Rare Classical Guitar Video: John Williams at Toronto 1987

[amaterrapper]

Scarlatti Sonata K159 if you are asking:D

[mitch19636]

The Master.

[J777K777]

What's the name of this piece? I love it.

[guitarguy1685]

always in awe when I hear him

[leorozas]

Thanks to RareGuitarVC for uploading these great videos :-)

[focl2003]

Yes, yes it's great, but what about thanking RareGuitarVC?

[atw42]

I don't mean to put anyone one down but this is how I honestly feel. This performance is very disappointing. Such a interesting and joyful sonata but incredibly unimaginative playing, quite poor phrasing and mediocre tone. There are many better guitarists than williams.

[marc0sdead]

@atw42 Name a few I want to see your interest since John Williams' performance is "disappointing" 

[TheJester1962]

It takes at least a decade of highly intensive daily practice to develop this kind of power and tone control, and very few are up to it. Only Manuel Barrueco, David Russell, and my own favourite Oscar Caceres (not on YT??) have been capable of producing this kind of majestic guitar sound, IMMO. And let's not forget the ladies: Luz Maria Bobadilla and Ana Vidovic, both former child prodigies.

[BuzzyFredrick]

Serious Toronto connection. Why is Kim Mitchell in this?

[sabrinashum]

Bravo! i'm so happy to find this page i could cry. looking fw to seeing other films from the Festival. i used to have a vcd of the Festival which got stolen. there was a piece played by Vladimír Mikulka. really sweet.

[polygamous1]

this Is a pure guitarist no amps no tremolos no FA just pure skill one of the all time greats

[Gregor847]

What's wrong with tremolo??

[Rexicano]

@polygamous1

Kinda naive;

It's being record with a microphone and replayed here via an amplifier.

And a very cheesy video.

[rockdrumr429]

BOYS! BOYS! A little too much testosterone flowing about? Use it for something else, you could do a lot of good...

Great piece, by the way!

[thejugglenaut91]

does anyone know of the transcription of this piece that he plays here? scarlatti 104 btw.

[doglase]

Aha i thought it was a monkey painting at 1:16 at first :P x

[TheULTRATRON]

meanmt to like that sorry haha so did i

[carefreemusic]

wow... i like this piece... sublime...

[Rexicano]

Very harsh sound; he's overplaying.

[powerbender]

To your refined ears perhaps; sounds fine to me.

[Rexicano]

Been listening to Williams for more than 30 years, so yes; you're right....I do have extremely refined ears.

[HighZombiesRule]

You have to keep in mind, this is a Youtube vid, and Youtube has never been an audiophile's friend. Doesn't sound like he's overplaying to me. But to me, overplaying is playing 16th notes when it would sound better if you played 8ths. :)

[Rexicano]

UH, I'm pretty sure I knew it was YouTube.

I do take into account sound quality ...

but you might also consider that I've been into Williams playing from his earliest recordings when he was 17.

I do know the difference between his best and his not so good playing. He over playing here.

[HighZombiesRule]

Whatever you say, e-tough guy. It sounds like he's playing comfortably in time to me. It really doesn't matter how long YOU'VE been listening to him play. It's subjective and your opinion is not fact, and I don't understand how you can be all butthurt over someone posting a comment on this vid. It's their opinion. Man, how about you take your rudeness somewhere else? :/

Hmm, I wonder what John Williams would think about your comments, or whether he would care if you thought he was overplaying.

[Rexicano]

I said nothing about the time; buut then you must have shit in your ears.

I wasn't rude to you but then I see you mostly listen to Rock electric & love metal... and are probably so insecure...you get all defensive when someone clearly has more experience and knowledge than you.

So, I guess if he picked up the guitar and broke it...and I said so...that would "subjective" too. What a fool.

Don't like what I say? Then fuck off and stop writing me.

[HighZombiesRule]

I'm not really insecure. I love all kinds of music like koto, fue music. Actually I ask people with higher knowledge and experience questions, and I give props when they are. You misinterpreted what I said. Of course, if he picked up a guitar and broke a string, that would be reality. But you saying an artist is overplaying..what is overplaying. When is too much too much? That's when opinions come into play. And that Chinese Bamboo flute music video made my day, I agree that you have great taste

[powerbender]

Maybe you could define what you mean by "overplaying" and "very harsh sound" (or rather, at what stage does it become "overplayed"). Maybe you could direct us laypeople to some of his other works where he was NOT overplaying. Truth to be told, you do sound like an arrogant, know-it-all-prick. That is not to say you are, but you sure as hell sound like it to my ears, and I have heard from such people for 30 odd years....

[Rexicano]

I'm not going to give you free guitar lessons.

Look thru my favs; there's a Williams vid there.

Otherwise; get a life and stop with the love letters.

[powerbender]

Yeah, yeah. I could say the same to you. And on and on it goes.

[Rexicano]

I don't see the comparison; you have ONE fav and it aint guitar.

[powerbender]

Maybe its because I couldn't be bothered to add more. Maybe I store my favorites some other way. Maybe I have a room full of guitar CDs, manuscripts, books and whatnot and two guitars that cost me over 8 months' salary.

Go ahead and make your own judgement - even if it is merely based on my youtube profile etc. which I don't bother with - if it makes you feel better. I won't do the same.

[Rexicano]

Yup;

a lot of work to hit that old FAVS button.

I knew a guy who had a row of expensive guitars

Couldn't play a single one.

Are you done yet?

I make ONE SMALL comment re Williams.and you come at me like I'd stepped on your puppy.

Check out the other sites!

People are really talking some shit about him (souless, cold, too fast...on and non)

If you're gonna complain to everyone who says something about him you don't like...you have a lot a work to do.

[powerbender]

Are YOU done yet?

As I said before, I could say the same to you, and I will.

If you're going to complain to everyone who says something you don't like... you have a lot of work to do. So get a life and stop with the love letters.

[powerbender]

It appears to me that in this case you're the fool, Rexicano. If someone else comes along and says he has "been into Williams playing since he was 17", who is (or claims to be) as experienced and refined as yourself, and this fella says that Williams is not overplaying... he's a fool? No, it's his opinion, as is yours. Your broken guitar analogy is utterly idiotic (but that doesn't mean you are). Come off your pedestal and tell me if I'm wrong.

[thejugglenaut91]

wow, you're really a dick aren't you rexicano?

[noodleninjaa]

"John Williams: England"? He's from Australia.

[skepticdude2]

the video was saying where he currently resides (at the time of the filming), not where he is "from".

[MrSnorlax22]

@noodleninjaa But lives in England

[George199513]

@noodleninjaa You're right. But they maybe have writen the country he was living in. Who knows?!

[duderock009]

@noodleninjaa yeah but he resides for almost 50 yrs in london

[godisgreatwwjd]

amazing piece I've havent heard yet 'til now the weird mime scares the 5hit out of me though

[agvap]

xD modern art

[Rexicano]

Bizzare; like someone edited the video on drugs. Bad drugs.

[godisgreatwwjd]

bad drugs, not good drugs like WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEED

[fabio0077]

Superb!...nice sonata too, "la caccia". Thanks!

[letargic4]

Thanks 4 this