I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks that Dutton sounds abnormally badass in this video. Man, this is so amazing, some of the greatest musicians in the world playing one of the greatest works ever written. When I listen to this it really makes it hard for me to decide whether I want to compose or play for a living. I can either strive to write music this great, or I can strive to be able to play music as well as they can. Tough choice
The Art of Fugue was one of the best polyphony masterpieces of the mature and departing philosopher Bach! Classical version is very beautiful but the arrangement for string quartet makes the work fresh, really modern and dynamic. I really enjoy listening The Art of Fugue and WTC every day.
Omg!!! I've seen that violist live before! He was part of another quartet group that played Beethovens Late String Quartets in London Ontario! What a legend 👏 🙌 💙 ❤️ 🙏 👌
Let me break down a fugue, as some of our commentators don't know what it is: Subject - melody Countersubject - harmony Exposition - subject repeats 4x (in this fugue, a4; every voice has melody 1x, alternating I and V, real), with fortspinnung, motor rhythm, imitation, bridge Interior - episodes of moduation, with statements of subject inserted (middle entry) + counter melody (the long notes in this case) End - final entry + coda + final structural cadence in I
Wow.......so much information! Thanks for your educated view on Bach's music. I agree-even if we don't like the performance, we must appreciate the skill and musicianship of these fantastic musicians. I have a lot to ponder right now. I really appreciate your side of the argument.
Un auténtico lujo de ejecución, felicitaciones a LA CASA DE LA MÚSICA, en Quito-Ecuador que en su acertada administración hace posible que la ciudad y el país acojan a músicos de esta calidad. Solamente siento que aunque siendo relativamente económico el valor de las entradas, para mi no es posible, Felicitaciones. Rocío,Quito-Ecuador
Interesting thought. I've said the same thing about my instrument, tuba, in a band--it isn't the first thing you notice, but if it is weak it will drag the group down, if it is good it will pull the group together.
@medpiano well just because it was in that style doesn't really mean it has to be specifically in that style. It's the 21ST CENTURY, were aloud to do things a little bit differently.
well the thing with classical music is that there can be heaps of interpretatons! That's what made it always so fresh. It would be boring if there is only one interpretation of The Art of Fugue. Different interpretations have different effects. I love this!
a little higher than usual coz they used 440 as their concert A. Normally Baroque pieces are played flatter (almost a tone flat). Surely you've known about this?
he would play it in a modern style. I don't think that they have a "gypsy" like tone. I think that they are used to playing in big halls, and that the acoustics they are playing in are rather dry. Maybe that's why, coupled with the fact that the recording is right next to them. What do you think? I know that Gil Shaham has the most wonderful tone, but, if you sit in the front row, even he scraches quite a bit, but it soars to the back of the hall as a beautiful sound. This Bach is great.
IMHO, fast tempo for this piece is suitable for listeners to catch up the main theme. I do think that this is a bit fast, but it doesnot make serious problem. compare this with ones played by Loeki Stardust recorder Quartet and Helmut Walcha...
@zombieSLAYERmalia oh, it is fucking hard true, but so awesome to play, after a couple week of practice on this song, i was enable to do it almost perfectly :D the hardest part is on the begining, at 0:32 sec you can hear it... there is a mini solo, but for a trumpet, its freaking high notes :D
@crawbvmk lmao opps it did'nt show up. But i was going to tell you that is fucking awesome. I play the trumpet and violin (yes, that IS a weird combo, but don't judge! lol) and that I can't imagine playing this song on the trumpet. INSANE lol
Baroque pieces were played, for the most part, in A=392 (G) for very early stuff, A=415(Ab) for the mid-to late baroque stuff, and A-430 (between Ab and A) for classical stuff like Mozart. This sounds like A-442.
Yes...I forgot that baroque pitch varied too. Thanks for the corrections! However, I believe people played baroque style on baroque instruments because of what their equipment allowed them to do. The instruments and bows back then allowed for a certain style, and that is what people played. Modern instruments and bows allowed for a broader, more "dig in" style, however, it also made playing in the baroque style much much harder. I am of the opinion that if Bach had modern instruments,
I know, and those goddamn modern instruments! Who do these arrogant SOBs think they are playing like it's the 21st century? Any reasonable person knows that Baroque music can't evolve past the 17th century! Savages!
what am i saying! in fact, watching this (and a few other similar acts) got me so disturbed that i decided to upload all the 22 contrapuncti, canons and fugues of this work. in a more than decent interpretation.
i like your second explanation but.. i really like the part where you say my intention is to piss you off after telling me to go get mad. i didn't call you stupid, i simply said you weren't helping the average music listener with your first explanation. if you got offended by that, the internet not be the best place for you. normally i'd apologize you were offended by my comment, but after carefully considering how you reacted i don't feel any desire to give you an apology.
It is okay. If the creation (not calling it an art yet) produced is for some purpose, or for some artificial reason, digging for some more profound things, then it might not be profound anymore. Just look at/enjoy it in a simple way. Arts' judges are all based on us -the human, and the same species who created it. What else can we say. Enjoy it.
So I'm not normal, huh? I don't blame you not apologizing since I've offended you, etown858. It's your choice. I wouldn't be so rash either on what I feel or what is the best place for me. We were both judgmental. I'll even apologize for my own response. Let's just enjoy the music, ok?
@moldyoreo I think you could simply argue that a group is only as good as its worst player. Because we are so accustomed to that person being the violist, we might be fooled into thinking that a group is only as good as its violist. But if you were to examine any unbalanced or sub-professional group you would find that a weak 2nd violinist or especially cellist is equally or more detrimental than a weak violist.
I'm all for interpretations, but each one must have a say of it's own. Each one must be of a different quality... Just playing it really fast without any musical work or enthusiasm isn't really worth much as an "interpretation" to my ears. I've listened to many different art of fugue interpretations, this one isn't of quality.
I've played in a string quartet w a strong violist and it's a joy
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks that Dutton sounds abnormally badass in this video. Man, this is so amazing, some of the greatest musicians in the world playing one of the greatest works ever written. When I listen to this it really makes it hard for me to decide whether I want to compose or play for a living. I can either strive to write music this great, or I can strive to be able to play music as well as they can. Tough choice
The Art of Fugue was one of the best polyphony masterpieces of the mature and departing philosopher Bach! Classical version is very beautiful but the arrangement for string quartet makes the work fresh, really modern and dynamic. I really enjoy listening The Art of Fugue and WTC every day.
it's even more amazing to think that 4 people can coordinate such musical complexities that typically requires just one pianist.
This performance is just incredible!...
That is one of the best heaven's inpirations of the great Bach.
This particular (double) Fugue always blows my mind when the main 'Art of Fugue' subject comes in over the new subject this fugue introduces.
Omg!!! I've seen that violist live before! He was part of another quartet group that played Beethovens Late String Quartets in London Ontario! What a legend 👏 🙌 💙 ❤️ 🙏 👌
Let me break down a fugue, as some of our commentators don't know what it is:
Subject - melody
Countersubject - harmony
Exposition - subject repeats 4x (in this fugue, a4; every voice has melody 1x, alternating I and V, real), with fortspinnung, motor rhythm, imitation, bridge
Interior - episodes of moduation, with statements of subject inserted (middle entry) + counter melody (the long notes in this case)
End - final entry + coda + final structural cadence in I
such an exciting piece!
please keep uploading!!!! the rest of the work
Wow.......so much information! Thanks for your educated view on Bach's music. I agree-even if we don't like the performance, we must appreciate the skill and musicianship of these fantastic musicians.
I have a lot to ponder right now. I really appreciate your side of the argument.
Un auténtico lujo de ejecución, felicitaciones a LA CASA DE LA MÚSICA, en Quito-Ecuador que en su acertada administración hace posible que la ciudad y el país acojan a músicos de esta calidad. Solamente siento que aunque siendo relativamente económico el valor de las entradas, para mi no es posible, Felicitaciones. Rocío,Quito-Ecuador
My favorite Contrapunctus!...Well, one of them...
Interesting thought. I've said the same thing about my instrument, tuba, in a band--it isn't the first thing you notice, but if it is weak it will drag the group down, if it is good it will pull the group together.
@medpiano well just because it was in that style doesn't really mean it has to be specifically in that style. It's the 21ST CENTURY, were aloud to do things a little bit differently.
My each day mantra: Bach's music is just perfect.
well the thing with classical music is that there can be heaps of interpretatons! That's what made it always so fresh. It would be boring if there is only one interpretation of The Art of Fugue. Different interpretations have different effects. I love this!
a little higher than usual coz they used 440 as their concert A. Normally Baroque pieces are played flatter (almost a tone flat). Surely you've known about this?
he would play it in a modern style.
I don't think that they have a "gypsy" like tone. I think that they are used to playing in big halls, and that the acoustics they are playing in are rather dry. Maybe that's why, coupled with the fact that the recording is right next to them. What do you think?
I know that Gil Shaham has the most wonderful tone, but, if you sit in the front row, even he scraches quite a bit, but it soars to the back of the hall as a beautiful sound. This Bach is great.
You're completely right.
wonderful. remember when A&E used to show stuff like this, instead of reality shows?
Who transcribed this? I can't seem to to find or buy the sheet music for this anywhere.
what 4 instruments are used in this?
Art of Fugue, Unfinished Fugue's ending:
i1105 . photobucket . com / albums / h352 / artoffugueend / artoffugue_ending . jpg
If you slow down the video to 0.75 it sounds right.
@anisometropie
Uh, don't you mean 18th century?
Well played -but it must be approaching closing time at the pub. Is it lads?
well, my cd(Art of Fugue by Emerson String Quartet) indicates that they played this piece in 2:14. they did played this fast.
I see no cables, so they are synchronized wirelessly. they should down some Mhz, it's too fast
IMHO, fast tempo for this piece is suitable for listeners to catch up the main theme. I do think that this is a bit fast, but it doesnot make serious problem. compare this with ones played by Loeki Stardust recorder Quartet and Helmut Walcha...
i've played this with my Trumpets... i had the first solo, and.. seriously it's fucking hard
The one to the right of the cellist with the cloth on his instrument.
Beautiful. Wow, remember when A&E used to show stuff like this, instead of reality shows?
@zombieSLAYERmalia oh, it is fucking hard true, but so awesome to play, after a couple week of practice on this song, i was enable to do it almost perfectly :D the hardest part is on the begining, at 0:32 sec you can hear it... there is a mini solo, but for a trumpet, its freaking high notes :D
i looooove 0:46
@Goncalo1221
No quartet *actually* play in tune. Emerson come as close as it gets.
Everything about the scenery is so 2000's
Well, it's not 1741 any more ...
@crawbvmk lmao opps it did'nt show up. But i was going to tell you that is fucking awesome. I play the trumpet and violin (yes, that IS a weird combo, but don't judge! lol) and that I can't imagine playing this song on the trumpet. INSANE lol
Baroque pieces were played, for the most part, in A=392 (G) for very early stuff, A=415(Ab) for the mid-to late baroque stuff, and A-430 (between Ab and A) for classical stuff like Mozart.
This sounds like A-442.
Larry Dutton for President!
viola
A slower tempo would make it much better. But then maybe they trying to make it to the next commercial on A&E maybe?
Yes...I forgot that baroque pitch varied too. Thanks for the corrections!
However, I believe people played baroque style on baroque instruments because of what their equipment allowed them to do. The instruments and bows back then allowed for a certain style, and that is what people played.
Modern instruments and bows allowed for a broader, more "dig in" style, however, it also made playing in the baroque style much much harder. I am of the opinion that if Bach had modern instruments,
@zombieSLAYERmalia ?? XD
ah ah!
that violist better play!!!
LOL! Exactly! "A&E" couldn't drop the "A" because the "E" channel was already taken. ;)
I know, and those goddamn modern instruments! Who do these arrogant SOBs think they are playing like it's the 21st century? Any reasonable person knows that Baroque music can't evolve past the 17th century! Savages!
what am i saying! in fact, watching this (and a few other similar acts) got me so disturbed that i decided to upload all the 22 contrapuncti, canons and fugues of this work. in a more than decent interpretation.
i like your second explanation but..
i really like the part where you say my intention is to piss you off after telling me to go get mad. i didn't call you stupid, i simply said you weren't helping the average music listener with your first explanation. if you got offended by that, the internet not be the best place for you. normally i'd apologize you were offended by my comment, but after carefully considering how you reacted i don't feel any desire to give you an apology.
It is okay. If the creation (not calling it an art yet) produced is for some purpose, or for some artificial reason, digging for some more profound things, then it might not be profound anymore. Just look at/enjoy it in a simple way.
Arts' judges are all based on us -the human, and the same species who created it. What else can we say.
Enjoy it.
So I'm not normal, huh? I don't blame you not apologizing since I've offended you, etown858. It's your choice. I wouldn't be so rash either on what I feel or what is the best place for me. We were both judgmental. I'll even apologize for my own response. Let's just enjoy the music, ok?
@crawbvmk
i hate how some string players just throw as many vibratos as they can to every piece of music, even if it wasn´t meant to be
I really think Dutton is the best viola player on the planet.
If they did, it's a pity, cause they can't.
@medpiano lol.
@moldyoreo I think you could simply argue that a group is only as good as its worst player. Because we are so accustomed to that person being the violist, we might be fooled into thinking that a group is only as good as its violist. But if you were to examine any unbalanced or sub-professional group you would find that a weak 2nd violinist or especially cellist is equally or more detrimental than a weak violist.
@moldyoreo I don't think that's a good premise, they all have individual melodies.
this fails to explain what a fugue is to most people since you use only the technical language.
After every piece, Bach initialed the letters for "To God be the glory"--hardly the closing penstrokes of a bored man.
Too fast! It's greater more slowly
Haha, at 0:57-1:05 it seems as if the cameraman can't figure out who's playing the subject
I'm all for interpretations, but each one must have a say of it's own. Each one must be of a different quality... Just playing it really fast without any musical work or enthusiasm isn't really worth much as an "interpretation" to my ears. I've listened to many different art of fugue interpretations, this one isn't of quality.
lol
They're good but Shanghai Quartet is better
27 persons hate Bach's work...
I always have to look away when I listen to this. I can't stand the faces they make. It's so distracting.