Mark O'Connor Caprice No. 1

[ckies]

I think mentioning this as being in the same category as Locatelli and Paganini is a big mistake.

[raul20095]

He makes it looks easy!

[justaburg]

My school's orchestra won a contest and now Mark O'Connor is going to play in a concert with us.Such an honor.

[HapTrap99]

@justaburg at abilene? If so then thats awesome, my schools in the contest too.

[Ayo1594]

Dear Mark,

I love everything you do.

The BYSO looks forward to playing with you this year.

Sincerely,

Lesser divine fiddler.

[JonetaDonsa]

Best place to find Asian women  busizz4me.info

[ericnotthefish]

Nigel Kennedy, in his autobiography, said Mark O Connor was the only folk fiddler he really respected. There are lots of others I respect, but then I am not Kennedy, and you can see his point.

[smuffjules]

@ericnotthefish yeah..I doubt that Nigel had heard many fiddlers of the new breed...Stuart Duncan, Andy Leftwich, Luke Bulla, Casey Driessen, Michael Cleveland, Shad Cobb, Aubrey Haynie, Larry Franklin..etc.etc.. He;s probably thinking of the scratchy old timers of yesteryear

[KillYourTVselfBeU]

Mark O'C, rocks the fiddle, i've seen him live

[nyappykid777]

I saw him in person. :)

[Alphaplz]

Igudesman is better!!!

[Feignabsolution]

It's almost Locatellian in the quick sections.

[Feignabsolution]

Now these should be added to the standard.

[dorian411]

Superb. How does one evaluate a virtuoso violin player who can play it all, and in addition truly plays guitar bteer than most. Thanks for the clip.

[brotherbrubru]

The Paganini of our generation.

[crankycactus]

agreed... they both use(d) the coolest sounding hybrid arpeggios...in my opinion

[adamdegraff]

I had heard this many times before, but never had seen Mark perform it.  Just fantastic! His technique is so fluid and effortless. Gorgeous playing!!!

[bavlara]

beautiful video. Beautiful playing. Bravo

[jiffer1785]

woo, that made my fingers hurt just watching.....

[djdmviolin]

muy bien!

[tman916x]

sweet jethus this guy is amazing!

[rosesredvioletsblue]

Marvelous! thank you~

[leonardocello]

It's impressive what he does without going out of the 1st position. And in other songs I've seen that as well.

[stevesprinceofsteaks]

I met Mark in the 80's He is very tall and has huge hands. He was a contest fiddler back then under Benny Thommason s wing. Has become just unbelievable. And he is only in his 40's,. No telling where his career will take him that he hasn't already been.

[mattzart]

he plays half of this in 3rd-4th position from what i can tell.

[evrythngtkn]

:D

i'm in the Las Vegas Academy orchestra and we totally got accepted into the midwest clinic, our audition must've been pretty stellar cause mark o'connor is writing a piece for us in which he's the solo violinist :D

[McLeod54]

LOL scooter

[ScooterNerd]

I think you guys are confusing him with Larry Paganini of Nashville fame...he was originally born to gypsies but was sold to Doc Watson later.

[crawfordviolin]

I'm so jealous

[bobthwart]

This is amazing unfortunately a true artist realizes his environment that he lives and Marc is obviously trying to impress his European counterparts.

[StephaneGrappelli]

Bob,

I am European all I can say is that you're full of shit

[Gagarin235]

I could'nt agree more !

[IncorruptibleTruth]

3:06 on is harder than SHIT!!!!!!!!!

[UrosR]

Sounds AWESOME though!!!!!!

[musik102]

Re: Paganini - like Mark O'Connor - was very influenced by folk music. He, Paganini, undoubtedly heard a lot of gypsy fiddlers and drew on their playing and compositions.

[sakurakiss12]

omg, i'm sooo excited! mark o'connor is coming to my school tomorrow to perform with us and give us a clinic!!!! yay

[violinGeEkz]

i had a workshop with mark oconnor in nashville one year. if he makes you do improv its really cool if he turns it into something else

[sakurakiss12]

he wasn't a jerk, he was actually really nice

[IncorruptibleTruth]

maybe he just didn't like you. that doesn't mean he's a jerk. it simply means he didn't like you. have you ever thought about looking at yourself to see if you may have a problem. to me, there's an obvious problem with you. you took the time to write a negative on a public message board. there must be something wired wrong in your brain just from that.

[wieniate]

Where do I find the sheetmusic for this??????

[clemenz1820]

what......a.......virtuosity!!­!!!

[IncognitoGuy]

I really wish there were some recordings of him playing classical music. Some Tchaikovsky or Sarasate would be really interesting, coming from O'Connor.

[rockin982]

For those comparing to Itazhak Perlman, you do realize that this is Mark O'Connor Caprice #1, as opposed to Pagannini's Caprice #1. Piece was composed by Mark O'Connor.

That said, he is clearly a virtuoso violinist.

[falconfira]

different interpetation than Itazhak Perlman (however his name is spelled.) That said I like it.

If I ever find my cd of it I will upload them all.

[Violinfanatic]

this Mark O Connor Caprice No. 1. He composed it. So, I think his interpretation is the most accurate there is.

[lay251]

isn't it paganini's?

[Violinfanatic]

Nope, type in Paganini Solo Violin Caprice No. 1 in youtube search and you'll hear it. This is way too modern fiddling sounding to be a 19th century Paganini composition. So, that alone is a hint that this composition is not one of Paganini's. Paganini composed classical music, not fiddle country music. Also, go up to the right hand side of this page where it says OMACMOC and press on "more info" and it will tell you more about Mark's compositions.

[HillbillyJ]

Well violinfanatic this really isn't country fiddling either. This Is pretty much classical violin music, even though it draws from the fiddle style.

[Violinfanatic]

I think you're replying to the wrong person. I never said anything relating to what you're talking about. And I agree with you. Mark O Connor started as a fiddler, then Jazz and then Classical. He mixes all those styles currently and they influence his compositions.

[keatingpiers]

"Paganini composed classical music, not fiddle country music."

[Violinfanatic]

Yep, that's another hint it's not Paganini. Thank you

[DAVEBLISS2007]

A one word summation ..... WOW!

[johnnykougra]

Love your brilliant use of lighting. Followed you since you were a BOY. Hey, where's your myspace page???????????????  Thanks!

[sebastianrojas]

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

gran hijo de ....

musico virtuoso

y sobretodo versatil

de los grandes

[freeyourcrt]

I just saw him perform this tonight and 5 other capriccios. He's a genuine American treasure.

[pripridoty]

Cool, my name is Caprice

[siebenboy]

Mr. O'Connor is coming to my school in Houston tomorrow night. I get to see him for free. :D

(my piano teacher is playing with him)

[johnnykougra]

Lucky you!

[siebenboy]

yep...

He let me hold his bow when I was chilling in the studio where they practiced. :P

[randytooth]

Brother has CHOPS!

[hite175]

it might be a bit too capricious

[reellettuce]

gah!! that looks so fun!!!!!!!!

[krondax]

it is. its a lot of fun, but very hard. I coudlnt play the violin, but i did play the cello for about 8 years...

[aNestea]

i finished music school playing violin, and i can tell that this piece is really extremely difficult and he is doing so well that you even can't tell it is.

[LilysApple]

Amazing!5*****

[truths33k9r]

Meraviglioso Magnifico Del Virtuoso!

[MattBronsil]

Is there any reason that he's not more famous? The man is arguably one of the greatest of all time.

[IncorruptibleTruth]

It's amazing to me that you think he isn't famous. I know you didn't mean it in the way that he isn't, but trust me; the man is more famous than most think. Remember, Stephane Grappelli (one of his teachers) didn't become 'really' famous until he was in his mid 70's. True musicians know, Mark is the at the top and probably will stay their until he's dead.

[SepaXP]

and after that i think

[IncorruptibleTruth]

probably true.

[unclejuniorsoprano]

@MattBronsil What an annoying little etude. Reminds me of a child riding his bike down a bumpy road, honking the squeaky air horn as he goes along, and pissing everybody off. As for being one of the greatest violinists of all time, O'Connor is certainly a very good fiddler, but when it comes to great violinists, names such as Heifetz, Oistrakh, & Michael Rabin come to mind. Even still, a very good performance for what it's worth.

[Fisherdec]

@MattBronsil Sorry but not even close in the classical world. he's good, but compared to real classical violin viruosos, the range is pretty vast.

[HillbillyJ]

@Fisherdec I don't think he meant just in the classical world. Mark is a master jazz player (think Grappelli on crack), bluegrass, western swing and he was also an amazing jazz/bluegrass guitarist in his younger years.

And I would like to know what you mean by "real" violin virtuosos. I am not saying there aren't better better classical players, but how many of them can compose as well as Mark?

[Fisherdec]

@HillbillyJ I thought Mark was very famous in the bluegrass world, but I if I'm mistaken then my apologies. I was specifically referring to classical because these caprices are inspired by Paganini's 24 caprices which are advanced classical etudes. He is definitely innovative and creative but his technique is below the great virtuosos of the classical world.

[violinmaster3687]

@Fisherdec Actually, I heard him perform this live a year ago and this recording is not very good. You're right that his technique in this video is not clear compared to classical virtuosos, but I'm 'here to tell ya' that his live performance was just a clean and clear as say Joshua Bell, Gil Shaham, or the great one; Heifetz. I went to his fiddle camp as a classical player interested in improvising, since I'd never done it before. His technique is completely natural, a freak of nature!

[yoboe7]

@MattBronsil i mean, hes pretty fricking famous among anyone who knows violin or country -ish jazz / bluegrass lol

[IhaveaCstring]

That is so cool!!!

[oclobeppoh]

Acredito ser este um dos maiores gênios musicais da atualidade... melhor que ele só dois dele...

[Texamigo]

He truly is a genius. For contrast, i.e., consonance and dissonance - - - listen to Mark and Eddie Davidson doing Tom and Jerry - - - - the quintessential Texas style fiddle tune......

[violintviolinist]

oh my goodness he's good. i wish i was this good.. i'm so going to learn this.

[stratele]

Wow!!!! And I thought the album heros was awesome, this surpasses that album all by itself.

[gandaragarcia]

Maybe this sounds like blasphemy, but I think that one of the strings is untuned.

[georgiehenley]

his e string's VERY low...

[sonata1992]

Several of his pieces use scordatura.

[alanisrules25]

pssh...i can do that in my sleep (say with LOTS of sarcasm).

[Flautist820]

I am 13 and Mark and jazz violinist john blake played with the all philadelphia middle school orchestra that i was in on May 10 2007. It was fun.Mark is a great violinist.

[OMACMOC]

check out Mark's myspace page at composermarkoconnor

[psvvac2]

This is one virtuose like i love to hear! I must learn that pieces and will look forward for the music sheet!

[hal0freeek]

wow, i've tried to play this piece and can only get like, 3/4 as fast as him, and wayyyy not as clean as him. and these pieces are written by him. if you buy his sheet music online, it specifically says copyrighted and composed by Mark O'Connor.

[JeffroTheFiddlemaste]

This is not Paganini, I think it's his own compositions.

[gowiemeister]

a NUH. it says it's his caprice.

[fhtrfhtr]

Finest rabeca player!

[milehighguy15]

Wonderful musician and composer. Heard him at Winfield, winning the national flatpicking championship long, long ago...later the fiddling championship...apparently has made the switch to solely fiddle playing due to medical condition which precludes him from flatpicking any longer...he is a kind, soft=spoken person who is respected greatly...nice, nice video

[Geo1104]

Yeah, he is a fidler originally. I went to the concert a couple ours ago.

[KanzlerM]

Is it me, or are there hints of bluegrass fiddle in there?

[conformistrebel]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I'll be attending the San Diego Strings Conference this year, and i'm really looking foreword to meeting him. Great violinist, simply great.

[chaosbreak]

simply great!!

[John11inch]

These pieces are just sooooooo bad.

[aptmusic9]

oy...good composer but id prefer it to be more in tune. ppl dissing o'connor and the ppl glorifying him are both wrong in their own way. this is good but not an excuse to be fanboys here...

[pastor1us]

the pagainini caprices aren't some of the most challenging violin solo pieces ever written or anything... oh wait. yes they are. he does a fantastic job here.

[SiegfriedHorner]

pastor1us: True, but this caprice isn't by Paganini.

[marshaul]

lol "more in tune"

[tjukare]

Mark O'Connor is great!! - Norwegian girl

[majik89d]

So please, just stop commenting, and stop trying to attack the character of a great man, whom I know personally. You know nothing about him, and should just keep your harmful and attacking thoughts to yourself. -David Mudre

[majik89d]

I don't see you at Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camps, proving how terrible a teacher and musician he is, You know Why? BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T! He is doing so much good for so many people, and for music overall, while people like you sick and bicker over how to classify it, or "oh he is copying so and so" and other untrue and worthless arguments.

[rongood]

adidas01003: it's evident you don't know much about Mark or his contributions to the violin/fiddle community. He doesn't need your respect--he's already got it from the likes of Stephane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty, Yo Yo Ma etc. I see by your profile that you're 21. Perhaps investigate the definition of the term "sophomoric".

[RingoPawz]

Anyone who has the audacity to challenge the musical genius of Mark O'Connor is asinine and irrelevant.

[RingoPawz]

Brad, you said it all! Ditto from this girl!

[Drtomm]

I've watched both him and his music grow since he was 12 y.o. I've been recording engineer for several of his early performances when he was but a teen. Mark is a gift to mankind and one of the finest musicians in the WORLD. He needs no defense!

[genmaximus110]

Wow. What speed!

[BradPhillips]

His influence on what can be done with the violin is largely and unfortunately underappreciated. If you think all he can do is play pentatonic scales, and that what he does is not remarkable, please.. for the sake of all humanity, do some research. New Nashville Cats. Heroes. Markology. Hot Swing Live in New York. Can't get any better than that!

Also, go to his fiddle camp. It will change your life! I promise.

[BradPhillips]

...Or adidas and all his or her friends at the conservatory are too wrapped up in their C-Major Bach to accept that a fiddle player can play like Mr. O'Connor. Yes, fiddle music is worthy of some respect! Mark O'Connor is simply one of the greatest musicians to walk the planet and the places he has taken fiddle music is unmatched.

[gaystereotype]

adidas is probably struggling with "go tell aunt rhody" LOL

[goldbird8]

what a punk-ass bitch, you are. the dude can play with the absolute best of them. not only violin - you should hear him play other stringed instruments. he is a master at his craft. undeniable.

[stochastikos]

lol violon has been everywhere you tard... i love these people that judge people way out of their class. mark o'connor is one of the best violin players EVER(not an opinion). when you have a video of yourself playing violin please post it so i can tell you how unoriginal you are.

[bratschegurl]

more, more!

[Sinnerboy61]

well, dickface, when you can write something better than Mark, let us know.

[adidas01003]

while i think this caprice is interesting, it in no way pushes the violin into a new direction. this aspect of violin has already been explored. yes yes...pentatonic scales and what not, violins been there.

[jhodges72]

Everyone can be a critic, but very few can appreciate musical mastery when they hear it. Maybe someday you can grow enough in music to appreciate what is being done here. Goodluck.

[adidas01003]

mark o'connor tries to immitate something that has been done, and he is trying to add something to the classical world. trust me its not that great....

[jhodges72]

What Mark is doing, has NEVER been done. He's taking many styles and melding them together to show a common bond that all styles of music share. You're musical immaturity is really showing through with comments such as the ones you're making. You're not getting at all what he is doing.

[adidas01003]

i get what he's trying to do, and it's been done. its just not good enough. lets discuss what he is trying to create in this piece. Mark is trying to make a caprice for technique. this piece doesn't expand the technique of violin at all. i'm sorry but its the truth

[jhodges72]

How do you know if he's trying to make a caprice for technique purposes? you don't know for what purpose he's making it. Apperantly you believe that if a piece doesn't "expand the technique" of the violin, it isn't worth playing. Here's my conclusion, you're an absolute idiot and I'm not going to debate an idiot.

[adidas01003]

now youre just assuming. and i think its pretty apparent he's trying to make this a technical piece. and its out of tune, my friend.

[jhodges72]

Anyway, I'm done with ya, let me know when you grow enough balls to post your video so I can critique it. I used to tour with Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton and been playing the violin since I was 2 years old (32 years of playing). I think I'm qualified. You're a joke pal and need to start practicing so you can catch up to all the people that are actually making a buck with their music.

[jhodges72]

Now you're gonna twist? You assumed, not me and it is NOT apparent that he is trying to make that a technical piece. He's making music. Stop over analyzing music. You must be a high school music teacher. Out of tune? hahaha, you must be pitch deaf.

[adidas01003]

what is rascal flatts? who is blake shelton? theyre nobodies. i'm sorry to break the news to you my insulting friend. you just arent that good. and mark oconnor just isnt that good....i dont know what else to say.

[jhodges72]

Insulting? listen child, do some research before you speak. If recieving a grammy and being the 3rd largest grossing tour of all genres of music is nobody's, then I guess thats what I am young man. But I can tell you, the chances of you getting to where I've been, is very slim. I'm not interested in speaking with you anymore. Goodluck.

[adidas01003]

dude i'm going to prove that mark o'connor is trying to imitate classical music. Mark o'connor composed a series of concerti called the seasons of life, and he devoted it to the four seasons of vivaldi. this is just a caprice composed to just spite paganini. you are such a blind fool that you cant even see past todays time.

[adidas01003]

theres your god damn proof that o'connor is a hack.

[jhodges72]

The only hack is you, now go ask your mommy to wash your clothes college boy.

[adidas01003]

haha i'm sorry i ruined your hero.

[jhodges72]

Trust me, you haven't and he's not my hero. You only made yourself look like an asshole. Since you insist that he's trying to play classical (which he is not) I'll leave you with this fact. He's doing a much better job pulling off the classical style than Perlman did a few years ago when he attempted to play Jazz which is Mark's forte. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. I real musician can play multiple styles.

[adidas01003]

and plus other people outside the US don't know who this guy. you can respect him all you want, and for all i care you can respect him when youre masturbating, but i'm sorry dude. his work needs to be more refined. not so folk tune-y

[jhodges72]

"his work needs to be more refined"? are you kidding me. That's his whole bag. Are you trying to say he needs to sound like a classical player? Cause he's not a classical player and that's not what he's going for. You're 21 years old? Put up your video's. Let's see what you got.

[hawanier]

I live in South Korea, and I know who Mark O'Connor is. If you look into his discography, you'll see he's even RECORDED outside of the US. His "Four Seasons" is both a tribute to and a modern interp. of Vivaldi - buy a CD and read the insert. His style is unparalleled and his music pure genius. Do yourself a favor and explore his work. I'm a bit embarrassed that we're the same age.

[freeyourcrt]

He just played a tribute concert to Stephan Grappelli in Europe. I believe it went over really well there. He was a protege of Grappelli too if memory serves. I believe Grappelli thought highly of him. Is Grappelli a hack? Not classical enough? Too "folksy," or "jazzy", maybe? I read your comments above and while I don't take issue with all I think perhaps you're living in a smaller world than you imagine.

[freeyourcrt]

Correction.. I should've referred to Stephan Grappelli in the past tense (RIP).