordinary and undeserved honor. All the best to you and thank you again for your words, Thomas
It sounds like Bach reincarnated. Tones of eternity. Thank you so much for this. No words can express my gratitude - listening to this clear, clean, pure interpretation of the Wohltemperierte Klavier. No, it is not an interpretation, it is the composition itself, it is the origin. Spent hours with it, yesterday and today. Blessings to you.
Thank you wholeheartedly for these incredible words. I am truly humbled and happy that you are finding joy in these interpretations! All the best to you, with blessings and gratitude, Thomas
Exactly said: "No, it is not an interpretation, it is the composition itself, it is the origin". I've already spent over nine months with "it" and I don't think I'll stop spending time with this rendering of Bach's music.
It must be emphasized again and again: "clear, clean, pure interpretation of the Wohltemperierte Klavier". These words say everything that can be said about Thomas Schwan's performance of Bach's music and are the essence of all comments about his playing.
Was mesmerized throughout. SUPERB dynamics. A tour de force. You are AMAZING. I’ve never heard Bach’s WTC Books 1 and 2 played better by anyone. 👏👏👏👏👏 That must’ve taken a lot out of you.
Dearest Jose, thank you once more for your incredibly kind words and your amazing generosity!! Yes, this project, as you say, has definitely required an incredible investment of mental, emotional, and spiritual energies on my part... I still feel somewhat drained and look forward to get some rest during the Christmas period. I also wish you a wonderful holiday season! Thank you again wholeheartedly, God bless you!! Thomas
It all sounds amazing musically but I have to mention the 22nd Prelude 1:42:28 and Fuga 1:45:54 and also as I'm listening to the next two right now they are all out of this world. For the first time in my life I hear Bach in such a subtle pianississimo that it sounds in my soul like the intense whispering of prayer. The truth is that Bach was the greatest romantic composer.
Dear Paul, thank you so much for this great comment, too! I am happy you mention the B flat minor: yes, uncanny and otherworldly music. I am glad that my humble interpretation managed to be meaningful to you!
Please, release a CD or a lossless audio album with all these wonderful interpretation. You should really go to a studio and record it all and release it as a lossless album. I would surelly buy it.
Just discovering Thomas now and hearing this for the first time. After listening I went looking on iTunes hoping to find a recording! I agree with the accolades in the previous comments - especially MrVincent537 - Thomas, this rendering of Bach's WTC is "breathgiving"! I wonder if you might ever come to the University of Vermont Lane Series? I am (in the 1970's) a performance major and have spent a lot of time with the WTC. You make me want to go back and practice! This performance is exquisite - an amazing combination of delicacy and power flawlessly executed. I have to say ... I am in awe.
Dear Mark, thank you wholeheartedly for your wonderful words, and for listening! I hope I'll have a chance to visit Vermont in the future! Thank you again, with blessings, Thomas
It's very very difficult to memorize entire WTC , particularly fugues are very difficult to memorize because of the sophisticated contrapunctual nature!!!!! U have a soul of bach !!!!!! God bless !!!!! JV.SURIYAN Dated (24.4.2023)🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉.
WTC I and II is a towering peak of Western Civilisation. Anyone who scales these heights, as Thomas has, is in fine company. My guess is that fewer people have done this than climbed Mt. Everest.
Found Thomas’s video as I was searching for help on playing the C minor prelude and Fugue. I got captivated and listened the full recital in one go . Truly inspiring from a purely technical point , Thomas ‘s flawless and brutally honest interpretation elevates the spirit a little closer to the divine in the way one can only imagine was Bach’s lifelong and tireless work.
I really like your interpretation and playing of Bach. You have a rare gift in that you keep a perfect tempo and have a very delicate interpretation of the subtle nuances. I trawl RUclips to find interpreters of Bach whom I like to listen to and you are amongst the top few!
Thank you so much! I am happy that kind of message came through effectively. Richter's rather slow pace in his 1970 recording was definitely the inspiration for the tempo in the B minor Prelude - although I believe I may have taken an even slower one...
@@ThomasSchwan Youri Egorov played it even more slowly, I believe. But especially during your live performance, this majestic prelude served a dramatic preparation for the fireworks you put into its fuga, the closing piece of WTC 1. Well set, bravo.
How you breathfully dynamically intertwine the voices in Bach's fugues, no one can to this day. I found myself at the end of this incredible over two hours of Bach music with my mouth wide open, having not noticed it the entire time I watched and heard this mesmerizing rendition of Bach's music.
Bach once said, "I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well". These perfomances of WTC I-II show like no other that he was right :) it would be great to hear The Art of Fugue and ricercari from the Musical Offering played to such perfection.
Wonderful! Reminiscent of Richter's approach to the WTC. As a young boy, I heard him live in Salzburg in the early '70s playing the WTC. I didn't move an inch, was mesmerized...It took 50 years before another pianist could transport me to that spiritual dimension again. And then I found you... ❤❤🙏🙏
Thank you for listening and for your wonderful words - I am truly happy that you hear a connection to Richter, whose recordings I studied very deeply. Among all Bach interpreters, perhaps the one I still feel a strongest personal connection to. Thank you again for your words, all the best! Thomas
I have no idea how you do this, but I am thrilled and immensely grateful that you do. A shimmering manifestation of the transcendent during these dark times.
Dark time had started since atomic blasting by USA of two innocent Japan cities including Churchill's speech about a Cold war and iron curtain .... Double Dark Diabolic Demon became as Pentagon and NATO-Nazi
@@illusionyx907 Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words! I am just a humble craftsman :) Very happy to know that you find this interpretation meaningful, and that my efforts paid off. All the best to you! Thomas
@illusiONYX yes definitely; and in general the growing interference of evil technology in all aspects of our lives, ultimately geared toward total control (which of course will never happen). World wars, the bombing of Japan, Nazi-Communist genocides, and then the Second Vatican Council, CIA-managed counterculture and the spread of drugs, Gladio, neoliberal globalization after 1989, 9/11 and Iraq, shock economy, and the ultimate dream of establishing a global Bio Security State (which also, fortunately, will never happen). As the action of evil in the world is more and more evident in our dark age, we are more and more called to turn on - each of us individually, in whichever way we are called to - a little Light.
i wish to someday play Bach this well! i am obsessed with the WTC I (still yet to be able to listen to WTC II in whole) truly a feat of memory and musicality what you have accomplished here, to play the whole compendium in one sitting! and to be able to to play such complex counterpoint like the C-sharp minor (4) and D-sharp minor (8) fugues is beyond words. bravo!!
The whole WTC is a masterwork. Especially the fugues in C Sharp Minor and D Sharp Minor always stand out to me and leave me speechless. Thank you, Thomas for your deep and moving performance.
Dear Philipp, thank you for your kind words and for listening! I am truly happy that you enjoy this interpretation. And yes, I also dearly love the C sharp minor and D sharp minor fugues; two sublime moments of prayer and introspection. Again, thank you for your kind words, and I wish you a wonderful Christmas! Thomas
@@mikemossey Thank you, Michael, for listening and for your kind words! I am truly happy that you enjoyed the interpretation of the C sharp minor fugue, also one of my very favorite works ever! I wish you and your family a Happy New Year!! Thomas
What a great discovery this is. You conjure, extract from thin air the logic and density of the counterpoint. The control and pace of the narrative is beautiful. Hearing the WTC Bk 1 in its entirety is such a generous feat of soul. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for listening and for such kind words! Thank you also for mentioning my humble efforts in bringing out the counterpoint, it is something I have put a lot of work in - and it is very fulfilling to know that it resonates with other listeners... Thank you again, all the best! Thomas
Seeing that you are watching, I mention that in Fugue 2, I play semistaccato on the quavers and legato on the semiquavers. But your staccato version is lovely too. Quavers are 8th notes and semiquavers are 16th notes.
Thank you for your note - yes, I believe that my interpretation at the time was somewhere in between, with most 16th notes staccato but some of them legato (such as at the end of the subject)...
Transfixed. Often come to hear one or another BWV in particular and then can’t stop listening beyond. Never enough superlatives for Bach after listening to this.
Remarkable interpretation of Bach's indeed, Mr. Schwan could brilliantly touch the core of the great master's music, which is considered something unique....Thank you Mr, Shwan. Just a little remark : the number of the audience might seem few, it's not because of the performer, but those few attendants are the real true appreciatives of Bach's, since it's not so many who could tolerate listening to one composer more than two hours, unless they are true sincere lovers.
Thank you for your wonderful words! I am happy you are enjoying this interpretation! As for the attendance, I believe these were just modestly advertised events ... (I have no publicity apparatus behind my back...) All the best! Thomas
WOW no wonder this guy won first prize in a globabl Bach competition - there's 'professional musicians' out there coming up with their own rhythms missing the whole point of Bach and 'professional armchair listeners' saying 'you are welcome to your interpretation of Bach' but Bach wrote something and Thomas Schwan is playing it! And it is wonderful to have all this together...really showcases some pieces I can't wait to go dig out and learn now!!
Après avoir écouté toute ma vie Edwin Fischer, Sviatoslav Richter et Samuil Feinberg jouer cette oeuvre, je ne pensais pas qu’un jeune pianiste pût jamais faire aussi bien, sinon mieux. Un immense Bravo !!!
Beautiful, ethereal, every voice can be heard clearly and the tempos are masterfully managed. Papa Bach would be proud of your work. Such warmth of expression your touch imparts.
Thank you for posting. Your tempo keeps the listener grounded while the mind wanders. You are playing your left hand so soft, like Horowitz! I subscribed because I will follow your career!
"The Bach pianist for our time. Breathtaking. He plays with Zen-like mystical concentration and spiritual involvement resulting in an unparalleled level of inspiration and ethereal beauty. Bach's soul is absolutely palpable. The greatest example of selfless art I have ever encountered."
Dear Jacob, I feel truly humbled to receive such incredible words from as great an artist as you are! Thank you wholeheartedly!! Thomas
You put it perfectly
@@nickrussell8323 Thank you!!
I agree in this exact definition of Thomas, a supreme musician and perhaps one of the best performers of Bach music of all times.
We wait you some day in Argentina.
From Balcarce, Argentina.
@@josecanale7055 Thank you for such kind words! I truly appreciate! All the best to you, Thomas
The person who is reading this comment, I wish you great success , health, love and happiness!
元来、幸福、成功とは程遠い、この人生でした。バッハの調べその神秘的で奥深さはまさに、心の愛しみ、平安を、齎してくれます。又眠れぬ夜をむかえています。癒しです。果報者です。全てを与えてくれます。有難うございます
@user-nm5bc8ui6p
@user-nm5bc8ui6p Thank you for these wonderful words! All the best, with blessings, Thomas
❤ made my day
Que c'est beau...et si bien servi sous les doigts d'un maître....merci
@ewennlesergent3625 Thank you for your kind words! All the best! Thomas
Every time I listen to this recording, something changes in my perception of this music, as if the recording were a different one. This is when the composer is not suppressed by the performer and his ego. In fact and truly, at least for me, this music by Bach played by Thomas Schwan sounds even more alive, more truly expressive than I perceived it at the beginning, after listening to it more than a hundred times. This is the first time in my life that the playing of a musician has had such an effect on my musical perception. What a joy and relief it is to have the opportunity to listen only to Bach and not the player!!!! Thomas Schwan is a Bach medium who makes it possible for Bach to be among us through his music and thus also through his spirit. Every time I listen to Bach by Thomas Schwan, I am even more amazed by the beauty of this music and its performance. NOT JUST BEAUTY, BUT DIVINITY!!!.
Dear Paul, I feel absolutely humbled by your incredible words. Thank you, wholeheartedly! Thomas
All the first book by memory and in concert !!! Great achievement !!
Thank you! All the best to you! Thomas
❤@@ThomasSchwan
When I was a kid, I used to play the Italian Concerto. I tried everything I could do to "mimic" Glenn Gould, whom I idolized. Gradually, as I matured, I realized that "not everything" should be played staccato. And that rocket-tempos were not perfect for everything. I was always looking for someone to mimic. I listened to old recordings of Landowska and some others I can't remember now. I can still play the Italian Concerto, but obviously not as well as I used to, and not as fast. I could never play it smoothly.
But during those years I never heard Thomas, because he was only a kid then. With Thomas, I have an opportunity to hear a perfect legato line without excess pedal. His thumb agility is as close to perfect, and he prepares each line of counterpoint ahead of time in his mind. I can hear it in the music. I wish I had an opportunity to hear him when I was a kid.
Fortunately, I have that opportunity NOW. Beyond his heartfelt musicality is also the ability to memorize! I know it took him years. But he makes it appear effortless.
We are fortunate NOW to hear Bach the way I should have done it, but I never had the left-hand agility he has. I am a surgeon. I could never play like Thomas. Not even close. Pianists out there: If you are looking for someone to emulate in Bach, select Thomas.
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Thank you for sharing this, and for your truly generous words! I am humbled! As I see some appreciation for the fact that I personally tend to play Bach legato (or at least I always consider legato before resorting to staccato) I wonder if we may be witnessing some kind of historical need of returning to a singing and "natural" understanding of this music - just as in the 50's it was imperative to adopt a "structuralist" and "rationalist" approach, as in many way it was, perhaps, the zeitgeist of the time... Thank you again and all the best, with blessings! Thomas
Thomas Schwan is the best interpreter of Bach keyboard music I have ever heard in my 68 year life of music from early in the morning until late at night. His playing is not breathtaking, but breathgiving, precisely because we can hear Bach's music in front of our ears, unadulterated and not mutilated. I can breathe deeply when I hear Thomas perform the Bach music, because this music is rendered as it deserves to be played.
Dearest Paul, thank you for for this fantastic comment! Once more, I feel truly humbled!! All the best to you, Thomas
Wow. Such a deep appreciation has earned my respect.
"not breathtaking, but breathgiving" - beautifully phrased. I love this and will remember it.
@@titicatfollies6615Exactly.
No sad but Haven in Soul and poignant
Try Tatiana Nykolayeva for the Goldberg Variations. I just discovered Thomas Schwan today and I'm in heaven.
Not ""The Bach pianist for our time.", but "The Bach pianist of all times since Bach himself." To hear Bach played by Thomas Schwan means for me the experience of paradise.
Dearest Paul - thank you for these incredible words! I am humbled! All the best, Thomas
I am 64 years old. I first became acquainted with the WTC when I was in Jr High in S. California in the early 1970's. The recordings of Glenn Gould astounded me (for all the wrong reasons). For years that was the gold standard in my mind. Then i heard Sviatoslav Richter's incredible recordings and those supplanted Gould's.
They still do.
This take pleases my soul as well as any I have heard. I don't know how to say why, but I am enthralled with this performance. Live performances have something tangible over studio recordings and this is no exception.
Thank you so much for listening and for your kind words! I personally share the same love for Richter that you also have; his interpretations are enigmatic, humble, spiritual, philosophical. I studied intensely his WTC recording over years, note by note, and I feel that I am "sitting on his giant shoulders" with my own humble efforts. I also love Fischer, whom Richter certainly listened to and studied in his time. There is certainly a particular genealogy, different than Gould's, who was inspired and went on inspiring other and different kinds of artists - and had a very different vision on Bach's music than Richter's... Thank you again, all the best! Thomas
I felt wrong about Glenn Gould, and my father sent me to Murray Pariah in the "Goldberg Variations."
Schwan is quickly becoming a favorite Bach interpreter!
Truly happy to hear that, and I am humbled. Thank you for your words and for listening. All the best! Thomas
Probably the 10th time I have listened to this. With eyes closed. Beauty and genius. Thank you
Thank you for listening and for your wonderful words! All the best, with blessings! Thomas
I played 4 preludes and fugues by heart, but how can you memorize 2 volumes of a well-tempered clavier is phenomenal
Thank you for listening and for your kind words! All the very best to you, Thomas
The WTC to me is the most important music ever composed in history. To play the entire book is unbelievable, and to perform it at such a high level and interpretation is remarkable. And you make it look easy when I know the difficulty these pieces present. Congratulations, Bravo and I will listen/watch this performance for years to come. Thank you!
Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! I am more than happy that you are enjoying this interpretation. And I absolutely agree with you when you say that the WTC may well be the most important music ever composed. All the best to you, with blessings! Thomas
The just important piece of music in western music without argument
No. 1 in C Major BWV 846: Praeludium 0:23 Fuga 2:26
No. 2 in C minor BWV 847: Praeludium 4:47 Fuga 6:15
No. 3 in C sharp major BWV 848: Praeludium 7:57 Fuga 9:17
No. 4 in C sharp minor BWV 849: Praeludium 11:43 Fuga 15:06
No. 5 in D major BWV 850: Praeludium 21:23 Fuga 22:35
No. 6 in D minor BWV 851: Praeludium 24:26 Fuga 26:01
No. 7 in E flat major BWV 852: Praeludium 29:20 Fuga 33:16
No. 8 in E flat minor/D sharp minor BWV 853: Praeludium 34:59 Fuga 38:59
No. 9 in E major BWV 854: Praeludium 45:44 Fuga 47:04
No. 10 in E minor BWV 855: Praeludium 48:17 Fuga 50:42
No. 11 in F major BWV 856: Praeludium 51:55 Fuga 52:50
No. 12 in F minor BWV 857: Praeludium 54:18 Fuga 56:46
No. 13 in F sharp major BWV 858: Praeludium 1:03:23 Fuga 1:04:49
No. 14 in F sharp minor BWV 859: Praeludium 1:07:44 Fuga 1:08:41
No. 15 in G major BWV 860: Praeludium 1:12:22 Fuga 1:13:14
No. 16 in G minor BWV 86: Praeludium 1:15:43 Fuga 1:18:03
No. 17 in A flat major BWV 862: Praeludium 1:21:02 Fuga 1:22:20
No. 18 in G sharp minor BWV 863: Praeludium 1:25:23 Fuga 1:26:50
No. 19 in A major BWV 864: Praeludium 1:30:35 Fuga 1:31:48
No. 20 in A minor BWV 865: Praeludium 1:34:37 Fuga 1:35:42
No. 21 in B flat major BWV 866: Praeludium 1:39:46 Fuga 1:40:58
No. 22 in B flat minor BWV 867: Praeludium 1:42:28 Fuga 1:45:54
No. 23 in B major BWV 868: Praeludium 1:50:58 Fuga 1:51:52
No. 24 in B minor BWV 869: Praeludium 1:54:21 Fuga 1:58:57
@@bogusmcbogus2637 Thank you!
These tempi are perfect.
@@BachIdealized Thank you! Indeed I am truly obsessed with the expressive weight of tempo... How difficult it is to "frame" the one and only right tempo for any piece in a given acoustic space!
🙏❤
Put this on the video description, so we can advance direct on the player control.
It must take an unimaginable commitment and discipline to learn this by hard and play it live flawlessly
Thank you so much for listening and for these kind words! All the best to you! Thomas
Youd be surprised anyone musical can retain what they hear. Many can play music back after hearing 5 minutes of 2 handed music wout. Most of us have to study but memory inficates you dont really have musical understanding of a certain quality. I have studied and played these works over 40gyears but have never played any composer with the intelligent musicality,Bachian stylistic verve,charm,understan d ing of Schwann. Ireally want to hear him in the impossibly difficultMozart sonatas ehich look so easy on the page but if you really hear thr music realize its more a test than a Chopin,Ligeti or Unsuk Chin etude.
@@MrInterestingthings Thank you for listening and for your truly wonderful words! I totally agree with you, Mozart is unimaginably more difficult than Ligeti...
After 38 years of listening to this by Glenn Gould I am now satisfied by this refreshing alternative.
Thank you, I am truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you! Thomas
Thomas thank you for this inner-simplicity of such a profound sound musical experience that's alway forward in the 'now'...I am touched!
Seab
@@seabturner1704 Dear Seab, thank you for these wonderful words - I am humbled! All the best, with blessings! Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan, which is your most favorite and/or most complete printed edition of the WTC? Thank you.
@JLMABIO I loved the Harold Samuel fingerings and the commentary on the Tovey edition, which however has some small text errors in Book I; for textual accuracy in Book I the latest Henle seems very precise; the Henle doesn't have the alternative versions of the C major Fugue (you'll find these in the Bärenreiter I believe) but personally I don't think they matter. For Book 2, I used the most recent Henle; comparing it to the Tovey and others, I feel they took the best choices regarding variants and doubtful passages (although that's highly subjective). All the best! Thomas
Thank you, Maestro Thomas Schwan for bringing Bach to business in giving listeners joy, sorrow, humor, vitality to keep our humanity alive.
Dear Steve, thank you so much, what a fantastic comment! I feel truly grateful for your words. With all my blessings, all the best to you! Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan Thank you answering. Your Well Tempered Clavier, as is called, gave me impetus to explore, learn then, love them.
PS Has your memory always been so incredible!
@@stevehinnenkamp5625 Thank you, Steve, that makes me truly happy to hear! I wish you all the best in the exploration of this work, which is a true spiritual goldmine! Well, I think I was gifted with a good memory, but probably each fully formed human mind is capable of achieving this; it is just a matter of finding one's unique, personal key to it. In my case, I have done a lot of purely mental practice, away from the piano, over many years; this has probably helped me in fully using my potential in that sense... Also, there is a psychological component: a certain "faith" and, in a good sense, a certain carelessness (fearlessness) must go into it: possible only if one is not worried about himself at all.
I was so happy when you mentioned 'mental practice.'
Much can be accomplished by the mind before approaching the keyboard.
I held scores in lap on subways, to learn something I was to play as accompanist. The mind is more advanced than the fingers when you love the music, but haven't enough time...
@@stevehinnenkamp5625 Yes, absolutely true! Thank you, Steve!
One of the finest Bach-performances I've ever heard. So pure, so natural! God bless you, Thomas!
Dear Barnabás, thank you, I deeply appreciate your kind words and listening. All the best to you - and God bless you, as well!! Thomas
I am very sorry that I am listening to Mr. Thomas only now. He is instantly precise, soft and hard at the same time. This is the right way.
Why is the theater under half full?? More people need to listen to this
:)
I listen to this several times a week. It is my place of sanity in this world.
@@threethrushes Thank you for these words, this makes me incredibly happy. All the best to you! Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan Very fine playing, Thomas.
@@ChollieD Thank you!
I am utterly speechless. I cant even fathom learning AND memorizing these incredibly difficult masterpieces. Standing ovation!
Thank you for your truly kind words, and for listening! All the best! Thomas
I know pro pianists learn piano concertos by heart, but learning all these fugues by heart is really a different level
Thank you for listening - all the best, with blessings! Thomas
This has to be the perfect interpretation.
--- What pleasure to be back again and again. 241124.
Thank you!!
To learn the entirety of Book I from memory is a phenomenal feat in itself, and in terms of interpretation, there are so many gems this pianist brings us here. He plays with deep spirit, and we get to enjoy certainly one of the finest interpretations of the final b-minor fugue I've ever heard by anyone.
Thank you wholeheartedly for these great words - I am humbled. All the best, with blessings! Thomas
That last B minor fugue was otherworldly indeed!! My favorite rendition of my favorite Bach piece. Always has me tearing up
It seems that Bachs music is about the perfect balance between the left and right hemisphere of the brain, between intellect and intuition. With this performance we can witness such a rare happening were the performer disappears so that the music can shine.
Just as Bach himself enjoyed relatively little fame and attention during his lifetime because the music world needed more time to be able to absorb the immensity of it, only for him to be recognized much later as the greatest composer of all time, this performance will not be forgotten for a long time but only grow in its status more and more.
Thank you for this wonderful comment and for listening! I truly appreciate your kind words! All the best to you, with blessings, Thomas
Very good comment! Thank you! Yes JS Bach struggled with his life while being overloaded by his duties, family and so on. The miracle still is that he was able to compose the greatest works in the history of music while at the same time he was not understood by the listeners of his time, being restricted by oldfashioned men in his surrounding world!!!
Beethoven knew The Well Tempered Clavier by heart and sautéed! Geniuses meet geniuses!
Thank you for listening! :) All the best to you!! Thomas
So did Chopin!
Sir, you have mastered the art of playing Bach on the piano. Most splendid !!!
Thank you for your incredibly kind words! I am humbled. All the best, with blessings! Thomas
Having learned a couple of the simplest Bach inventions myself, i can't even begin to comprehend the accomplishment of playing the complete WTC by heart
Thank you for listening! All the best, Thomas
When Mozart arrived in heaven, God said:
- You will conduct my orchestra!
Mozart replied:
- But... what about Bach?
Then God said:
- I'm Bach.
Really love your choice of tempi, discrete, nothing eccentric nor attention seeking, often a search for the intrinsic qualities of Bach's art, it is as if we are following you on your journey through a better world, as Edward Elgar so eloquently stated: "far removed from daily vulgar and sordid things". I also am impressed with the sensitive use of shadings and colors of the instrument at your disposal. Not a mean feat, probably one of the most underrated difficulties of piano playing. Thanks for sharing your towering achievement.
Thank you, what wonderful words and lovely comment, these words truly resonate with me. Thank you for taking the time to listen and for your really inspiring words. All the best, Thomas
Tears are rolling down my cheeks listening to this marvel! No words can describe what I feel, or the immensity of your accomplishments, Mr. Schwan. Those who realize this will understand. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you for your incredible words, and I am truly happy that this interpretation resonates with you! I deeply appreciate you generous and affectionate words. All the best to you, with gratitude! Thomas
Thanks to Bach for writings of universe sounds
Thanks to Thomas for taking that universe to me.
Thank you for your beautiful words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas
I have Asperger's syndrome, so I can't dream, but I'm good at math. Your perfect skill makes me relive my youth when I listened WTK and tried to calculate the distant future. And what I failed to calculate, the gypsies conjured me (joke). Thank you, Thomas.
Thank you so much for listening, and for your wonderful words! I am happy you are enjoying these interpretations! All the best, with blessings, Thomas
Wow - I have been listening to the WTC for 30+ years -- all sorts of interpretations. This one is about the music and not about the pianist - that is what I like about it. At the same time, Mr. Schawn's style (balanced, contained, expressive, precise) comes through very clearly. Fantastic - bravissimo! And please come back to the Boston area to perform! I missed you this March.
Thank you for such incredible words! I am humbled! And yes I hope to be back in Boston as soon as possible! All the very best to you, Thomas
ruclips.net/video/6ZjN0e4QL6U/видео.htmlsi=wUCpx_jiN09y-2bL
Closest to what I think, and feel JSB thought and felt, when he wrote the pieces. There is nothing I can say that wouldn't be inadequate. Thank you for this; it's divine
Thank you wholeheartedly, what a wonderful comment! I am so happy that you like my interpretation. All the best to you!! Thomas
J éprouve la même émotion, devant un tel artiste. Bach doit penser comme lui
@@blondellemarie-jeanne3845 Thank you for such a wonderful comment, I am really happy that this interpretation resonates with you. All the best, Thomas
Dear Mr. Schwan,
I am contacting you because your interpretations have been with me for months or even years. I am a student of the classical accordion (a different instrument, I know) and have been studying Bach's works for a long time, mainly piano interpretations of course. After looking through various interpreters (some of them with high-ranking names), I always return to your interpretations and feel “at home”. My music teacher told me that I should tell you about it - I'm sure you would be delighted. I am currently particularly enthusiastic about your profound way of playing the F sharp major fugue, where you sensitively work out all the subtleties of the polyphony despite the unusually slow tempo - for me an absolute masterpiece. Your influence will stay with me for the rest of my life, not only when I want to play Bach's works (and especially those of the WTC) on my instrument. Your recordings of WTC 1 and 2 accompany me every day and delight me every time anew. Not least because I always return to them when I have heard other interpretations. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you all the best. It would be a dream come true for me if you ever played a concert in Europe (especially the WTC). Until then, I will continue to dream with your recordings. Thank you very much! Best regards from Munich, Andreas
Dear Andreas, I am deeply grateful for your message, and yes, truly delighted by your words. To know that someone feels "at home" listening to my interpretations is, to me, the highest honor and the greatest accomplishment I can imagine as an artist. So, thank you wholeheartedly for taking the time to write these words to me! Definitely some of the most precious words I have ever received, and a great gift in this moment. I wish you the very best from the bottom of my heart, and would love one day to hear some Bach performed by you on the accordion. All to the best to you! Gratefully, Thomas
Thomas your performance gives lots of joy and comfort. Thanks again.
I am deeply happy to hear that! Thank you so much, and all the best to you, with blessings! Thomas
I'm hearing harmonies I've never heard before! You are indeed extraordinary!!
Thank you, I feel really honored by your words. All the best to you. Thomas
Astonishing!!!!!!!
I feel like getting a piano again. Fabelhaft
@@sunnyland3952 Great! Thank you for your kind words.
Thomas, fantastic work! Playing the whole book is an incredible achievement. Live, by memory, wonderful!
Magnificent. As they say in French: "Quelle justesse." From beginning to end. Mellifluous, perfectly articulated. Bach would have been proud. Thomas Schwan deserves a stage which would do justice to his talent and the depth of his undertanding of Bach. Complimenti, una grandissima interpretazione (e ne conosco la maggior parte).
Nuovamente, grazie davvero per queste splendide parole! Sono onoratissimo! Un caro saluto, Thomas
👍👍👍👌👌👌🫀
Bach: the sacrament of Music,
Complete authenticity
and occasional Ecstasy
Thank you Thomas Schwan
Thank you so much for listening and for your wonderful words! All the best to you! Thomas
Avec Thomas Schwan j'ai redécouvert complétement le Clavier bien tempéré, une interprétation sereine et chantante (clarté des voix, du discours). Aucune emphase ou effet inutile. Je ressens une grande paix intérieure après l'écoute de chaque P et F. Mr Schwan est un grand musicien. Il nous fait oublier la difficulté technique d'une telle oeuvre, jouée par coeur de surcroit. Du grand BACH, dans l'intimité de l' âme. XB en Bretagne
Dear Nadine, thank you for listening and for sending me these wonderful words; I was deeply moved when you mentioned that you felt a sense of inner peace listening to this interpretation. This makes me truly happy, beyond what I can say in words! Thank you, and I wish you and your family and wonderful and joyful Christmas! All the best, Thomas
*MAGNIFICA ¹INTERPRETACIÓN!!!!*
*GREETINGS FROM MÉXICO*
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤗🤗🤗🤜🤛🇲🇽🌎🇲🇽🥖🛸🗻🥖🛸👀🖖👽✌👁👁🙏🙏🙏
@@pvmuskosming Grazie di cuore! Un abbraccio! Thomas
A million times amazing how each voice comes in like a character in a play and after saying what it has to say disappears letting the next voice to come in. A M A Z I N G!!!!!!!!! I just cannot stop hearing to this music and magic playing!!!
Thank you so much, dear Paul! Always honored by your words! All the very best, Thomas
I mean this is kind of revelatory. I had never heard Bach played this way. This is definitely going to inspire my own Bach from now on!
Thank you for these kind words, and for listening! I feel truly happy that you find this inspiring on a personal level!! Thank you so much, all the best to you, Thomas
Thank you. To play Bach well, you have to be able to hear it. You can definitely hear it.
Thank you, all the best! Thomas
Thomas Schwan and Bach ---THANK YOU
Thank you so much! All the best to you! Thomas
JSB, math and magic combined to music. But I’m biased, I grown up with this music as my father played pipe organ in churches and concerts. I was singing in choirs. Somehow that planted JSB’s music deep in my synapses for decades to stay. This great presentation was a nice refresher.
Thank you for listening and you kind words! All the best! Thomas
When I was a junior high kid, I first heard Bach's Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 played by Wanda Landowska on 45 rpm records. This was the beginning of my lifelong love of Bach's compositions. I was interested that Bach said ""The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." Watching and listening to you play, my soul was honestly refreshed. Though I was all alone I couldn't help making appreciative comments out loud as I the music spoke to me in a way it never had before. Thank you very much for the best rendering of the WTC I've ever heard!
Thank you so much for listening, and for such kind words! I am truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation. And yes, that is a wonderful quote from Bach; it really puts the art of music in the only right perspective, and cuts at its root any temptation of "ego". All the best to you! Thomas
This performance is historical!! To be able to express the intense emotions in each piece with such authenticity, all while being utterly true to the form and style of the baroque era, a grand feat indeed. Some were faster than I'm used to, some were slower, but overall every tempo decision felt justified within the consistency of the interpretation and the style of the period. It was a great joy to listen to these tunes, which I've been so familiar with, with fresh ears, almost as if for the first time. Not only that, but to perform the entire book live and not so much as making a mistake (that I could notice, anyway), with no editing or tricks whatsoever, it's astonishing! The only problem was the audience, there wasn't nearly as much attendance as there should have been. I would have given anything to be in this audience and yet I'm so grateful to have this performance on RUclips so I can listen to it as many times as I want.
Not to mention you did the same thing for book 2, which is immeasurably more complex. I'm so glad I got to listen to that one in its entirety for the first time played by your blessed hands. It has since become my standard to get to know book 2, and I'm probably ditching the recordings I was used to for book 1 in favor of this one as well. Bless you, Thomas, and I wish you a fulfilling and long life.
@@andredelacerdasantos1283 Thank you for your incredible words, I am truly humbled - and happy that these interpretations are meaningful you! Also, it is a great honor for me to know that your first encounter with Book 2 has been through this interpretation. On my part it is a very peculiar feeling, indeed, and a great sense of responsibility. Once more, thank you wholeheartedly for your warm words - they mean a lot to me. All the best to you, with blessings!! Thomas
For his encore he played Book 2
Ca fait au moins 10 fois que j'écoute cette vidéo, et toujours le même plaisir ! Cet enregistrement est exceptionnel ! Merci beaucoup.
Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! I am happy you are enjoying this interpretation! All the best to you, Thomas
MAESTRO, ma davvero ha eseguito TUTTO il WTK in un solo concerto? È una impresa ai limiti dell'umano. Mi sembra persino stupido complimentarmi con LEI. Grazie davvero
Grazie a lei per le sue gentilissime parole e per l'ascolto! Un caro saluto! Thomas
I've been listening different interpretations from the WTC for a decade or so and yours figures amongst the greatest I've ever heard. You showed a lot of respect for Bach also you're very talented. You do have a brilliant future ahead. Congratulations!
Thank you for these kind words, all my best wishes. Thomas
Magnífica interpretación
Felicitaciones.
@@cristinaflorit4795 Thank you!!
Non mi sono accorto che il Suo concerto comprendeva soltanto (!!) il 1° Libro. Ma la questione non cambia di molto. Ancora grazie Maestro
Nuovamente, grazie a lei per le bellissime parole. Thomas
A confession - although enjoying listening to a wide range of classical music for years, I have struggled with with getting to grips with J S Bach. Just hearing the first four has been like finally switching on the connection to my mind and heart. This is helping me to move on from concluding that truly appreciating his greatest work would remain out of reach for me. A truly exceptional two hours of live musicianship recorded for people to listen to and engage with deeply. Thank you.
I am truly happy to hear this. Thank you for your generous and wonderful words, and for listening! All the best to you, with blessings, Thomas
La musica più bella che sia mai stata scritta e suonata
Senza dubbio!
A historical monument, a performance that needs to be etched forever. Flawless. Bravo. This deserves more views! Let your music shine eternally.
Hey, thank you!!! Happy new year! Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan Happy New Year to you too! Thank you!
What else does one need...WTC Book I or II and an expert, elegant, thoughtful pianist... I love the whole thing. What an achievement. Bravo!
Thank you wholeheartedly for listening and for such kind words! All my best to you! Thomas
My life is so much better after listening to this! Thank you.
Dear Nicholas, what joy you give me with these words! This is the greatest reward for any artist. Thank you so much, all the best to you!! Thomas
Bach my love ❤️❤️ the greatest composer of all time ❤️❤️
I’m truly humbled. Not many will understand how much effort it takes to learn just 1 prelude and fugue and play it well, let alone play the entire WTC in one sitting to a life audience. Even during this tough times we are facing there are still people working very hard to provide us this gems. Isn’t it also beautiful the fact he sort of resembles Jesus Christ? I can feel the suffering but also the beauty emanating from his body, seems to embody the true Christian spirit.
What an incredible comment; it is me who is humbled, of course! If there is any possibility I could be the "useless servant" from Luke 17, through music making and in the humblest possible way, that would be an extraordinary and undeserved honor. All the best to you and thank you again for your words, Thomas
We don't know what Jesus looked like.
No. 22 in B flat minor BWV 867 is pure metaphysics. Sublime playing.
Thank you for such kind words, it's so nice to receive this comment on Christmas Day. Glory be to God!
It sounds like Bach reincarnated. Tones of eternity. Thank you so much for this. No words can express my gratitude - listening to this clear, clean, pure interpretation of the Wohltemperierte Klavier. No, it is not an interpretation, it is the composition itself, it is the origin. Spent hours with it, yesterday and today. Blessings to you.
Thank you wholeheartedly for these incredible words. I am truly humbled and happy that you are finding joy in these interpretations! All the best to you, with blessings and gratitude, Thomas
Exactly said: "No, it is not an interpretation, it is the composition itself, it is the origin". I've already spent over nine months with "it" and I don't think I'll stop spending time with this rendering of Bach's music.
It must be emphasized again and again: "clear, clean, pure interpretation of the Wohltemperierte Klavier". These words say everything that can be said about Thomas Schwan's performance of Bach's music and are the essence of all comments about his playing.
@MrVincent537 Dear Paul, thank you once more, as always, for your incredible words! Talk soon! All the best, Thomas
Friends gathered. Thanks to you.
Thank you for listening, all the best! Thomas
EXCELENT INTERPRETATION! It's difficult to find one so good! Congrats Thomas, your are a fantastic pianist! BRAVO!!!
Thank you for your wonderful words! I truly appreciate! All the very best to you, with blessings! Thomas
JS BACH is our life in all of its facilities, failures and achievements. Thomas Schwan transmits the WTC as it is ment to be, very very authentic!
Thank you wholeheartedly for your beautiful words and for listening! All the best to you! Thomas
Was mesmerized throughout. SUPERB dynamics. A tour de force. You are AMAZING. I’ve never heard Bach’s WTC Books 1 and 2 played better by anyone. 👏👏👏👏👏 That must’ve taken a lot out of you.
Dearest Jose, thank you once more for your incredibly kind words and your amazing generosity!! Yes, this project, as you say, has definitely required an incredible investment of mental, emotional, and spiritual energies on my part... I still feel somewhat drained and look forward to get some rest during the Christmas period. I also wish you a wonderful holiday season! Thank you again wholeheartedly, God bless you!! Thomas
It all sounds amazing musically but I have to mention the 22nd Prelude 1:42:28 and Fuga 1:45:54 and also as I'm listening to the next two right now they are all out of this world. For the first time in my life I hear Bach in such a subtle pianississimo that it sounds in my soul like the intense whispering of prayer. The truth is that Bach was the greatest romantic composer.
Dear Paul, thank you so much for this great comment, too! I am happy you mention the B flat minor: yes, uncanny and otherworldly music. I am glad that my humble interpretation managed to be meaningful to you!
Please, release a CD or a lossless audio album with all these wonderful interpretation. You should really go to a studio and record it all and release it as a lossless album. I would surelly buy it.
Thank you for listening and your kind words, I hope this will happen as soon as possible! All the best to you! Thomas
Je le pense aussi.
Ich kenne mindestens 10 Aufnahmen des WTC…aber die hier gehört mit zu den Schönsten, Besten, die ich je gehört habe… Danke.
Thank you for your wonderful words, I feel truly humbled. All the best, with gratitude, and Merry Christmas! Thomas
Beautiful performance and monumental achievement. More people should know about this and about you.
Thank you for such kind words!! All my best, Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan You're very welcome. I'm listening to more of your recordings now, and have subscribed to your channel.
Just discovering Thomas now and hearing this for the first time. After listening I went looking on iTunes hoping to find a recording! I agree with the accolades in the previous comments - especially MrVincent537 - Thomas, this rendering of Bach's WTC is "breathgiving"! I wonder if you might ever come to the University of Vermont Lane Series? I am (in the 1970's) a performance major and have spent a lot of time with the WTC. You make me want to go back and practice! This performance is exquisite - an amazing combination of delicacy and power flawlessly executed. I have to say ... I am in awe.
Dear Mark, thank you wholeheartedly for your wonderful words, and for listening! I hope I'll have a chance to visit Vermont in the future! Thank you again, with blessings, Thomas
It's very very difficult to memorize entire WTC , particularly fugues are very difficult to memorize because of the sophisticated contrapunctual nature!!!!!
U have a soul of bach !!!!!!
God bless !!!!!
JV.SURIYAN
Dated (24.4.2023)🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉.
Thank you for your wonderful words and for listening! All the best and God Bless! Thomas
WTC I and II is a towering peak of Western Civilisation.
Anyone who scales these heights, as Thomas has, is in fine company.
My guess is that fewer people have done this than climbed Mt. Everest.
Mr. Symons - thank you for such nice comment! :) All the best! Thomas
Found Thomas’s video as I was searching for help on playing the C minor prelude and Fugue. I got captivated and listened the full recital in one go . Truly inspiring from a purely technical point , Thomas ‘s flawless and brutally honest interpretation elevates the spirit a little closer to the divine in the way one can only imagine was Bach’s lifelong and tireless work.
Thank you wholeheartedly, what an incredible comment - I am humbled. All the best to you, with blessings! Thomas
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤜🤛🙏🙏🙏🇲🇽🌎🇲🇽👀🤗🤗🤗
I really like your interpretation and playing of Bach. You have a rare gift in that you keep a perfect tempo and have a very delicate interpretation of the subtle nuances.
I trawl RUclips to find interpreters of Bach whom I like to listen to and you are amongst the top few!
Thank you so much, Mike, for your wonderful words, and it makes me happy to know that you enjoy my interpretation!
So relieved that you're playing the BWV 869 prelude at the right tempo. Played slowly, a mysterious-majestic universe of harmonies emerges.
Thank you so much! I am happy that kind of message came through effectively. Richter's rather slow pace in his 1970 recording was definitely the inspiration for the tempo in the B minor Prelude - although I believe I may have taken an even slower one...
@@ThomasSchwan Youri Egorov played it even more slowly, I believe. But especially during your live performance, this majestic prelude served a dramatic preparation for the fireworks you put into its fuga, the closing piece of WTC 1. Well set, bravo.
Thank you! Didn't know that Egorov performance, thank you for sharing. All the best! Thomas
How you breathfully dynamically intertwine the voices in Bach's fugues, no one can to this day. I found myself at the end of this incredible over two hours of Bach music with my mouth wide open, having not noticed it the entire time I watched and heard this mesmerizing rendition of Bach's music.
Dear Paul, I am so happy you also listened to Book 1! And again, I feel tremendously grateful for your generous words!
Bach once said, "I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well". These perfomances of WTC I-II show like no other that he was right :) it would be great to hear The Art of Fugue and ricercari from the Musical Offering played to such perfection.
Thank you for your truly wonderful words! Indeed, I am planning to perform these works not too far in the future. All the best! Thomas
Wonderful! Reminiscent of Richter's approach to the WTC. As a young boy, I heard him live in Salzburg in the early '70s playing the WTC.
I didn't move an inch, was mesmerized...It took 50 years before another pianist could transport me to that spiritual dimension again. And then I found you... ❤❤🙏🙏
Thank you for listening and for your wonderful words - I am truly happy that you hear a connection to Richter, whose recordings I studied very deeply. Among all Bach interpreters, perhaps the one I still feel a strongest personal connection to. Thank you again for your words, all the best! Thomas
The recording I always find myself going back to. Just beautiful.
Thank you for your wonderful words, I am truly happy that this interpretation resonates with you! With gratitude, Thomas
This is beautiful soul music. The nuance and expression is medicine beyond descriptions.
Thank you for writing this - what a wonderful comment! Whenever this spiritual aspect is mentioned, I feel deeply happy. All the best! Thomas
I have no idea how you do this, but I am thrilled and immensely grateful that you do. A shimmering manifestation of the transcendent during these dark times.
Thank you for such kind words. What a powerful insight... Yes, I do feel the same, we are living in unbelievably dark times.
@@ThomasSchwan You are Genius! How is it possible, first music and after fingers? Magic....
Dark time had started since atomic blasting by USA of two innocent Japan cities including Churchill's speech about a Cold war and iron curtain .... Double Dark Diabolic Demon became as Pentagon and NATO-Nazi
@@illusionyx907 Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words! I am just a humble craftsman :) Very happy to know that you find this interpretation meaningful, and that my efforts paid off. All the best to you! Thomas
@illusiONYX yes definitely; and in general the growing interference of evil technology in all aspects of our lives, ultimately geared toward total control (which of course will never happen). World wars, the bombing of Japan, Nazi-Communist genocides, and then the Second Vatican Council, CIA-managed counterculture and the spread of drugs, Gladio, neoliberal globalization after 1989, 9/11 and Iraq, shock economy, and the ultimate dream of establishing a global Bio Security State (which also, fortunately, will never happen). As the action of evil in the world is more and more evident in our dark age, we are more and more called to turn on - each of us individually, in whichever way we are called to - a little Light.
MAESTRO,. JSB vive nella sua mente, nella sua anima. Lei è stato scelto da LUI
Grazie per queste gentilissime parole e per l'ascolto, un caro saluto! Thomas
A wonderful interpretation of WTC Bach, one of the best I've ever heard!
Thank you sir!
He is playing with his. Soul ❤❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍🎼🎼🎼
Thank you so much! All the best! Thomas
i wish to someday play Bach this well! i am obsessed with the WTC I (still yet to be able to listen to WTC II in whole)
truly a feat of memory and musicality what you have accomplished here, to play the whole compendium in one sitting! and to be able to to play such complex counterpoint like the C-sharp minor (4) and D-sharp minor (8) fugues is beyond words.
bravo!!
Thank you for listening and for your wonderful words! I am grateful and humbled - all the best to you, with blessings! Thomas
The whole WTC is a masterwork. Especially the fugues in C Sharp Minor and D Sharp Minor always stand out to me and leave me speechless. Thank you, Thomas for your deep and moving performance.
Dear Philipp, thank you for your kind words and for listening! I am truly happy that you enjoy this interpretation. And yes, I also dearly love the C sharp minor and D sharp minor fugues; two sublime moments of prayer and introspection. Again, thank you for your kind words, and I wish you a wonderful Christmas! Thomas
The C sharp minor fugue is my favorite piece of classical music hands down, and Thomas you played it beautifully and with power.
@@mikemossey Thank you, Michael, for listening and for your kind words! I am truly happy that you enjoyed the interpretation of the C sharp minor fugue, also one of my very favorite works ever! I wish you and your family a Happy New Year!! Thomas
@@ThomasSchwan You're welcome. I saw on your website that you have RUclips performances of many other pieces so I look forward to discovering those.
The accents! The breath! This playing pleases me so much.
Thank you for your kind words! All the best to you! Thomas
What a great discovery this is. You conjure, extract from thin air the logic and density of the counterpoint. The control and pace of the narrative is beautiful. Hearing the WTC Bk 1 in its entirety is such a generous feat of soul. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for listening and for such kind words! Thank you also for mentioning my humble efforts in bringing out the counterpoint, it is something I have put a lot of work in - and it is very fulfilling to know that it resonates with other listeners... Thank you again, all the best! Thomas
Nem lehet elégszer hangsúlyozni és csodálni Thomas Schwann ízlését és rendkívüli lelkivilagat meg a gyönyörű hangzásat!!
Thank you, what a wonderful comment, I feel truly honored. My best wishes! Thomas
Danke für Ihren wunderbaren Bach, die Transparenz der Stimmen, den natürlichen Fluss der Musik!!!
Thank you so much for listening and for such kind words! I'm happy you like my interpretation. All the best, Thomas
What I like most is that his playing has CHARM.
Thank you!!
Seeing that you are watching, I mention that in Fugue 2, I play semistaccato on the quavers and legato on the semiquavers. But your staccato version is lovely too. Quavers are 8th notes and semiquavers are 16th notes.
Thank you for your note - yes, I believe that my interpretation at the time was somewhere in between, with most 16th notes staccato but some of them legato (such as at the end of the subject)...
@@ThomasSchwan yes
Oh my God - play Thomas, play - I'm touched.
Transfixed. Often come to hear one or another BWV in particular and then can’t stop listening beyond. Never enough superlatives for Bach after listening to this.
Thank you so much, I am truly happy you are enjoying this interpretation. All the best! Thomas
Remarkable interpretation of Bach's indeed, Mr. Schwan could brilliantly touch the core of the great master's music, which is considered something unique....Thank you Mr, Shwan.
Just a little remark : the number of the audience might seem few, it's not because of the performer, but those few attendants are the real true appreciatives of Bach's, since it's not so many who could tolerate listening to one composer more than two hours, unless they are true sincere lovers.
Thank you for your wonderful words! I am happy you are enjoying this interpretation! As for the attendance, I believe these were just modestly advertised events ... (I have no publicity apparatus behind my back...) All the best! Thomas
Fugue no 4 has always been so grand and so complicated and so so beautiful - he shows it to be on the level of the d minor chaconne
Thank you for listening, all the best! Thomas
WOW no wonder this guy won first prize in a globabl Bach competition - there's 'professional musicians' out there coming up with their own rhythms missing the whole point of Bach and 'professional armchair listeners' saying 'you are welcome to your interpretation of Bach' but Bach wrote something and Thomas Schwan is playing it! And it is wonderful to have all this together...really showcases some pieces I can't wait to go dig out and learn now!!
Après avoir écouté toute ma vie Edwin Fischer, Sviatoslav Richter et Samuil Feinberg jouer cette oeuvre, je ne pensais pas qu’un jeune pianiste pût jamais faire aussi bien, sinon mieux. Un immense Bravo !!!
Merci beaucoup - thank you so much for such kind words!! All the best to you! Thomas
I love your Bach's Well-Tempered Blavier.
Thank you! All the best to you! Thomas
Beautiful, ethereal, every voice can be heard clearly and the tempos are masterfully managed. Papa Bach would be proud of your work. Such warmth of expression your touch imparts.
Thank you for such kind words, and for listening. All the best! Thomas
Thank you for posting. Your tempo keeps the listener grounded while the mind wanders. You are playing your left hand so soft, like Horowitz! I subscribed because I will follow your career!
Thank you for listening and for your truly kind words! All the best, with blessings! Thomas