I am an old retired professional violist, teacher, composer, performer, choirmaster and organist. Each instrument has its difficulties and challenges. However, when given serious thought, the viola and double bass are the hardest of the string instruments. They are not built acoustically well, not proportionally, you need unusually large hands to play them well and comfortably, its not comfortable, responds slowly, doesn't have the great literature written for as do the violin or cello, not glamorous or virtuosic, finding a really well sounding instrument is extremely rare. However, many great composers loved and preferred to play the viola especially because of its meditative introspection and its ability to color and control the harmonies of a string ensemble. Its a challenge to compose for it and the double bass. But it can be very rewarding to play these two instruments.
Hello Sarum, Thank you for this wealth of information. My son is learning how to play this instrument. He's having a hard time learning how to play, but it adamant about learning. Now I know to be more patient with him since this instrument is somewhat hard to play. Thank you once again!
After hearing Simone Libralon's superb performance this may be the last time that I tell a Violist Joke: A violin student asked his teacher for advice on ways to keep his instrument from being stolen. "Well one thing you can do," replied the teacher, "is to keep your violin in a viola case."
Oh how wonderful, that is...the viola, and one that has become my absolute favorite of all the stringed instruments... Such a magnificent instrument, and the artist, of course...THANK YOU!!!...THANK YOU!!!....THANK YOU!!!!....
Finally, sane, reasonable, rational, well and authentically played, logical and beautifully played and presented. Outstanding in every respect! THIS is exactly how they should be played and sound! Unhurried and excellent in tempi. Supremely musical and artistic. Perfection!
Actually, they should often be played an octave lower than we hear here on the instrument for which they were actually written; but point well taken. This is a very good performance.
I do. Hands down. I just love the tone of the viola. Leave it to bach to write music only for it. The poor ol viola just don't get the recognition it so deserves
La technique d'archer me parait se rapprocher de la technique baroque avec abscence de vibrato et un tempo très libre et des doubles ou triples cordes arpègées . Après la surprise , on se met à apprécier la beauté du timbre de l'alto et la musicalité de l'interprétation . Bravo !
Bach is eternal , gift from the above to all of us. Loved him from the musical school and forever since. He is a god. thank you for this extrtaordinary rendition. Made my day.
Brilliant decision to perform these suites on viola, matched by brilliant performances! I am grateful to Maestro Libralon for his virtuosity, and to brilliant Classics for this upload.
I am very familiar with the violin and cello, but the viola has always evaded any serious reflection on my part. However, my daughter came home today, surprising me with the possibility she'll take up viola in her school orchestra. So the timing of this post is pretty impeccable. Thanks, UA-cam! These suites are lovely. I think I need more viola in my life!
The cello (what I play) is more closely related to the viola (same tuning, only an octave down) than to the violin, Personally, I prefer the tone quality of the viola to that of the violin.
Wunderschöne und detaillierte Interpretation dieser sechs perfekt komponierten Suiten in verschiedenen Tempi mit seidigem doch mildem Ton der technisch fehlerlosen Solobratsche und mit künstlerisch kontrollierter Dynamik. Alles ist faszinierend!
Just fantastic! I am listening to your Bach and the peace that was evading me is coming over me... thank you so much!! And I see those Baroque dances so well now!!
Thank you, BC, for this exquisite recitation of such tonal beauty. Maybe I'm not alone in thinking that the Viola, although such a lovely instrument, is often somehow lost in most full orchestral performances, even though a vital part. This recording is wonderful, therefore.
grazie Brilliant Classics per questa fantastica registrazione , sono sorpreso di quanto suoni avvincente un'interpretazione delle suite per violoncello su una viola d'amore ! saluti di Salisburgo
Una ejecución extraordinaria sin discusión alguna. Misma afinación que el violoncello contemporaneo excepto para la suite 6 (violoncello picolo 5 cuerdas) transcripción increible sin requerir cambio de tonalidad. Deja un "sabor estético" muy especial. Si consideramos que estas suites fueron compuestas para viola da spalla (viola de hombro), resulta algo más que importante que el estudiante de viola explore estos alcances del instrumento. Saludo a todos y sigamos disfrutando.
Gracias Carlos Gustavo por esa información. No sabía que eran originalmente escritas para Viola. Generalmente se habla que son para violoncello, y que se transcribe para ser interpretadas en viola. De acuerdo contigo, obras obligadas para todos los ciclistas. Ahora cobraron mayor importancia para mi. Bach es.maravilloso, su música conecta con el creador....
Pure awesomeness! More viola, please, love the sound of the instrument and it's very sad that the amount of music for soloing viola is so minimal compared to other instruments.
A little slow of a rendition for my taste, but at the same time I appreciate that taking that liberty opens up the inner voices and has allowed me to hear the music in a different way, overall it is a very clean display both technically and stylistically, Bravo!!!
Since the viola is an octave above the cello and is tuned in exactly the same way, about the only transcription necessary is raising everything up an octave and changing the clef. I figure it's probably helpful that the notes are closer together on the string.
Hi Simone: I have been playing the Bach suites on Cello for years and I have just started playing Viola (It's easier to travel with due to my job). Everything is different; from the timing to the interpretation due to the sound, It's like translating from one language to another and something really gets lost in the translation and I just don't know how to explain it. It is truly amazing the difference of emotions between the two instruments. They are like two different individuals each with their own thoughts an opinions. Anyway, thank you for the video and so wonderfully done. My apologies for being late for class.
So many times: "Brilliant Classics" (as a genre description) seems somewhat inadequate: *Magnificently Awesome Classics* might be rather more accurate.
Great interpretation but I am curious what do people think about the Allemande in the 5th Suite? This is quite slower and laid back compared to most performances I've heard. Overall, quite an understated interpretation which is a good thing.
I'm a cellist who has been happily struggling with the Six Suites for many years now, but I think that I'm going to have to add this recording to my collection if for no other reason than to curb my perfectionistic tendencies. I already recognize trills and triple stops our soloist is not doing (even though they should be easier on a viola) and it sounds great without them. PS: I do think he takes the Prelude of the Second Suite (what I am currently working on) too fast.
Hi Simone: I have am curious : I have a audio copy of Anner Bylsma playing a baroque Cello (5 strings-cat gut) Bach cello suites. Is there a similar for the Viola?
thats not true. bach composed for voices. so that any instrument that had the key to play will be ok. thats why there's so many versions of a single peace
I am an old retired professional violist, teacher, composer, performer, choirmaster and organist. Each instrument has its difficulties and challenges. However, when given serious thought, the viola and double bass are the hardest of the string instruments. They are not built acoustically well, not proportionally, you need unusually large hands to play them well and comfortably, its not comfortable, responds slowly, doesn't have the great literature written for as do the violin or cello, not glamorous or virtuosic, finding a really well sounding instrument is extremely rare. However, many great composers loved and preferred to play the viola especially because of its meditative introspection and its ability to color and control the harmonies of a string ensemble. Its a challenge to compose for it and the double bass. But it can be very rewarding to play these two instruments.
Thanks for your insight that was great
That's why violists are always the coolest people in any ensemble!
Hello Sarum,
Thank you for this wealth of information. My son is learning how to play this instrument. He's having a hard time learning how to play, but it adamant about learning. Now I know to be more patient with him since this instrument is somewhat hard to play. Thank you once again!
BLESS YOU!@@bossladybritt
@@SarumChoirmaster 😁
Any contempt for the viola is completely unjustified as it combines the best of two worlds (violin and cello). Magnificent performance!
C'est de la faute des compositeurs.
😅
Wow. Free!? What a gift to humanity. THANK YOU.
After hearing Simone Libralon's superb performance this may be the last time that I tell a Violist Joke:
A violin student asked his teacher for advice on ways to keep his instrument from being stolen.
"Well one thing you can do," replied the teacher, "is to keep your violin in a viola case."
Hurray for the viola!
Bravissimo!!
Bach is astonishing, who else agree?
Me
wonderfull
heals my wounds
This viola performance gives the suites a lightness that's very refreshing and touching. Bravo!
Oh how wonderful, that is...the viola, and one that has become my absolute favorite of all the stringed instruments... Such a magnificent instrument, and the artist, of course...THANK YOU!!!...THANK YOU!!!....THANK YOU!!!!....
Finally, sane, reasonable, rational, well and authentically played, logical and beautifully played and presented. Outstanding in every respect! THIS is exactly how they should be played and sound! Unhurried and excellent in tempi. Supremely musical and artistic. Perfection!
Actually, they should often be played an octave lower than we hear here on the instrument for which they were actually written; but point well taken. This is a very good performance.
I just entered the new world of Bach sounds.
So beatiful, hard to believe it!
I want to learn to play it, so I start watching this kid of videos, absolute marvelous. Love what you can do whit the instrument, pure art
Glory of God and Refreshment of Soul!
Finally someone who doesnt observe the repeats which are mostly nothing but drags!
I do. Hands down. I just love the tone of the viola. Leave it to bach to write music only for it. The poor ol viola just don't get the recognition it so deserves
GRAZIE GRAZIE .. un'ora e mezza di pace e bellezza! BRAVISSIMO Simone Libralon..!! 🎶
Makes me want to go out and buy a Viola. Beautiful sound. 73
Beautiful sound. My first time to listen to Viola solo performance. my fist time ever....
Quelle merveilleuse sonorite du Viola qui enrichie la music divine de Bach....
Sublime. Simone is one of the most inspiring violist
This is a viola solo.
zojuist gevonden en nu luisteren ! Altviool en Bach . . . .
La technique d'archer me parait se rapprocher de la technique baroque avec abscence de vibrato et un tempo très libre et des doubles ou triples cordes arpègées . Après la surprise , on se met à apprécier la beauté du timbre de l'alto et la musicalité de l'interprétation . Bravo !
I really enjoyed this masterpiece and to hear it on Viola as it was meant to be is indeed a delight. Many thanks
Bach is eternal , gift from the above to all of us. Loved him from the musical school
and forever since. He is a god. thank you for this extrtaordinary rendition. Made my day.
Brilliant decision to perform these suites on viola, matched by brilliant performances! I am grateful to Maestro Libralon for his virtuosity, and to brilliant Classics for this upload.
Oh, que paz trae Bach interpretado muy bien por una viola fantástica!!!! ¡Música de Ángeles!
So very beautiful!!!Thank you Simone Libralon for this magnificent performance!!!
I am very familiar with the violin and cello, but the viola has always evaded any serious reflection on my part. However, my daughter came home today, surprising me with the possibility she'll take up viola in her school orchestra. So the timing of this post is pretty impeccable. Thanks, UA-cam! These suites are lovely. I think I need more viola in my life!
Listen to Brahms sonatas
And you could also find here in UA-cam Bach's Violin suites played on the viola, and they sound wonderful as well
@@ezequielstepanenko3229 Thank you for the suggestions!!
The cello (what I play) is more closely related to the viola (same tuning, only an octave down) than to the violin, Personally, I prefer the tone quality of the viola to that of the violin.
If she takes her viola studies seriously, she will undoubtledly become a remarkable individual. Most violists are!
Wunderschöne und detaillierte Interpretation dieser sechs perfekt komponierten Suiten in verschiedenen Tempi mit seidigem doch mildem Ton der technisch fehlerlosen Solobratsche und mit künstlerisch kontrollierter Dynamik. Alles ist faszinierend!
The 4th Suite is my favorite. It almost sounds "extra-terrestrial."
Just fantastic! I am listening to your Bach and the peace that was evading me is coming over me... thank you so much!! And I see those Baroque dances so well now!!
Thank you, BC, for this exquisite recitation of such tonal beauty. Maybe I'm not alone in thinking that the Viola, although such a lovely instrument, is often somehow lost in most full orchestral performances, even though a vital part. This recording is wonderful, therefore.
Gracias infinitas 🙇♀️ confortan mi corazón ❤❤❤
Never heard the suites with a viola! I absolutely love it, probably more than the cello.
almost agree...
De acuerdo. El sonido melancólico de la Viola es único e increíblemente hermoso
The tempo is amazing. Wonderful
Touches the soul straight
Así es
Bach ❤️
Absolutely amazing. Flawless execution. Fantastic sound !!
Thank you!
amo a voz da viola, era meu segundo instrumento de orquestra. que amplitude e solitude sonora...lindissimo.
Love the viola, wish I could play it
Absolutamente exquisito. Las suites son hermosas en viola adquieren un tinte original y mágico. Gracias a Simone por esta genial intepretación.
grazie Brilliant Classics per questa fantastica registrazione , sono sorpreso di quanto suoni avvincente un'interpretazione delle suite per violoncello su una viola d'amore ! saluti di Salisburgo
So good to listen to this slow and detailed performance.
Excelente.....gracias Brilliant Classics y Simone Libralon! 👏👏👏👏👏
Magnífico!
Música de verdade atinge a alma!
Bach é vida! 💙👏👏👏
fantastic vilola ver. great play
the viola version sounds beautiful as well
Una ejecución extraordinaria sin discusión alguna. Misma afinación que el violoncello contemporaneo excepto para la suite 6 (violoncello picolo 5 cuerdas) transcripción increible sin requerir cambio de tonalidad. Deja un "sabor estético" muy especial. Si consideramos que estas suites fueron compuestas para viola da spalla (viola de hombro), resulta algo más que importante que el estudiante de viola explore estos alcances del instrumento. Saludo a todos y sigamos disfrutando.
Gracias Carlos Gustavo por esa información. No sabía que eran originalmente escritas para Viola. Generalmente se habla que son para violoncello, y que se transcribe para ser interpretadas en viola. De acuerdo contigo, obras obligadas para todos los ciclistas. Ahora cobraron mayor importancia para mi.
Bach es.maravilloso, su música conecta con el creador....
Belleza absoluta
Magical!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Gorgeous. I have three cello versions of the six suites, and you viola rendition is really wonderful.
Bravo!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
omg.. so great sound
BRAVO !
Pure awesomeness! More viola, please, love the sound of the instrument and it's very sad that the amount of music for soloing viola is so minimal compared to other instruments.
Ce n'est plus le cas avec les compositeurs du 20ème siècle ou le répertoire s'est largement enrichi .
fascinating sound of the viola
🕊🌟🕊
This is
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL
🙏💜🙏
💜🎵💜
No one can predict the future, live your life to have a better future. God will bring happiness to you
Absolutely love them!!!!!!!!!
Maravilloso, ESPECTACULAR!!!!!!!
너무 너무 멋있어요
멋진 음악 잘 들었습니다♡
Nice!
The viola? The colors in BWV 1007. Amazing!
So good.
I'm listening to your music while I'm making a background video of guzheng music,😂 thank you for helping me do my work better
Our pleasure, happy to help!
i am 12 and learning latin! we recently learned the word alto . it means deep!
Fantastic!
superbe
Beautifull
Fantástica visión desde otro punto de "cuerdas", de instrumento, cuya sonoridad es magnífica. Gracias por compartirla.
So great!! Thank you for your play 🎻 ~
Thank you too!
Great sound, a lot of texture and depth.
Thank you. 😊
Any time!
Wonderful!
Bravo ❤
Beau-ti-ful! :-))
❤
Heaven filtered through Bach
Awesome!
I generally prefer them from Cello. The sound is softer and "sweeter", although maybe not as expressive as with Cello. Thanks for sharing!
I love violas
A little slow of a rendition for my taste, but at the same time I appreciate that taking that liberty opens up the inner voices and has allowed me to hear the music in a different way, overall it is a very clean display both technically and stylistically, Bravo!!!
That is a really good take. Agree with all parts of it.
Originally, this suite is composed for solo cello performances. This is an arrangement or transcription for solo viola.
Since the viola is an octave above the cello and is tuned in exactly the same way, about the only transcription necessary is raising everything up an octave and changing the clef. I figure it's probably helpful that the notes are closer together on the string.
@@johnries5593
Thank you so much for teaching me.
Fueron compuestas originalmente para viola da spalla ( de hombro) , contrario a lo que muchos pensábamos.
УДИВИТЕЛЬНО!!!!
Just amazing, hearing repeatedly every nights.
Hi Simone: I have been playing the Bach suites on Cello for years and I have just started playing Viola (It's easier to travel with due to my job). Everything is different; from the timing to the interpretation due to the sound, It's like translating from one language to another and something really gets lost in the translation and I just don't know how to explain it. It is truly amazing the difference of emotions between the two instruments. They are like two different individuals each with their own thoughts an opinions. Anyway, thank you for the video and so wonderfully done. My apologies for being late for class.
GREAT
👍👍👍
So many times: "Brilliant Classics" (as a genre description) seems somewhat inadequate:
*Magnificently Awesome Classics* might be rather more accurate.
Maybe we should change our channel name
👏👏👏
Great interpretation but I am curious what do people think about the Allemande in the 5th Suite? This is quite
slower and laid back compared to most performances I've heard. Overall, quite an understated interpretation which is a good thing.
I'm a cellist who has been happily struggling with the Six Suites for many years now, but I think that I'm going to have to add this recording to my collection if for no other reason than to curb my perfectionistic tendencies. I already recognize trills and triple stops our soloist is not doing (even though they should be easier on a viola) and it sounds great without them.
PS: I do think he takes the Prelude of the Second Suite (what I am currently working on) too fast.
Hi Simone: I have am curious : I have a audio copy of Anner Bylsma playing a baroque Cello (5 strings-cat gut) Bach cello suites. Is there a similar for the Viola?
The wish to get drunk because of the soul lost
Where was this recorded? Sounds like a church....
Your ears do not deceive you; it was recording in the Santa Maria Nascente Church in Bodio Lomnago, Italy
@@BrilliantClassics Exactly! An Italian Church! Just as I suspected! Excellent!
FOR VIola or arranged for viola?
Arranged, the original is for violoncello or viola pomposa.
@@christophbreitenbach4112 exactly. So i would rather not mess with a historical title
thats not true. bach composed for voices. so that any instrument that had the key to play will be ok. thats why there's so many versions of a single peace
I agree. Viola i like and respect. But TT i like better :)/( hehe
Too much reverberation
There is not enough resonance in the lower registers.