Sharon Isbin plays Barrios

[Michajeru]

That was really well played. Sharon is amazing.

[lucasapendino]

Muy buena interpretación...

[f22turboaccord]

hands down best interpretation i've ever heard. Like clockwork. Sharon Isbin is that woman

[99999999999999994041]

Vraiment beaucoup trop rapide , sorry

[carystrings]

Very fine interpretation. There is lots of room for interpretation in Barrios...that's why we all want to play it!

[alkoolblue]

Smithsherman, not only Sharon Isbin is one of the finest classical players in the world, her soul has been more than enough for some breathtaking duets with Mr Electric Guitar Soul, Steve Vai.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion.

[ruithael]

Sharon Isbin is a master guitarist.. How her soul is expressed through her playing is what I think people take exception to. I think she has a hardness, which cannot be divorced from her music because it is in her soul, not the notes. Whether one likes her specific take on guitar mastery, or not, is irrelevant. She is a master and is recognized as such by brilliant musicians and lovers of music. She's already proven it. It's not up for vote and some asshole with an opinion cannot change that.

[bavlara]

So bad it's laughable. Barrios would roll over and stick cotton wool in his ears so he wouldn't have to hear this drivel.

[meowcutemeow]

her technique flawless? -...- check 0:11 - 0:13 n many more

[DenianArcoleo]

I see that kind of comment on youtube quite often. I'm a classical guitarist and I carefully listened to the passages you highlight and I cannot hear anything at all wrong technically. The player is using rubato for sure, but I think it's quite deliberate; in interpretative choice. If you are going to point out something that is wrong (pretty usless pastime ) at least point to something that is actually wrong!?

[MikeyIV]

@meowcutemeow I think it's a great performance! I don't get your problem, who do you prefer?

[zazzidog]

Not a fan of hers. Her playing does not sing-- sounds jerky and metallic!

[felinemouse]

Technically superb,but something hard and unyielding about her playing, the guitar just dose''nt sing

[praetorious27]

negaters dont know what they taik about i play all these s american pieces her technique is flawless never mind the sound quality though its imp,not her fault

[vinthebeast]

recording on bad speakers can cause this effect of being out of tune. and you really cant judge tone unless its in person. sorry to burst your little bubble.

[mayraenr]

if she sucks, why is she talked about in books.

[CKChardrocka]

She was probably the first prominent female guitarist. That is why.

[powellbarrios]

Long live Berta Rojas! Let Barrios music be played by the Great Berta Rojas! This interpretation is offensive

[fullmetalcandy]

Wow, I must say that the two who posted those demeaning remarks about her playing are quite inept when it comes to musical interpretation. Anyone with half a brain stem would be able to notice the lack of musicality due to the recording quality. Sharon is my cousin and I have seen her play this live, earlier this evening in fact and it is nothing short of amazing. You two obviously don't know the first thing about classical guitar style and theory.

Go back to the basics.

[HopePoisoned]

She is so bad!!!!! AHHHH why do people watch this????

[ILikeClassicalGuitar]

This is probably the WORST interpretation I have heard of this piece EVER. Her scales are so dismal they make me cringe. So many of her notes are off beat and she has TERRIBLE tone and terrible rubato. Each note sounds muffled.

[lorenzocame]

You know this women is Lesbian? She Made an episode of the L word too :P

[j3uuif3r]

... hahaha ... yeah!!!!!!! ...

[juliamelogauy]

me quedo con berta rojas

[decameron5662]

por lo de lesbiana????

[musicadict3]

Bravo...

[what567]

The transition from the campanella back to the trio is hilarious.

[smithsherman]

Barrios played like an electric metronomic dental drill.

[azharkamal]

great!!

[rickzowie]

I got to hear her play once at college, where she performed at a Fine Arts Series. Ms. Isbin definitely has chops. I love listening to her. Another favorite of mine is Armenian folk guitar music.

[comic4relief]

more...

[Whocaresifyoucare]

Sharon is certainly a stellar guitarist.

I love Steve Vai, put if given the choice I would lean toward this ability she owns.

[bigearstwo]

I must admit surprise that anyone would be critical of Sharon Isbin any more than any other player. Sadly, reading comments here proves the classical audience still takes everything on authority and lacks the ability to identify something good on its own merits. Know of someone better? Please, share.

[kinggimped]

Never trust YouTube comments. Never in my life have I ever seen a repository of such idiocy.

She can obviously play. Anybody who can't hear that is deaf. I thought it was a beautiful interpretation and rendition. Sadly some will always prefer thrashers devoid of emotion like Yngwie Malmsteen.

[karlheckman]

Here, here.

[import2nr15]

Just because Yngwie plays a billion notes per second doesn't mean he doesn't play with emotion. It's pretty much impossible to play any kind of musical instrument without feeling or emotion.

[kinggimped]

In that case, Yngwie makes the impossible possible. I actually love musicians with great technique like Malmsteen (e.g. Joscho Stephan), I just prefer a little subtlety rather than all-out showmanship. Different strokes for different folks.

Unfortunately, playing Guitar Hero isn't a particularly authoritative qualification for musical dissection, but thanks all the same. :)

[import2nr15]

I feel the same way about musicians. I actually get bored listening to Yngwie sometimes because of the non-stop shredding, but it just annoys me when people say that he, John Petrucci, Buckethead, Steve Vai, Jason Becker, etc. don't play with any emotion.

Aside from playing Guitar Hero, I do indeed play actual instruments (guitar and piano) and know quite a bit about music theory.

[kinggimped]

Like I said, it's all utterly subjective. I don't see any inflection in Yngwie, but Steve Vai's music has oodles of passion. I wouldn't even put them in the same league.

Buckethead etc. isn't exactly the right genre for emotive capacity. He's a cracking guitarist, though.

[anoreo]

Steve Vai? Lack of emotion? These two don't belong in the same sentence! He is a wonderfully technically rounded musician with a great capacity for expression. As for Yngwie, he does play somewhat emotionally, although sometimes it is lost in his speed.

[Louisw1910]

I heard her live...she is pretty famous for the level of playing...too much show too little quality!

[kekapoint]

Muito bom!!!!

[mason104]

I think women sometimes have a way of interpreting or performing music, that is somewhat unique to them. I don't cuss and shout about it, either.

[justinoalberic00]

beautiful

[Arriscraft]

not bad

[Arriscraft]

no bad

[funcdoktor]

Not her greatest performance, but I'd love to see any of the naysayers play any better. She's living the dream, and you guys are talking about it. Sharon is successful in the classical genre, and regardless of your misplaced comments, she'll continue to garner honors and world-wide recognition. I wouldn't expect any less than a gum, or rocking criticism from anyone more than an aspiring pundit.

[funcdoktor]

* I wouldn't expect any less than a gum, or rocking criticism from an aspiring pundit.

[loadermen]

mmm jaja que fea guitarra.. tiene la sexta cuerda muy abajo. y no me gustó su interpretación, le falta sentir ese sabor latino.

[temifv]

from now on I'm gonna consume a pack of gum a day! perhaps it'll helpe me to be as good as her someday!!!

[CrazedLeper]

Who are these snobs ranking on her for chewing gum?! She can chew gum and play like this and you choke if you stand up.

[cynicalcheese]

no one denies she's good, it's just bad performance etiquette to chew gum.. technically. she rocks though

[tuconsciencia]

Just becuase you ape the great composers of history does not mean you can hide what's inside of you. The great bluesman Albert Collins had "ice pick in your forehead tone", it does not work witth Barrios...

Sincerely, tu consciencia.....

[tuconsciencia]

yes, you are chewing gum, Stevie Ray Vaughaun could do it, somehow.. it doesn't work for you. Also the rocking back and forth, it worked for the rain man, and again, not for you. I thought since you are famous and all that it might be only me who is unmoved by your efforts, but CLEARLY, as is evidenced by 99% of the comments on your page here, it is you. You are transparent, cold as an iceberg. Music is a clear reflection of the contents of the performers heart.

[tuconsciencia]

you play without love, too much ego...

The music is cold... It should be warm

you must dig deeper, open your heart allow the music to find itself through you.

[lambgtr7]

i dont get how that is bad show me if you are better then say its bad

[teddylilley]

much better version of this piece can be found by searching for Li Jie - Barrios Vals No.4 (Stereo version),Sharon schooled by a little girl

[teddylilley]

horrible,now I know why I don't have any of her cd's,no sense of rhythym or timing,just plays easy parts fast and hard parts too slow,sloppy,and yeah gum chewing(please)

[f15x28isback]

I'm going to start chewing gum when I play, to see if I can get anywhere close to how well she plays

[BHayley]

I really don't enjoy her playing.

[balsaraft]

Is she chewing gum? Classy.

[zumbinis]

I am not a musician: all you who are comenting "bad tone"--do you mean the piece is badly played, or badly recorded? I have seen Ms. Isbin play live from second row of an intimate setting and was thrilled with the seeming precision and passion of her playing. This seems most likely to be a muffled recording or reproduction.

[indagdnm]

BAD TONE!!!

[zazzidog]

1. poor tone throughout

2. crashed last chord/ although its maked ff (

i.e., very loud) it stillust be sustained (rounded)

3. lousy interpretation of campanella section

Technical skill but where is the lyricism?

[heyman87109]

bad tone, agreed.

[1singlet]

She is blessed with those hands.

[Mistermagoo77]

Brilliant musicianship, unquestionable technical command and the most dreadful tone!!!

[paulroman13]

Sharon, you are absolutely terrific. I thought guitar instrument is for men only. I am wrong.

[Whocaresifyoucare]

Sharon can play and play well!

I'd marry her just for her playing

[guitalvaro]

COCHINO:P

[jcw0705]

wow...she sounds absolutely terrible.

[smithsherman]

Welcome to the classical guitar world.All fingers...

no music or soul allowed.

[aranjuex]

Thanks god its not electric guitar world!!

[matthewpurpura]

She did great! It was just her interpretation of the waltz. Everyone plays it different... look at all of the greats, David Russell, John Williams and countless others-they all play it with a slightly different feel.

Love your playing Sharon!

[centerofjava]

cheers :))

[Crenberi]

...and it's not technically brilliant. at all. aaa what ya gonna do. cheers :)

[GuitarRusso]

She is a brillian guitarist, but tasteless musician. She belong to a generation of the guitarist who were technique wise impressive. Guitar programs just start poping up in the Schools of music in USA so her generation got the most important positions in USA. By now, most of the finalist at ANY guitar competition can play much much better.

[GuitarRusso]

I agree,so said to have such a great technique and such a little sence of waltz.

[merryberry1234]

Isn't she supposed to be number one in the world? She is head of the guitar department at Juilliard.

[jmc8197]

Technically brilliant but lacking musicianship