KATSARIS Bach Toccata and fugue in D minor trans.KATSARIS

[Seerokool]

dont get me wrong. this is one of the most impressive interpretations of this song ever! (but right around 4:10 or 4:20 im thinking whow....too fast there bud!

[shadylanem]

Has he lost his mind trying to master this song over the years?!?!?

[simonuploads]

I think, too much pedal and Toccatta plays not so quick

[jvance2230]

this guy sounds like six pianos being played all at once by axe murderers.

having said that, i love this video.

[gregartmusic]

Where is the music in this piece???

[gregartmusic]

Is this man crazy? Stupid or what?

[Musicroxmysox134]

that icon in the top right corner was distracting me the whole time

[jvance2230]

@Musicroxmysox134

dammit... i didn't notice it til i read that... but now it's distracting me

[Musicroxmysox134]

@jvance2230 ahahahaha... sorry :P

[mistersunglasses1]

To all the people who complain that this performance is "ridiculous" or that it is wrong because he plays it more quickly than you've heard it before:

Classical music is all about interpretation. Just because something is standard doesn't necessarily mean it is more correct than a different interpretation. Now, that being said, I think we can all appreciate the great effort that Katsaris put into this performance.

[10UnderScore10]

1:23 LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[Zezelogy]

a mi si me gusta, tiene momentos de genialidad

[KOGAL79]

i my god he is such a show off....ok dude you are good but.....nothing more...

[fredericfranc]

...yeah, this is just too much, it will spoil the YouTubers...they are going to think that a piano is supposed to sound like this...but you can't make it illegal...playing, sounding like this...

[risktakerdaito]

crazy...

[risktakerdaito]

ママー怖いよーこのオジサン変ー

[GoobieDoober]

Oh my god, I HATED this. Dude, just because you can play fast doesn't mean it sounds good.

Awful!!!

[EmLaughs]

man u got terrible sound! no offfense but its true

[idilugurnal]

it is fast if we compare it with the original and his technique is a bit different

[Maya77Kashmir]

Horrifiant , le mec joue TROP MAL

[MrDam1973]

Che porcheria !!!

[Haeronthegreat]

Katsaris is a clown.

[BuckshotLaFunke1]

@Haeronthegreat He is a virtuoso, that's different. There is a story about Ignaz Friedman. After a concert a friend asked him: 'Why did you play that piece so fast?' Friedman's reply: 'Because I can.'

[TomatoPro]

@Haeronthegreat a clown that has recorded all nine Beethoven-Liszt Symphony s.464 transcriptions. Like you never have.

[abbeliszt]

I'm impressed, very bold and close to the original organ score. There is always something lacking obviously when transcribing what was written for another instrument - he's an excellent pianist

[abbeliszt]

I'm impressed, very bold and close to the original organ score. There is always something lacking obviously when transcribing what was written from another instrument - he's an excellent pianist

[sonodavide]

fantastico!

[095kiki]

Laideur absolue, grotesque cirque ...

[c0string]

i want 7 mins of my life back..

[D12ex]

Katsaris: Give me my money BITCH!

Piano:AH, I didnt take ur money

Katsaris: DOnt FUccking Lie!

Piano: Oh no not the toccata!!! NOOO!O!O!

[MetalAge19]

Calm down dude. u r gona chrash the piano

[mrfadi]

a question, why all the great piano players are insane!!!!

[simonchang8]

this is a VERY ridiculous performance!!! this guy obviously has excellent techniques... but interpreting this famous like this is way beyond tolerance... THIS IS REALLY BAD!! I couldn't help laughing at the beginning of the toccata... this guy's got some nerves to play like this... like a crazy person talking without breathing...

[gert0174]

@simonchang8 The idea of trying to play an organpiece on a piano shows a lot of courage. But Katsaris rules. Try to find something adequate to laugh at.

[21436587abc]

It's interesting... a baroque piece in romanticist-expressionist style in the presentation of a vortuoso like Franz Liszt... VERY interesting...

[ChanologyAgent]

I'd like him better if he wasn't a Scientologist.t

[Talpestruzzolo]

one word: orrible...

[Baseliner]

I had no clue Christopher Walken played Piano.

I NEED MORE COWBELL IN THIS!

[Paulostlyer]

show

[LisztBusoni]

I think that Busoni's transcription is better... more better.

[Dialgar]

No doubt he can play fast but I don't feel that this is how this song should be played.

[phantom402]

why is there a floating head in the upper right corner

[illizsh]

busoni did perfect job, just leave it alone

[ramiraramira]

AMAZING. CAPITAL LETTERS ALAROUND.

I CLAPED MY HANDS IN THE END WHILE GIVING STANDING OVATIONS

MY PARENTS RUSHED TO SEE WHAT HAPPNED... BUT NOTHING HAPPNED. IT WAS PURE JOY. THANK YOU.

[vanburikwouter]

Damn he's quick! and he makes in the first toccata a mistake but the rest of the piece is great! but it's really really fast:P

[deathsave]

Why is there a head floating in the upper right corner of the screen?

[Julialovesthebeatles]

:O

..

..

I said to myself: I should check out how to play this, and how it sounded on the piano when I would play it myself...

yeah....

I think I have to let this one wait just a few more years...

[rosepiano1]

Non et non, je ne supporte pas sa manière de précipitation et d'arranger les morceaux.

[SealedSage]

I have a feeling that if Bach himself saw this awful performance, he'd regret it ever being published.

[TheJohancha86]

is he italian?

[jvance2230]

i dont understand how anyone can give this less than five stars..

say all you want about whether he did what bach would have wanted or whether he is technically correct.. this was already an incredibly difficult piece and he just made it his bitch

[Chariot34]

awful

[AHDPA]

2:12 - charming...

[keenboy1310]

Painfully fast.

[alexmanzo19]

what a difficult piano work!!! Katsaris is a master!!

[Ozarka741]

It is a little too fast, I would slow it down, personally. If you like it fast, okay, but I would slow it down...

[belinaGAP]

too fast....

[VictorDanDan]

Not just too fast,

too strong the bass

&

a bit not enough clear for almost the whole song,

fast & slow.

[Elicgt]

Personally I like the Cortot version more :P

[jefftam1234]

notice

by saying the following, or the variation of it: "the plays too fast"

would not make you seem more insightful or artistic, so shut it.

[flute1982]

he is reallly great!!

[kastlesucksTDOTS]

Like the fugue :)

[PianistEmoMusicLover]

ALL the musicicans play WAY to fast

[flute1982]

not all.

[Adenafire]

really to fast, it shuld be for an organ

[templedread]

Bach should be heard AND understood. He is playing to fast, therefore destroying the piece...

[templedread]

Why would Bach play like this? This work was made for organs. Where were organs? In cathedrals! If you played to fast, the reverberation would distort the sound. Besides, in that time organs didn't have electric motors that didn't allow the air to enter so fast in the pipes like it is today.

[LogicalFlawDetector]

@templedread

No you moron. As if Katsaris wouldn't know that.

It's the video recording. It is due to the poor recording device in the camera. This would sound perfect live.

[ManosRK]

ridiculous

[funeslandia]

=O

maestro!!!

[thepoet82]

I agree with most comments here. Too fast!

[muddro420]

ach. why is he in such a hurry? isn't there some kind of notation on that piece of paper that indicates the speed of the composition? i get that he is showing off, but it's hard to be impressed when one of your favorite pieces is being obliterated in the process. so maybe he can play the keyboard better than bach (maybe not!), can he write a piece as good as this one?

[Atalasia]

Agreed.

[Tetsuo315]

I'm up for new things and I also really like this piece, but his arangement makes it sound way too mudy.

[GeorgeOfZala]

I think he tries to imitate the organ sound, which is full of echoes and reverbation. If you play the organ score on the piano as it is, it will be very flat compared to the sound of the organ. No wonder it needs to be rearranged to anyone's own taste. I believe Katsaris accomplished to make the piano sound similar to a pipe-organ. Congrats! As an organist, I couldn't do it better on the piano myself :-)

[NoNameLikeThisOne]

But not THAT fast, I don't think.

[jefftam1234]

couldn't have agreed more

[Dablank]

I don´t like it :S:S:S:S:S

[MrToulis93]

i love it!great performance.Saw him in Greece a month ago. He's great

[memepiano]

Pues como decia Michelangelli, (aunque demasiado perfeccionista) si es un ejemplo de expresividad asi como Horowitz, uno tiene que meterse en la pieza, llorar con ella, reir, ya no ser uno mismo, sino uno solo con el piano, a katsaris hasta le dio tiempo de componerse el cabello, el ruedo de la leva, je je je Pero bueno ya lo quisiera ver tocando la version del vuelo del abejorro de Cziffra o el concierto No.3 de RAchmaninoff q`son las piezas para piano mas dificiles del mundo. Saludos Artistas

[memepiano]

La verdad prefiero la versión de Tausig, si de virtuosismo hablamos, desde que la escuche cuando tenia 17 años es la mas impresionante, ya que mezcla el virtuosismo de la escuela de liszt pero sin perder la EXPRESION. Katsaris posee una habilidad mecanica impresionante, pero aqui si se paso al otro lado, ya no es bach, es un lizst maniatico, rock metalico, show circense. Talvez solo tenga habilidad pero no expresividad, hasta llorar cuando se toca, suspirar, como michelangelli;

[SnazzyArt]

no no no... too much flourish and not too mention way too fast

[dahur]

I like it played slower. Just my personal preference.

[zurzica51]

almost a organ!!! great!! tnks for the video! this guy is really good!

[jonnysaunders27]

fast aint allways great! impressive skill though

[ducotjuh]

awful

[Stukov16]

Good transcription. I don't like the pianist though...

[Rocklin5]

amazing............... that's all I can say

[Beethoventhe2nd]

I love his interpretation.... especially octave trills with both hands!!!!

[Tsachir]

In some places it sounds like Liszt.

[vsimoul]

one star is too much

[Rusvi1]

I actualy like this interpretation, although sound qulity is poor, i've heard this piece so many times played like it "should be played" and i got sick of it...same thing all over...but this is something new...bach on drugs...

[Oliiiverr]

Ohh... I guess each to his own interpretation...

Pianist on speed! looks like his hands are having a seizure at the piano o0

[AsMat1983]

Too much sustain to cover his mistakes. It s confusing, this is not how Bach should be played.

He s tanlented but this interpretation is awful

[abrahamcat]

This one gets better as it progresses. For the opening two minutes, Katsaris attacks the melody as if the simplicity of the combinations are beneath his technical ability, and thus all the colour, life and beauty are lost in a storm of blurred fingers.

After the piece becomes more difficult he comes into his own though, and his high tempo adds considerable oomph to the latter, lesser known part of Bach's masterpiece.

Great to watch.

[yfrontluva]

needs to slow down!!

[hanzotk]

I cannot judge this transcription, because a copyright-pirate was recording with a damaged mircophone-camcorder. I can't even tell if he made a mistake at 1.09 or not, that's how horrible the recording sound quality is. My ears are bleeding to possible a great transcription.

I mean, the Fugue was so low and my bose surround system at max! And it sound good from the little pieces I could pick up.

For crying the f**k out loud, the guy is using the petals but it doesn't sound like it

[zurzica51]

1:09 yes he made a mistake! happens.. but great pianist..

[Razaak]

People criticising this performance should really visit Katsaris' website (where his entire discography can be streamed online!!) and sample the professional recording, the difference is vividly evident throughout, at least in my view. This video is great for reference but the sound has obviously been recorded by the camera's onboard microphone and is utterly saturated in reverb. Granted, some may still dislike the arrangement, though basing one's final judgement on this is ludicrous.

[Razaak]

Should add that when I mentioned his entire discography" above, I was actually referring to all recordings that are currently available on his own record label piano 21 and regrettably not everything he ever recorded (for Sony, Teldec, EMI, DG, Decca, RCA etc!) though I sincerely hope that sometime, somehow, this can change.

[GeneralHobog]

Its fair game to judge his playing by this video. For starters, people aren't criticizing the sound quality. They're criticizing the speed. Like the others said, he is talented. But, I don't like it.

[Razaak]

That's the whole point; they're not criticising the sound quality but they should be as It gives a false impression of virtually every aspect of what they are criticising. It isn't just the speed either. People are complaining about the voicing, dynamics, pedalling, melodic line etc. I've heard countless performances by other great artists on Youtube where very similar, if not identical criticisms have been voiced despite abundant evidence of the same technical shortfalls of the recording.

[bluegender2005]

poor Bach... :))

[Chitownboy1023]

Why so fast?? one star!

[indigoblue555]

Eventhough extremely openminded I dare say this truly is butchering a masterpiece.

I can hardly believe how this rendition can be so distasteful being performed by a

sensible and committed soloist as he surely is.

Did he ever talk about his point in this arrangement ?

[sicko0011]

Orribile...

[Bernadosinbarreras]

Ich werde Dein Konzert 1991 nie vergessen............

Lg

Christine

[wookierocker]

It's funny because music is played through expressing it and getting the feel of it like this guy did, that's what bach wanted with this piece, this guy is expressing himself so you should all get over it. :)

[ric55]

OMG-the J.S.Bach Toccata thought-police are still out in force, I see. It's Katsaris' own transcription- get over it! If you all really disapprove so much-get out of here and go post about Maksim and Richard Kastle.

[warcraftaddict117]

i didnt like the way he performed the toccata, however the fugue was somewhat better. if bach saw this though, i think he would slap the guy =D

[ZRgoga]

haha, he made mistake on 1:09

[ElConquistadora]

He must have the runs or something if he is going this fast..

[ChocoboAuCitron]

This is obviously not a very inspired performance of the Toccata, but Katsaris is still an amazing pianist.

[Barbetax]

Amazing tecnique. It seems like Katsaris wanted to end it as fast as possible

[qzdu67]

I hate it ...

this pieace can be so beautiful, you're right INQUISITION, i'ts a real massacre :-/

it's a shame 'cause the player must be a wonderful pianist, but here he plays a very bad version

[DeathOfTheDreams]

The sad thing is that this could sound so nice if he had played it differently :(

[INQUISITION11]

It's not a murder it's a massacre.

[trombonator90]

is this the video "how to rape bach"????????

don´t like it.....

[aquarioshinso]

HAH!!!! GIVE ME FIVE!!!! I DONT LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE'S WELL DAMN TOO GOOD FOR MY EYES TO WITNESS!!!! RESULTING MY HATRED TOWARDS HIM!!! HIGH FIVE BRO!!!! xDDDDDD

[sirvio666]

I think this is one of those cases where if Bach were watching, afterward he would walk up and play the exact same thing...but better...or worse...who the hell knows, he's dead.

[Shrike123311]

This is horrible. I have never heard any transcription of this piece mutilated so badly as to have the tune barely audible.

:/

[ElConquistadora]

WTF IS THIS SHIT!?!?

[pianosemigod]

1 of the 100 greatest pianists of last century.ignorance & education can't flow together...

[DaperDan8]

this really does border on musical vulgarity. messy. disturbing. ty

[joeyboi87]

i completely and utterly agree, it is horrendous, absolute rubbish

[pianosemigod]

i hope those people could play 10 bars from that piece.C.

[joeyboi87]

firstly i can play the whole piece my friend, secondly i would play it on the organ as it should be and thirdly i would play it at the right tempo with all the right bloody notes, this was horrific

[12of6]

R u sure this isn't a speed run, like in video games? Just a thought...

[funeslandia]

que groso este chabón!!!

[bossel100]

just terrible

[xMarcoMorettix]

Per favore! Tagliategli le mani!!!!

[lupenzo71]

anche i capelli:))

[hogrider9]

Glad I didnt pay to hear this.

Is there a 'right' speed to this piece of music? I do prefer it a lot slower mind. It just sounds a lot better and gives you time to appreciate it more.

[kike1603]

un payaso

[kuramas]

Don't like the fast interpretation either...

[legamature]

This man should be kept away from pianos, and any other musical instruments.

[y11971alex]

that is at least 2 times the original speed

[slayeroftheforest667]

in the epoque of baroque componists didn't add any tempo indications. something like "the original speed" doesn't exist in this music.

[ecthelion117]

a little sloppy

[DeliPastrami]

EPIC WINNNNNNNNNNNNN!

[Shroomey42013]

this guy needs to chill out with the speed, even tho it is amazing he can perform it at these speeds, it doesn't sound too good. He should lose the hair too. :)

[samsterjamster111]

good playing playing but very unprofessional performance.

[mmaskot]

He lost it again at 5.03 but so what?Katsaris is amazing pianist!!!Great technic ang great sound and everything in mysic!!!!!!!

[lars517]

he is good, but his interpretation was off

[PianoScience]

he messed up at 1:09

[twelve2001]

AMAZED 0_0

[electronicjo1]

filmed like a tru pirate video

[bliznjashki]

sometimes i think that such genial people are crazy!

[PokerJunkie916]

Why does everyone bag on him. YA its not the way bach played it but give the guy some credit, the fact that this guy can play this song nearly flawless that fast is amazing to me. YA the original is better but still this guy is rippin that piano to shred's.

[Gialuname]

There is no doubt that the pianist is talented, but I personally do not like his interpretation of this piece.  The mistakes made me cringe. Very sad.

[bluhdstool]

i 100% aggree

[pianofolle]

this performance SUCKS!!!! like manies of catsaris. on top of that, his interpretation style makes me throw up. and how much is he payed? SHAME

[jecian1978]

A long time ago I used to comment on this video, a rendiion of Bach's Toccata and Fugue. I'm so happy to see that most people still think it sucks. Fuck this clown Katsaris. Leave circus shit to the circus. Bach is Bach. He is legend. This crap is a circus performance.

[Tacitus87]

glad 2 have u back jecian.I see u still got your obsession with this performance

[Elvazur]

OOOH MY GOD !! :|

[gillygillman]

WTF ??????

[PianoScience]

Why on 00:10 he pulls shit costume

[3478591]

Why so fast......... Imagine that you play this piece on organ.... Why so much misteakes? WTF in 4:19 ?? 5:12? 5:32?? Bach, don't wake up please... Just RIP

[k545]

oh god:| bach must be spinning in his grave, why cant people play the original version not this virtuoso-mutilated variant that loses all its meaning? but nevertheless sweet technique!

[Cyndane]

Piano Hero? xD

[ShredmasteRsl3]

he's gone mad on this song!!!

[TheRiemannIntegral]

Homos who listen to Hip Hop, Rap, and country music (you know who you are) need to get the fuck off this video or get shot!

[madgaff]

anybody know where to find a recording of this or similar?tried itunes..

[jvance2230]

so nasty... i get that its really dramatic playing that fast.. but slow it down you can't appreciate the song if its so intense. this guy's an incredible player though. and it doesnt look like liszt

[gabdeusex]

THis looks some Liszt :)

I see the point is to make the piano sounds like some huge organ :)

= this aspect is achieved :)

= is this piece good for his hands : no

[Ntalikeris666]

FUCKED UP!

[Ntalikeris666]

the way he played it has nothing to do with the real piece for organ.

[mouchoss]

Comment y se la pète !!!