John Williams - Usher Waltz (Nikita Koshkin)

[Ruuly5]

This man is a freaking god!

[Michajeru]

John Williams is an astonishingly talented guitarist and musician. This is an incredible performance.

[callummc27]

only word possibly adequate to desribe it... Bitchin...

[DarthMohammed]

20 people are pretentious pricks.

[caliope256]

Nikita Koshkin gives dissonance a bad name. Horrid.

[OmegaLesPaul]

@caliope256 Do you know the story behind it? It's meant to be completely crazy, stop being pretentious.

[callummc27]

@caliope256 its based on a novel by edgar allan fegging poe, what were u expecting? a lyrical erection?

[MrCoday15]

@caliope256 I guess ignorance is bliss.

[maurorock445]

Hard piece to play

[DestroyerOfworlds47]

one day ill play this

[sohamohamed1000]

I think that you need someone to explaine..................... well............ simpely there are 2 John Williams................... one of them is a guitarist and the other is a pianist and both of them is great really

[Tokypunk]

I want to learn how to play that.

[KregorEight]

@Tokypunk It's an incredibly difficult piece, but extremely rewarding. The feeling that you get from playing through it, especially the chord section in Part 10 (I believe it's between bars 152-185) puts a grin on my face every time. And fortunately, that's one of the easiest parts to play (Part 11 makes up for it, though).

[classicalfede]

Is that a pizzicato? 4:10

[Gepduarsinful]

@classicalfede Bartok Pizzicato

[JesusFreakk11]

Never touching a guitar again..

[OmgSoBr00tal]

chaotically vivid. so haunting

[LUCADEMICXS]

i am leanring this song and i have a hard time getting down or at 1:00 - 1:07

its a VERY DIFICULT PIECE!

[KregorEight]

@LUCADEMICXS I agree that it is very difficult! To make sure you're doing it as simply as possible in that part, I would recommend striking the triplets (P,M,I) as opposed to trying to double up the thumb. Also, the simplest fingering is to use 1&4 for the first two sets of triplets, and 2&3 for the third set. This leaves 1 free to grab the melody note of the next chord. Also, keep in mind that the triplets on the E&B strings are the same shape as the ones on the D&G strings. Hope that helps!

[sophiaburns]

GORGEOUS, beautiful... BRAVO!

[DeathMetalRegulator]

SICK!

[criscami321]

uhhhhhhh increible no conocia esta faceta de john williams excelente!!!!!!!!

[ruiseartalcorn]

I've never been a big fan of classical style playing, however, John Williams is one of my favourite guitarists and always blows me away!!! This is absolutely brilliant!!! :)

Ruiseart.

[semicroma]

Best classical guitarist ever.

[kilajuve]

fantastic

[diazluisdiaz]

This is one of the best pieces and best interpretation of classical music

[kompik07]

flawless.

[newislandguitar]

nice music..gotta learn this one-glad the audio and vid are good quality.

[CrummyNails]

I have a beast live recording of this from paul hall, juilliard on my channel

[EverlastJazz]

@DominoRyder @DominoRyder This is not John Williams, the composer.

[JaredJMyers]

@DominoRyder hope thats a joke.

[minasgekos]

@DominoRyder haha, that reminds me the comment i read a while ago, saying that requiem for a dream by Mozart is underrated or something like that. No offense, a lot of people confuse the the two J. Williams.

[DylanCobb]

@DominoRyder I was more surprised that usher wrote a waltz.

[LySeRgIa2]

@DominoRyder Wrong John Williams -___- the John Williams you're thinking of went to Juliard, and plays piano, and can't play guitar at all.

[Tojiro06]

@DominoRyder LOL huge fail

[Venomancer86]

The greatest piece in history of music, played by the greatest of all guitarists = goosebumps!!! John Williams captures the true emotion of the story on that piece!

[r05333]

I'd give my left leg to play like that. That is a little joke. This music is not so hard. Is very beautiful, but not so hard. Etude 7 by villa lobos is a little plus hard. This music claims the latin way, but in a smooth playing. I mean, this is a little flamenco. I am wrong?

[XianXiuHong]

@r05333 What makes you think this is flamenco?

[gunnerblade]

@r05333 ....A piece by a Russian modern composer, inspired By an American romantic author with a taste for the macabre....you're gonna have to explain to me where the Flamenco comes in......

[MrSherlockHolmes221b]

On balance, probably the most technically gifted player alive. Wonderful tone, exquisite musicality. I would say I'd give my right arm to play like that, but then with one arm I would not even be as good as I am now. Thanks to whoever is responsible for uploading this.

[ditman333]

@MrSherlockHolmes221b I dont think this comment makes any sense lol

[Ewokhurl]

yay i can play this now :D

[mlipski]

Cavernous, ornately fresco-laden Taj Mahal thing: check.

Replete with marble pillars: check.

Purple: oh yea, check.

Mock turtleneck: hell yessity.

Net John Williams Content: 100%

[EverlastJazz]

@mlipski my applauses to you! : D

[guitaristdotcom]

@mlipski Funny.. :-)

[ThePiecone]

@mlipski

What manner of checklist are you consulting?

[ColinBurnside]

xxxxxxoooo

[Pikangu]

John Williams - Simply the best

[Alzdr]

Great piece!

[clearlynotstefan]

Now don't even think of starting a flame war, because It'd be a damn shame for something so petty as the stick up your ass to overshadow the many interesting comments on this great performance of a great piece. Have fun with guitar hero (as per your profile)... I'm done.

[link1nparkEEEwarrock]

John Williams is the master. Lets all bow to him...

[rawrgDX]

I envision a snooty rich people gathering with servants everywhere serving food and wine. ha Though, I think the name is referring to E.A. Poe's Fall of the House of Usher. Still, the vibe of the piece was very well conveyed by Williams.

[poupee58]

An excellent piece played brilliantly.

[Gareann]

Behold the power of the purple sweat-shirt.

This piece is "merveilleuse".

[manticore117]

stick some distortion on this and this would be the most metal thing in the planet :P

[Praseodymium59]

this piece is so metal you can even see john williams headbanging at some points

[ownzjo0]

how the hell did his guitar stay in tune through that o.o

[ownzjo0]

how the hell did his guitar stay in tune through that o.o

[orientalnegro]

My head just exploded

[eschelar]

What a great ending! Also enjoyed the brief melody on harmonics. I think I might just learn that one piece just for fun and throw it in to something else for a little variation.

[petruvai]

@Estonianwoodsman

Metal bands are usually technically amazing, but musically lacking. They tend to be in the early stages of learning about music theory and history. Most metal is based upon classical or early romantic era music traditions, such as Mozart, Beethoven, and maybe Paganini, etc. I have no quarrel with metal, I've just grown to appreciate modern classical music more, starting with Prokofiev and Stravinsky and stretching to Dyens, Corigliano, Koshkin, Rouse, etc.

[petruvai]

@johngolden

This piece was written for 6-string guitar in standard tuning. There is no alternate tuning in this piece.

@topdog2328

Standard tuning - Yes. Buy the music, it's not expensive and it's a great piece to have.

[topdog2328]

is this in standard tuning?

[xxBlazionxx]

@topdog2328 It is, indeed in standard..

[topdog2328]

oh man i just love all this dissonance and chromaticism

[MrDePinna]

My Friend Daniel can play this song like a boss

[MrDePinna]

This song makes me think of how my mind works

[gustnadox]

wow awesomee !!! fantastic :)

[ShaggyBox1]

My jaw litrally fell off during 4:18-4:34.

[johngolden]

I really liked it.

Does anyone know if this piece was originally composed for the Russian 7-string guitar? If so, I thought it was very difficult to make effective transcriptions for the 6-string because of the different tunings involved.

[EVETyrant]

This uses the same harmonic intervals and layering King Diamond uses.

[p00ner2010]

This sounds so evil, I feel like worshipping Satan.

[MileAjs]

I think he can give more spirit,don't you think? 

[Trcls]

this is way better than heavy metal. Dissonance from a classical guitar piece is better than sloppy guitar work masked by distortion effects

[Estonianwoodsman]

@Trcls there is very rarely sloppy guitar work in a good metal band.

[Trcls]

@Estonianwoodsman yeah. in a good metal band.

[gobacktorussia]

4:28 those are the clearest harmonics i have ever heard! beautiful piece, really exciting!

[kisskisshoneyhoney]

Koshkin's music is sadly under appreciated.

[diablolordz]

This is a very dark Waltz

[siththomas]

John Williams has made my life a lot better.

[focl2003]

Mine too.

[112358miau]

There's another vals, really circus music like, with disonant chords and a main line, really hard to play. I don't remember the name. It has harmonics too. Could somebody help me¿

[JeffNicho303]

@112358miau valse en skaï by roland dyens?

[112358miau]

@JeffNicho303 I LOVE YOU. That's it! Thanks!!

[metsoforte]

Chopin on LSD

[daytimecloudsurfer]

haunting... like classical tool.

[annaisjesus]

@daytimecloudsurfer hahhah that's the funniest description. So true

[baloneje]

Este video fue filmado en el castillo de asturias en espana es un dvd increible! la mayoria de piezas esta aqui en utube

[laszlosirsom]

AWESOME MUSIC!!!!

[Frior21Aikanaro]

De donde es este video? Si es un dvd, cual es el titulo? Gracias.

[focl2003]

John Williams in the Alcázar Palace

[TheJester1962]

May I ask why this should fall under "Comedy"? Surely, it's based on one of Poe's best horror stories, "The Fall of the House of Usher"... superb timing and a colourful, eerie tonal palette, btw. Long live JW!

[Benj888]

Most other classical players' even the good ones. Would fuck this up. John is pure emotion.

[vikingthrone345]

flawless victory

[JagaN8kami]

@vikingthrone345

Like every piece John plays xD

[clearlynotstefan]

I've finally got this piece sounding good, it's the next vid i'll be putting up... but how do I go about renting a palace to film it in!?

[xSnoweyexp]

@clearlynotstefan renting?? :P just go to a empty church

[clearlynotstefan]

@xSnoweyexp

I believe playing this piece IN a church would surely open the gates of hell and start the apocalypse

[xSnoweyexp]

@clearlynotstefan well wouldnt that be a fuckin nice videoclip :D:D:D

[guitarstrike]

@clearlynotstefan

why?

[MrGayItUp]

@clearlynotstefan lol.

[clearlynotstefan]

@ditman333 Hey boss, that's called a joke, you see... the song projects beauty through a ton of dissonance. My comment plays on the belief that playing such an evil song in a church would bring about mayhem. It was a reply to a previous post, which I'm sure you saw. Difference between us is I can sit with my classical and play this piece beginning to end... and you, play guitar hero... BTW, when playing in a church, it's reverb your looking for, not echo...echo=bad...reverb=good.­..got it?

[LowKeyFloa]

@clearlynotstefan only if hell was a circus haha

[LeonidArgail]

@clearlynotstefan

It is not church but mauritan palace of Alhambra in Granada, Spain. You should know this!

[clearlynotstefan]

@LeonidArgail Re-read the comments... I didn't say this was a chuch... I actually said its a palace.. Then joked about filming my own video and needing to find a palace to do so. Someone said use a church, then I made a joke about the disastrous effects doing so might cause. Just a big understanding you see...

[clearlynotstefan]

@LeonidArgail Re-read the comments... I didn't say this was a chuch... I actually said its a palace.. Then joked about filming my own video and needing to find a palace to do so. Someone said use a church, then I made a joke about the disastrous effects doing so might cause.

[poupee58]

Such an amazing and musical guitarist .Simply phenomenal.Williams makes this piece sound so exciting,in lesser hands it can be such a bore.

[Okeefish]

hmmm... I think that John Williams is a too calm spirit to fully extract the madness and aggressivity of this piece. I prefer Alexander Frauchİ's interpretation rather than this one !

[digittydog]

This is the best I've heard this piece played.  Any other performances of it that are recomended listening?

[dsilver010010]

jesus i bet acoustics are fun to play in a room like that

[judasfan]

only today was I introduced to this masterpiece!. My my!!....the piece is admirable as is his player of course, the great John williams. Koshkin is truly a genius! And he got inspiration from one of my all time favourite authors, Mr Edgar Allan Poe. A true delight, the player, the musical piece and the inspiration. Koishkin should be requirred listening.

Thank you Everlast Jazz for this upload

[cdavidaa]

John Williams is the best ever

[FiatObscuritas]

nop

[Alceste1977]

You told me to name the maestro hence I named him. It was hardly name-dropping. I am finding this tedious so I suggest you grow up or failing that troll someone else because I won't be responding to any more of your infantile posts.

[TheTriptico]

@Alceste1977 Yes I did, but you ended up dropping names. I'tsd as simple as this, Music is so much more that just a dance or a song. Mr.Bonell's idea is that music is ESSENTIALLY a song or a dance. I totaly understand that. So don't make statements that reduces music to being just a "dance or a song." That is so moronic of you. You do all the growing up despite your old age and all the research so you stand a chance on this kind of arguement.

[Alceste1977]

Good to realize you have finally understood my point.

I don't think you should go around calling other guitarists inferior though since your own efforts are not really impressive.

[TheTriptico]

@Alceste1977 I also don't think you should be making statements based on somebody's own statement all the time. Even if it's Mr.Bonell or Julian Bream or Segovia or who ever. There is so much area that music covers and to think outside the box is always necessary. I admire all the musicians I've mentioned, I even own a book written by Mr.Bonell. If my own efforts are not really impressive, show me your efforts so I may see how you do an "impressive" job.

[TheTriptico]

@Alceste1977 and there are millionbs of musicians in the world try to consider their oppinion and you will be more enlightened. Don't you realize that you are stuck with Mr.Bonell's statement? You will not respond because you have nothing left. Your musical knowledge is inferior than mine. You are just too proud you heard Mr.Bonell spoke that's why you think you know everything and that your knowledge about music is outstanding. I bet if Mr.Bonell said that the guitar has only 1 string yul agree

[thejugglenaut91]

i think, if it's correct that Carlos Bonell actually said that, then he is gravely mistaken. Even looking at the most formal of music, J.s. bach for instance, the majority of his instrumental works were neither cantatas(songs are strictly with sung words btw) nor dances. I mean, how do you explain a fugue or a passacaille?

[Alceste1977]

Modern music is less reliant on the formalism of the past but I would thinking of people like Shoenberg or Cage. These are composers whose music could not possibly be reduced to a song/dance binarism.

The performance point that Bonell was making (you ignored this and went straight on to mouthing off) is that if you are playing a dance then imagine people trying to dance to it! A bloody good point! But then you already know everything don't you?

[TheTriptico]

@Alceste1977 once again, "essentialy" your statement is good as saying "necessarily" a song or a dance. that's why I bet mr.Bonell will never say such a dumb statement like what you claim. Your a typical english, won't accept your mistake despite having your self telling you that you are wrong. or rather "bloody wrong" hahaha and me knowing everything? guess not, but certainly better than you. Now if you still can't undersatnd my point then that's none of my "BLOODY" problem. hahahahaha!

[Alceste1977]

Why have you quoted essentially yet spelled it essentialy? I was there when Bonell said it, you weren't. Yet you still have the audacity to say I am simply wrong. You're some misguided troll, you haven't even got my nationality right. So to try and insult me by calling me "typically English" is not only a stereotype but completely inaccurate. Incidentally, by resorting to a stereotype you have undermined your own argument regarding defining music: game over, you lose but thanks for playing.

[TheTriptico]

@Alceste1977 stupid, that's obviously a typo. how did I loose? you don't even know what you are talking about. Your'e always doing nothing but name dropping. nothing but mr.Bonell. c'mon don't you have any knowledge that you can defend without the name Mr.Bonell. And I'm not playing with you. Better research before you make statements. or should I say "copy" sombody else's statement.

[uncjim]

BRAVO! BRAVO!!

[Atienne01]

Wow thats the first time iv'e ever seen that and john williams definatly puts it to justice.

[hyperqueenhzm]

john williams is as perfect a guitar player can get, idc wat you think, he is! lol

[hyperqueenhzm]

this is my favorite song that he plays! the evil part plays at 3:00. and i like at 4:20. awsome!!! :P

[rolandonavarro]

Sin lugar a dudas, el No. 1 del mundo en este momento. Para muestra un botón

[Semibrucelee]

Jesus it looks like a fun piece to play aha.

Anyone can tell me how, at 4:25, you play these notes, or what are they called?

[what567]

Natural harmonics, basically you touch the string directly over a fret but don't press it down to play them.

[luppo3]

These are natural harmonics. You should play them without pressing the strings to the fretboard, but only touching them lightly with the fingers of the left hand. These notes are on certain positions only, they are not everywhere. There are also artificial harmonics, but they are a bit harder.

[Alceste1977]

The notes at the start are artificial harmonics but then you probably know that ; )

[luppo3]

It's just hard for me to find the exact word or phrase in english.

[RandomHero993]

actually, natural harmonics are everywhere on the fret board, just some are a hell of a lot easier than others to acheive.

[FiatObscuritas]

falta más pasión...

a mi no me miren!

lo dijo el mismo koshikin ;)

[njevren]

you would wish to have his guitar poupee

[poupee58]

Nice playing,now if only JW played a real Guitar not this australian piece of junk.

[macmanue]

Don't be so ignorant. Australian guitars are among the best in the world. This Smallman is no piece of junk. The latest models are extraordinarily beautiful.

So are Eugene Philp and Ian Kneipp guitars

[ilkovsky]

What is your problem, fool?

[poupee58]

John Williams if fantastic ,amazing but sorely needs to buy himself a proper Guitar with a natural guitar sound .Come on John you know,Fleta ,Ramirez ,Bernabe, Raya Pardo ,Antonio Marin ,Romanillos ,Loriente etc.

[njevren]

lol after i watched this is was like "wtf lol" absolutely perfect..

[ChildovGhad]

This is probably my most favorite solo guitar composition ever. Beautiful, Exquisite. This particular performance is the most masterful i've heard. Thanks for posting it.

[GothicCountryFan]

My favourite dissonant song ever.

[Alceste1977]

It's a dance.

[miguelpowermetalfull]

exelente interpretasion que maestro!!!!!

[MelasChupa]

Esta pieza me cambio la vida.

[zicekanelo]

por que?

[MelasChupa]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!

[Pjotrr84]

This video is shot at the Alhambra isn't it?

[ClassenGuitars]

this song is good up to the 5th page.

[srterwin2]

AMAZING PIECE!!! thanks for posting!

[MironichevMusic]

One of my favorite pieces! Koshkin is the genius of our days

[indagdnm]

He is my favorite classical guitarist. His control and musicality are unmatched.

[clearlynotstefan]

@indagdnm - indagdnm - i have to disagree, his control is certainly unmatched, his musicality leaves much to be desired!

[what567]

His musicality leaves much to be desired? Are you listening to the same thing that I am?

[Alceste1977]

Arrrghh, I am so sick of this tripe. I heard someone say that he is a little "too perfect" - balls! If that's the worst criticism you can levy at someone then I, for one, would accept it. He doesn't contort and groan like he needs more fibre in his diet: his fingers on the strings communicate everything. He may lack some of the passion that fleshes out flamenco style pieces but in Baroque (and this piece) he is nonpareil.

[clearlynotstefan]

Yes, I am, I feel he plays like a midi file. I regard him as one of the finest players alive, but his flaw is his feel... Listen to Partington's take on this piece, I prefer it to this. You of course are welcome to your own opinion :-D

[what567]

You think Williams sounds like midi? I don't think your ears are working properly.

[clearlynotstefan]

@what567 Clearly we disagree... I have listened extensively to Williams, and I said to me, it sounds too mechanical... I still acknowledge him to be one of the best players alive, don't know what you want me to say... you have your opinions, and I have mine... I don't need to insult your ears haha

[veam0007]

Acabo de leer "La caída de la casa Usher", y me pareció increible la composición de Koshkin...

Y qué decir de la maravillosa interpretación de John Williams.

[clearlynotstefan]

I have finally finished working on this piece, it took me months to get right!

[MisterGuroo]

LOL, I play it everyday for weeks now. I wonder why I got this addicted to this song.

[clearlynotstefan]

@MisterGuroo I have moved on to other pieces, but am so afraid of forgetting this, after putting in so many hours I play it every single day!

[Estonianwoodsman]

you can play this. I hope to one day be able to play the glory that is the usher waltz. can you play it well? what is your background?

[Slayeroid]

i think i saw this video thousands of times by now, never gets old.

[focl2003]

I agree

[violeiroandante]

Bravo!!!