Bach Partita No. 2 "Allemande" - Mark O'Connor improvises on violin at Emory University

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Mark O'Connor - Solo Violin
Bach Partita No. 2
"Allemande" arranged by O'Connor
Both repeats are improvised
Mark O'Connor improvises on Bach's "Partita No. 2"
Filmed live at Emory University's Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, September 9th, 2023
Perhaps the most telling indicator in the controversy of how to properly interpret Bach is the simple yet perhaps forbidding “repeat sign.” It stands to reason that the very existence of repeat signs - rather than an expanded form including developed treatment of the music already presented by the composer himself - suggests that the performer was expected to vary the music the second time around. This practice has been handed down in the American tradition of performing music from this same time period - American fiddle tunes. It stands to reason that Baroque era performers in America and Europe alike were expected to exhibit their creativity and theoretical knowledge during the repeats of the composed music. Isn’t it interesting and indeed wonderful that it is the American fiddlers who may have more faithfully perpetuated this aspect of what Bach himself intended!
"I heard O’Connor and his wife Maggie at the Lockenhaus Festival on a sweltering night in July 2015 on a program called “Appalachian Waltz.” They chatted about their teaching method and recordings and spun out ten cuts from their brand-new CD until the normally restrained Lockenhaus audience was on the verge of dancing in the aisles. One of Mark O’Connor’s solos that night was the Allemande from Bach’s Partita No. 2; his playing was closer to work done by the most forward-thinking of the original-instrument crowd. The other acts on the bill were the Kelemen and Van Kuijk quartets-two of the world’s best-playing classical fare. The message to parents was clear: it’s okay to let your children grow up to be fiddlers." -Strings Magazine
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Bookings for
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[@RUNNOFT71]

Incredible, as always. Mark is a true inspiration.

[@SeattleUke]

What a gorgeous tone. I was skeptical at first that Mark could hold his own with all the other great classical players but this is a whole new level.

[@axeman2638]

Well that's a surprise, even more versatile that I had thought.
Brilliant.

[@chilblain1]

Why doesn’t the video start at the beginning - before you start playing as opposed to mid-note? Please remedy.
Amazing of course, you’re a timeless master!