Guillou BACH Fugue in D major St Eustache

[jsnauwaert]

Messy. Too nervous. He doesn't let breathe the notes. One indeed has constantly the impression of desintegration.

[ilt201]

As did J.S.Bach, Jean Guillou always have fun surprising his audience with new sonorities, new sounds during the same piece. Few organists have the creativity or go to the effort to do that. That's why his music is captivating, magic and makes the organ the most beautiful; "the king of all the instruments".

[ORGANISER61]

This man is a legend.....His interpretation is masterful....there are few who go close to showcasing both the music and the instrument on which it is played. Get out of your pompous ivory towers and enjoy it for what it is.....how boring can you be ....why should we be spoon fed performances that adhere to the personal bias of staid academics. Stunning.

[santiagoblues]

LA TOCA DE OSIOSO xo

[TheCatedral]

L'une des meilleures sans aucun doute, avec cette pensée symphonique si géniale.

Superbe.

[OrganoAeternam]

He is of the French Symphonic School of organ technique and interpretation. I enjoyed it because he adds a lot of French character to Bach. He took Bach's fugue and made it his own....how he feels it in his head. This man is a genius even if this is a less than "historic" performance.

[OrganPianoMusic]

This goes to everybody who is saying he can't play bach and is messing around with weak stops and so on...

If you translate what he's saying in the beginning, you would know that this is more a "education"-performance to demonstrate the position of the subject and contrasubject within the piece. He uses this 2 keyboards to show the specific positions and how they relate to each other!

I hope this clears thing up. This man is a genius! -Friedrich

[kknots]

XD I can't stand it!

I just freaked out and laughed out loudly at 3:03

He's like a clown, making fun of organ music

Guillou messed Bach up badly... >:(

[Erikk91]

@kknots you are right...parts are out of syncro...and stops are confusionary...

[amedeo291]

estremamente bello e piacevole da ascoltare

[robertgift]

Many times he comes in late.

Fantastic performance!

[marcocatenazzi]

FANTASTICO....è un grande, praticamente raggiunge la perfezione assoluta.

[Katamanteuomos]

Oui.. un tableau grotesque. Je l'adore. L'habilete divine avec une pratique constante: "Et voila, j'y vais faire une fugue de Bach svp.."

[mortson978]

Funny, I catch all manner of hell for playing bach with my heels.

[19shea85]

I am not posting my video of this piece to suggest that I do it better. I've just never posted any videos before and I thought this would be a good way to get some helpful feedback. Thanks :-)

[Corpsdenuit]

Guillou faithful to himself. You like it or no. Keep in mind his clean technique with minimalist movements, as all organist should be able. So rare now, I appreciate !

[Phaare]

THAT wasn't Bach! I have respect for his age. 2/5

[paulbinko]

I think Guillou will be 80 years old this year. God Bless him!

[MEPPO06]

Then the sooner he retires the better. Just a shame that all his pupils play exactly like him (so much for creativity), so his way of doing this will be around for a a while yet.

[rasrames]

@MEPPO06 If his pupils perform or play as he does, then they should all have careers performing.  Oh, and you are obviously a psycho idiot!

[Erikk91]

he could have a dazzling technique but it is an objective thing that the 4 parts are out of synchro . i am not talking of personal interpretation but of rythm.

[jmcalhoun]

Guillou's registrations and playing are, perhaps, unconventional when one thinks of the restraints placed on the instrument by academicians, but clearly he is a master both as a composer and musician. I am captivated by his trailblazing ideas for an instrument that is on the decline in American circles. In my opinion, he brings a breath of fresh air to the stuffiness of it all, in much the same way that Virgil Fox and others did. Note perfect performances tend to be very boring. Guillou = life.

[thonyus]

@jmcalhoun There is a difference between "not boring" and "good". I would say that a plane crash is not boring, but neither is it good. This performance is not boring at all; it is shockingly exciting, rather like a plane crash. I would rather sit on the ground, bored, than be caught up in the excitement of a plane crash. I would also rather hear a performance that doesn't feel like it is disintegrating with every note, even if it is too "correct" for your taste.

[mmtrebuchet]

@thonyus By "Plane crash," are you referring to 7:03?

Personally, I like this version of the fugue, but not when I'm in the mood for Bach. I have to be in the mood for something romantic.

-MMTrebuchet

[maestro543]

IDIOTS how you can say something like that?!? Greatest organist in Paris..You unable assess personality of classical music art..

[gzaenker]

yes, maestro543. there are lots of idiots out there. they cannot even appreciate the incredible beauty of this organ and the Master who plays it is like a lover to the organ. So, it is hard to go to YouTube and discard somehow these stupid comments, because it hurts.

[MEPPO06]

Guillou the greatest organsist in Paris. Pull the other one.

[Erikk91]

is this performance a little bit confused, isnt it? stops arent chosen well i think , it sounds confusing

[VonDuesenberg]

Crétin...

[inflate98]

This man's playing is utter crap. I have heard him, and he is nothing more than a semi-talented hack.

[gzaenker]

and what are you?

[gzaenker]

I shouldn't even talk to you. But I must say that if you cannot tolerare the brillianace and lucidy of him, then you are sick. So, be sick until you break up.

[inflate98]

Brilliance? Lucidity? He can't even keep a proper tempo! He appears not to care at all about playing the proper notes, and just runs his hands over the keys in a rush, hoping no one will notice how badly he is mangling the work of the composer.

He should retire from the stage. He is an insult to the art.

[gzaenker]

wow! this man is incredible. The intonation and fluidity of this complex piece is an example of absolute mastery and insight.

[jlaurson]

@gzaenker intonation on an organ should be the easy part.

[asfiut]

in poche parole(perche qui le parole non servono) meraviglioso, superbo.

[ryorgan]

If you could speak french you would have received a good explanation of what made Bach different from his contemporaries. He used uncommon registrations and really explored the possibilities of the pedal in his renditions. Where his contemporaries were predictable, he wasn't. That's what made Bach, Bach.

[ds1868]

Yes there is no doubt that he asked many questions and explored all possibilities. He would have loved all the resources available today.

[gzaenker]

Yes, I read comments below like '..this man is crazy.,..' He is extremely gifted and has the most profound insight. An absolute Master. We are blessed that we can listen to him. Thanks YouTube!!

[inflate98]

You clearly have no ear for music. Guillou is a miserable musician.

[gzaenker]

but you didn't answer my question. What are you? Can you go inside of yourself and honestly appraise your self and come forward with a straight answer, and even it is bitter, you must accept it.

[inflate98]

I am a man with an ear for music. I know when I hear something transcendent - and when I don't. Guillou has his fans, clearly, but if you really know and love music, you will turn away from this monster. His students play his own compositions better than he.

[VonDuesenberg]

And you a miserable bilious hemoroïd, end yourself ...

[inflate98]

LOL...that's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Seriously.  Thank you!

[VonDuesenberg]

It was a pleasure, really.

[gzaenker]

I love him ,and the French language

[MoorOfDundee]

Pretty Incredible...Wonderful!

[Mystep]

He talks too much.

[SuperElBorba]

AMEN!!!

[organman52]

Wrong. You don't like listening.

[codeman2008]

It makes me wish I spoke French!

[bergamote61]

Parce que le discours de chaque voix est très bien rendu. Interprété avec des phrasés subtils et très bien sentis et qui donnent beaucoup de relief et de sens à cette magnifique musique.Merci Mr Guillou.

[Organistcomposer21]

@bergamote61 Magnifiquement bien dit. C'est d'ailleurs pour les raisons que vous avaient citées que j'aime tant les interpretations de Jean Guillou.

[rits92]

uma performance excelente... impressionante...

[Rankett16]

It was no accident -- LOL -- you mean "accent". Neither was it a problem of sound delay; he is very used the acoustics of St. Eustache. No, it was his way of "improving" Bach just as he did with Widor. He has always done this and it is a fixed part of his musical character, for good or ill, I'm not saying , but it causes me to avoid his performances generally.

[knauer02]

@Rankett16

You are absolutely right! I dont like his performance either! It seems he wants to impress with speed and somehow mask sloppyness. He doesn't understand the charakter of Bach or the way his work is suppose to sound... Reminds me of a circus organ on a country fair...

[trevjr]

I love this fugue. the subject is fascinating, these types of fugues are rare for Bach but they are always interesting. Yes this guy he probably crazy but he is a great organist. I enjoy his playing alot.

[Guilloufan]

Now, this is GREAT.

all negative comments aren't musically

Guillou can play it as it must be

greetings

[rgeraredz]

This man is crazy.

[friedrichsacher]

Pourquoi?

[yelsaldier]

his timing is slightly off but he plays very musically so i dont mind it at all

[alexandria2224]

Felix Hell plays this one on youtube. His timing if perfect and he says it is one of his favorites.

[robertgift]

Fun piece.

His timing is off in my places.

Or is he affected by a delay in the organ?

(That really upsets my playing since I am not used to it and I listen to myself.)

Still a nice performance.

Would like to hear the whole work.

[Silverdaddy101]

I was never fond of this particular P&F, but Guillou plays this so well, and musically.

Like his crazy hair even more.

[christiancolard]

Est ce que c'est un orgue?Comment dites-vous...? Ah! Un accélérateur Van de Graaaafff La mise à la masse doit être défectueuse...

[benjamp]

Mon grand père a été l'architecte chargé de restaurer St Eustache à une époque, et il a dû faire démonter entièrement l'orgue parce que la tribune s'affaissait sous le poids du mastodonte. lol. Guillou avait fait rajouter d'autre jeux peu avant . Je pense que c'est à cause de ça qu'il a sa calvitie! lol

[lutheranorthodoksi]

This is a great performance! Thank you very much for the post.

Merci beaucoup. C'est magnifique! J'adore l'instument et le joueur. Un peu trop vite, mais ça va. Encore, Merci pour ça.

[Caocao8888]

Yes, the hesitations or delayed beats in the countersubject are a little offputing. It might be because of the way the sound is perceived by the performer in the echo chamber of this large space and/or because of the sound delay from the pipes to the keyboard. The sound of the Baroque, though, is much more of a joyful noise than we take for granted with today's more sterile approach to music.

[paulbinko]

Had the honor and pleasure of meeting him last week in Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas at the University of North Texas. What a joy to hear him play and be a part of his master class audience. Still going at age 78! A memorable event!!

[Organiste06]

Oh, you're so luuuuuucky !

[A121273]

M. Guillou plays this very well, with all the joy and energy that it evokes, I would find it unbearable to listen to it if it was played slow. I can only begin to imagine the emotions that Bach felt when he wrote his music. I have a score of this one at home, and it is not directed to be played largo or largamente at all.

[joeyboi87]

his playing is horribly fast

[asgjdas]

I think its definitely an interesting rendition. Its shocking how many notes were played incorrectly. Thats not like him at all. I am playing a concert in a month in which I am playing this piece. I think I will post it, and will welcome comments!

[vinniecaruso]

i think this is better than the virgil fox recording on youtube to be honest. no doubt fox has talent beyond belief but he kinda kills the music sometimes. i think the diane bish video of this piece on youtube is the best

[musicistarompipalle]

Io preferisco tra i due Virgyl Fox, almeno lui sapeva di combinar cazzate, ma al solo fine di far divertire il suo pubblico ( e ci riusciva benissimo!). Il pagliaccio di Guillou invece ha costituito una sua scuola con dei principii ben chiari e purtroppo una serie di seguaci convinti delle sue posizioni. Ciao!

[musicistarompipalle]

Basta saper suonare in modo chiaro e tutta la polifonia di Bach scaturisce spontaneamente con una freschezza sorprendente. Non serve quindi utilizzare 10 tastiere diverse e fare numeri circensi per valorizzare Bach. Chi fa come il pagliaccio qui sopra è solo un povero esibizionista!

[afertyus1000]

he looks like the vampire out of nosferatu! it has that type of music as well and also i think there are vampires in paris-i saw one on the metro years ago!

[TommyTulpe7]

A true master of organ music.

But notice his feet. He's not playing the baroque style.

[johnsteven51]

For that matter nor are his fingers. He's using modern fingerings. Why do so many organists who insist that all toes is required in Bach Pedal playing, have no objection to modern fingerings? Bach is known to have developed a more legato style of playing than was the custom before his time. That required pedaling with heels and more use of the thumb in fingerings. CPE Bach said his father advocated a variety of fingerings (and presumbably pedalings as well) depending on the intent of the music.

[joeyboi87]

it certainly is somethig people seem to believe, that baroque organists mainly used toes, that i dont personally believe is true however there is a lot of toe work in bach and buxtehude

[beckerpwnsyou]

you think THIS is fast???!!? listen to Virgil Fox play it. I still think this guy sounds fine though. different interpretations...

[Fozzymaple]

Agreed, Guillou is just fine, Fox had a nasty little habit of playing things too fast, and with somewhat crazy registrations, Guillou is better than Fox in that respect. Not much beats hanging out with good ol' uncle Jean on a boring Thursday night (lol). I did notice he was using his heels, it's not really that great a sin, he isn't attempting to be J.S. Bach, he is being Guillou playing Bach, just don't let Koopman see hi might fall on his tush in front of the Silbermann having a heart attack.

[johnsteven51]

Now that we have access to East Germany there is a developing body of evidence indicating that Bach could and probably did use heels. The idea of no heels came about as research before the wall fell. Anyone who has ever played this piece knows it is virtually impoosible to do with all toes. Unless you play so slow that the audience would die of boredom.

[johnsteven51]

I don't think this is fast. I find it a very reasonable tempo. I studied with Anthony Newman, he played it fast.

[organmaster1989]

I don't think Guillou is a good Bach player. I heard several pieces of him but Bach is almost always not good.

He is Rithmic unstable, awful registrations and the wrong tempo. His play isn't well balanced... But still impressive if you can play it so fast.

[THEDon2900]

VERY WELL played. I like it! its a fun piece to play. Now if you really want to get picky tho and it might b fun for u to try! is in you pedal part dont used your heels. raise you bench. You would b suprised how much differany it sounds (for the better) very wondrful tho.. i loved it... i just wanted to pass on somthing my profesor always tells me!

[handelfan610]

but doesn't playing the heels make it easier if you are playing fast like that? i've always wondered...i haven't started playing music liket this yet...but i want to.

[cdkorn]

It's a Van den Heuvel organ, 101 stops

[Brandotuomikoski]

looks like a cavalie coll organ. When was this built?

[keraulophone]

It was built by a Dutch organbuilder, Van den Heuvel, in 1989.

[MrQuebec]

Guillou n'est jamais ennuyeux.

[meuccifilippo]

I don't think it's a play back trick.

this performance is rithmic unstable.

the theme and the counter theme are not well separated sometimes since first measures.

[klizmophil]

Is it my impression that it's rhythmically a bit unstable? Or is it just the acoustics play the trick? Could not tell.

A standard tempo though... I have never heard this fugue slower than this.

[elenisofia]

yes, it's really unstable rhythmically, in my opinion.

[bamed10]

yeah, It's like he's trying to rush through it to get it over with. So many Bach pieces sound much better when played at a slower tempo. There are a number of good examples of this piece played at slower tempos on YouTube. Still, if I could play that fast I'd be pretty damn happy with myself.

[skyler6290]

I positively adore this fugue - - such joy and verve from start to finish. Love how Guillou takes it at such an energetic tempo - - hate when I hear this stunning piece played at near funeral dirge timing occasionally. This is marvelous - - and of course the superb Dutch instrument in the Cavaille-Coll manner. Guillou has that marvelous sort of "Einstein" look about him - probably that genuis thing going on there.

[vinniecaruso]

yeah i agree with you 100%. I love how this man plays it as well as Virgil Fox and Diane Bish. It's such a joyous piece and yet it seems these three people are the only ones who play it with such speed and joy. I hate that "funeral speed" as you put it too. It bugs the hell out of me.

[paulbinko]

Not bad for 78 years old!

[Orguedu22]

@paulbinko in not "not bad" is very very good :)

[paulbinko]

@Orguedu22 - yes, yes, yes - it is very good!

[joeyboi87]

bit too fast though

[organgrinderpgh]

Nonsense!

[melman74b]

I disagree as well. This piece was meant to be played fast.

[ptrams2005]

This piece is much easier and more comfortable to play fast

[jmeister321684]

Jean Guillou a beau avoir été vu comme dépassant les limites par certains dans son originalité, mais il restera toujours avant tout génial! (et sympathique, comme on peut voir sur cette vidéo!) JW

[jeanseborg]

Me too! He maybe appears strange musically, but he creates his own interpretation of music and I'm in the way of understanding it! But it takes a lot of time for that!!!

[fluteceleste]

I love his hair ;o)

[afertyus1000]

he's the vampire out of the nosferatu film