Kyung Wha Chung plays Bach 'Air on G'

[joun1841]

she's the best

[joun1841]

she's the best

[pinchetele]

Take not this artist is performing this nominal "Air on G", which really means "Air on the G string", the thickest and most difficult string on the violin to master. The original piece is written in D major, but this arrangement puts it in C major so that the lowest notes of the song coincide with the lowest note(s) of this "Air", the old-fashioned terms for long-chained melody. Slow pieces are the most difficult pieces to play on violin, and this piece really shows control - wow!

[Luutzen007]

This makes me feel, despite the world.

The most original, loving care version.

[lykfe]

i wonder what she is thinking about while she is playing that piece...

maybe her parents passing away..?? i feel rly sad..

[Luutzen007]

most compassionate Bach "Air" so far

[andreabennington]

Stunning. I have never heard this played in a more affecting manner. I think I prefer the piece played on the lower G!

[davehshs]

The most affecting, beautiful playing I've ever heard of this often-played piece. The gorgeous resonance of the lower string is too little heard.

[russtherab]

Beautiful

[i3ish]

I'm a grown man but this makes me want to cry......

[byardw]

i am crying-just another of bach's jewels that stir and inflame my soul to joy.

[RaRaLandTV]

True artistry and musicianship. Notice how @ 2:50 she vibrates the G an octave higher

on the D string, so that the resonance of the D string and fingerboard vibration also contribute to the colouring of the overtones...

Don't know if I explained that right, but... there it is... Magic....

[RIPLEYvsALIENS]

The only way that I can describe her performance is to say that it takes my breath away.

[lyriesch]

Intimate virtuosity

[violinmusicfan]

I like the way you put it

[estherxhia]

amazing. it's so sweet.

[bluepig486]

best performance of Air on the G String I've seen

[SirKuppo]

this song is one of my favorites, but she definitely gives this a different expression. so so so emotional, i really appreciate this.

[fingerhorn4]

Lovely playing. All the more so, for non-violinists watching, that it was all done on the lowest(G)string, the hardest string to keep in tune and the hardest to produce vibrato on throughout its range on all fingers.

[lunytic]

This is actually the easiest string to get the most rich vibrato out of...especially in the 3rd 4th 5th  position and beyond

[brianfan1]

She is the best female violinist ever - a female Oistrakh...

[twofinedays]

She has her own state - a sign of a inspirational artist :)

[brianfan1]

do u play violin?

[pikachoi2007]

yup. I agree. 5 stars here

[juzo95]

makes you want to cry...

[pikachoi2007]

she's one of my favorites. 5stars here

[servant1004]

I think this interpretation is very unique, showing her life's way.

[182278]

She took the title of the piece very literally--which I find so intriguing. I love it. It makes you wonder did Bach really mean air (as in an airy bow) on a g-string? The answer seems obvious, but it is the question that is so mystic and interesting?

Any thoughts?

[violinmusicfan]

Yes, I do think Bach really meant "air" and intended this piece to be played in an airy and smooth fashion. I also believe that Bach wanted this piece to be played on the G string despite the many other versions that do no follow this. This shows that she respects the intentions of composers.

[Twinkleh]

Bach didn't intend for it to be played on the G String,the Air on the G String is a variation by someone else. It was originally just the 'Air'.

[zeagle79]

What remarkable presence in the music.

[Yuriy21]

Kyung Wha Chung possesses the main advantage of any instrumentalist - at it a fine sound! The Remarkable musician!

[Fr3derick]

Everybody, do you prefer her souvenirs performance or this?

[iwaly1212]

I think her other live is almost powerful and flexible. her records like textbook and so subtle. but this bach's piece likes her cd play.

[Fr3derick]

Like a textbook? You mean technical? How interesting. And are you trying to say that this performance is similar to her recording while another of her live performances of this piece is more powerful and flexible? :D, I'm interested to know what you think.

[Fr3derick]

And I think you are right. Her playing tends to be more adventurous and vigorous in her live performances as opposed to her recordings which tend to be more subtle and cautious. I think the videos you posted of her playing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is a good example of how she seems to be less inhibited in her live performances.

[iwaly1212]

It's known that she practice one prhase at least 100(?)times before recording(when she was young). she wanted to leave perfect and long-lasting, historic records. for this reason, she plays intensly in obvious purpose.

in live, her plays almost perfectly but more instinctively

[iwaly1212]

It's known that she practice one prhase at least 100(?)times before recording(when she was young). she wanted to leave perfect and long-lasting, historic records. for this reason, she plays intensly in obvious purpose.

in live, her plays almost perfectly but more instinctively

[chulesq]

I prefer this performance to that of Souvenir. In Souvenir, her trills are exaggerated, and that bothered me. This is like a prayer.

[zeagle79]

Yes!.

[hansungpil]

Her facial expression makes it more beautiful. She always performs like devoting her whole soul to the piece which makes me feeling more deeper into the music. Very good.

[spikedardens]

touching

[HollyMartins]

Her face is amazing. It's as if she is locked in the blissful moment prior to coital climax.

Magnificent.

[lalakoft]

This is beautiful.

[tribalheadhunter]

she plays it more emotions than sarah chang....keep it up ms chung....love u very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StarlightWarrior]

she looks like she's sbout to cry herself.

[nomicon76]

I just love this trembling vibrato, perfect.

[dontlikethisname]

It seems difficult to fit the 9 beat note into one bow

[helendelores]

She lifts her pinky on down bows, how strange. I love that she plays it all on the G string.

[czimon]

yeah, i noticed that, too. but it seems that she does it on up bows as well. i think she lifts her pinkie when she's playing on the upper portion of her bow. for what reason i have absolutely no idea. at first i thought it was to add more contact when playing double stops but she does it here as well and this piece has absolutely no double stops.

nonetheless, a true "Air on G" played on the G string! *clap* *clap*

[voodoou20two]

very lovely

[radostsguy]

Bach plus Chung equals the epitome of emotion!

[cunibertg]

Is she playing it in CMajor? It sounds like.

I've always played it in DMajor.

[junevi2000]

She is playing in C major on the G(4th) string.

[entropus111]

her vibrato is very tense

[socraticmuser]

I think on purpose; gives the music a tension, like the tension in someone's voice when they're about to cry.

[czimon]

ah, i just love this woman so much! her interpretations are the best. if she isn't the goddess of music her self then she must be her chosen or her mortal incarnate.

bravo!

[microredant]

beautiful violin and g string, thank you for posting this excellent job.

[lindsayl284]

i like her interpretation of this piece and the 4 string (just found out this number from userf Melchiahi :o) ) is just what I like!! Search on Sarah chang's version you will know wht I mean, didnt sound elegant as compare to this...

[bluedoughnuts]

Beautiful, thanks.

[transhurray]

wow this woman violinist touches my soul.

[bluedoughnuts]

:-)))

[pbgirl09]

That last look on her face seems pretty cocky.

[twofinedays]

Pity you find it 'cocky'. A matter of taste and understanding. I would rather say 'apre un reve', and thoes would agree with me who sensed the beauty and serenity of the music.

[pbgirl09]

Dude, get a life.

[twofinedays]

That's very insolent of you - or shall I say 'cocky' following your expression? Go find your etiquette before you thoughtlessly spill comments around to other people's posts.

[adael1305]

I think you are right, twofinedays. Anyway, she has good reasons to feel cocky: her playing is absolutely flawless. However, her expression shows deep concentration and emotion, in my opinion.

[spikedardens]

then you obviously interpreted it wrong

[Luutzen007]

@pbgirl09

Cocky is Ok.

She is not playing for an audience applause or attention, she is playing JS Bach's Air as he mend it.

So, what is the meaning of Bach's Air? Procal Harm's "a whiter shade of pale?".

Which sentence fit's Bach's air?

[Luutzen007]

@pbgirl09

She is not playing to be adored by the crowd. She is feeling JS Bach 's Air trough the centuries.

[hansungpil]

Perfect!! I can feel the way she puts her great feeling on it.

[Melchiahi]

At last! I must say what i did have saw a many video

of the "Air on the G string", but what say the name,

Air for de 4° string. She is playing on the 4° string.

This is original and Goddly, Praise to be Lord!

[afortyandoldstrings]

Beautiful indeed. Much sadder than this famous melody of Bach is than Westerners, myself included, have not touched the rich history of Chinese music - which has its own striking and memorable qualities; it was through YoYo Ma's Silk Road Project that rejuvenated my interest in music.

[twofinedays]

I'd appreciate if you could leave a bit more relavant comment to the video showing here, if you don't mind. And since you mentioned it, it's just general that many cultures other than thoes from the West are still recognized much less than they should, not only Chinese music. Ah, and just to remind you, though I'm sure you know, Ms Chung is Korean.

[airforce2x]

Yes indeed.

[edlnet]

Thanks for posting this video. She really played it with feelings.