Kyung-Wha Chung plays Bach "Chaconne" from Partita No. 2 for solo violin BWV 1004 - Part I

[aimson]

Surprisingly good performance. Normally I can't stand the bland and impersonal way many violinists seem to approach the chaconne (e.g., Hahn/Szeryng/Grumiaux). It is not a "showpiece" to impress your friends or a mathematical formula to be cracked either - it is a deeply personal expression of meaning. Chung displays that well, though with some superfluous fluff not to my liking. But during the times she plays honestly, the results are very good. Unfortunately, she misses the voices singing.

[fmarcos7]

BTW, the first 5 notes tells everything about the rest of the performance.

[fmarcos7]

She is talented and she is good. But in my opinion (who cares) she did not understand the "Ciaconna" message. And in my opinion this is clear in her performance. Compare her performance with Jascha, Itzhak and Isabelle Faust, among others.

[surfboy]

Her Zigineurviesen is the best!

[pagisubuh]

agreed with mate!!.this version among at the top list of choconne

[alittlejasmine]

It is so rich and intensive, so inspiring! The best version ever for Chaccone!!!

[themusicdr]

love this version of chaconne

ms chung on v good form here

[pinball2734]

I don't know about you but I tend to listen to every possible version of my favourite music and then decide who's best, at least for me. No doubt, Chaconne is one of many. And of course I tried but I'm still torn between K.W. Chung, Y. Menuhin and C. Ferras and I can't decide it, which is quite unusual. They all are great musicians in different ways. I may have to let it be that way.

Who's your favourite, by the way?

[magicsparkleviolin]

@pinball2734 Hillary Hahn's version of the partitas and sonataas is very very good!

[ecodino]

Being a Chaconne enthusiast, I place her performance at the top. I was lucky to get this LP 20 years ago. I listened and listened over and over again for the last twenty years. No part is played without her structured interpretation of the whole piece. I hear not only the incredible power, depth and strength of her inner space but also the despair, frustration and hardship that one has gone through. What about the heavenly joy from the major key part? It is a true epic.

[danijmay]

@ecodino I see what you mean - she has a grand scope of this piece, which naturally gives her performance dynamic intelligence and uniqueness. It's so supremely listenable because of this! One of my favorites now - along with Milstein, Hahn, and Fischer respectively.

[danijmay]

@danijmay And Grumiaux! I thought there was another ...

[TempoFurioso]

who would have thought? it was a year ago when I watched a dvd of her playing some romantic period concerto... i did not like it, and never listened to her again... and why i saw this among the list, i even hesitated to listen to it, but I am glad i did... her chaconne is epic... maybe she;s for fitted for baroque pieces

[servant1004]

This is one of the hardest pieces.

This was played when she was around 24-25 years old.

I wish I can hear her playing this piece these days.

Thank you so much for posting.

[nocoincidence59]

I've just listened to this piece by Nathan Milstein. I think I like Chung's version better. Her violin seems singing and her sound is more richly textured.

[nocoincidence59]

Thank you very much for sharing this. I will look for this. She is amazing! I love Bach, but this is the first time I've heard Bach on a solo violin.

[frankcisyarmi]

impresionante !!!!!!!!para tocado ayer

[RIPLEYvsALIENS]

I have listened to her performance of this piece more than any other violinist. She is

fantastic!

[thebloads]

I wonder how she manages to generate such an epic and lush symphonic quality

[violinmusicfan]

by the way, when was this recorded?

[SCH0P3NHAU3R]

This was recorded in 1974

[DHcello]

Between Szigeti die(1972) have only 2 year!

[vlhere]

when my friend first saw Kyungwha Chung he thought it was my mother playing violin...lol.....both look very similar...I wish she still plays like Perlman and others.

[violinmusicfan]

What do you mean by you "wish she still plays like perlman and others"? Just interested to know about what you think of her later playing.

[vlhere]

I mean she no longer gives tours and concerts unlike Perlman( of her age) who still travels extensively. I heard shes joined the fauculty of Juilliard.

[violinmusicfan]

Yeah, its a pity about that finger injury of hers. .

[fagiano5678]

Great!

[OriginalMoonbeam]

Very nice!!!! Love her!

[violinmusicfan]

Thank you so much! :)

[juzo95]

wow!