Our friend Fa Claes wrote: "Raphaella lets us hear a Bach who sits down to grieve and goes through all the facets of grief. It goes from gloom, desolation, hopelessness past melancholy and poignant sadness to outright rebellion, to resistance that cannot help but exhaust itself and lean toward resignation, but it is an acceptance that remains aware of intense loss. In deepening the whole scope of grief processing, Raphaella realizes a highly moving performance. It is delightful, but in fact we sit in real pain, beneficent pain they call it. Bach is so 'complete'."

Never in a million years would I have imagined this piece to sound so beautiful and resonate so deeply on the guitar. Raphaella Smits is in a league of her own. Absolutely stunning performance.

This is the first extended string guitar in which the tonal consistency is maintained. A small guitar by contemporary standards yet delivering a wonderfully rounded sound and full of unforced resonance, in the hands of a player who profoundly understands Bach. Absolutely wonderful.

This is the best guitar performance of this piece I've ever heard. The harmonies from 10:50 to 11:20 bring tears to my eyes every time. I don't think I've ever heard a more beautiful piece of music.

Has anyone noticed she never glanced at the fretboard? That she seldom opened her eyes? Well, best rendition ever so far. Thank God I found this video.

@matsp888

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, I did. Amazing.

@matsp888

5 жыл бұрын

One thing that puzzles me is that she stares at the fretboard at other times, like here. kzread.info/dash/bejne/d32a1cN-haqalpM.html

@bechet12

5 жыл бұрын

When you really know how to play you don't need to open your eyes or look at the fretboard. You instinctively know where everything is.

@mobongo4246

5 жыл бұрын

@@bechet12 good observation. I wonder why that is?

@PunyMortal

5 жыл бұрын

@@mobongo4246 It's mostly because of muscle memory. A musician developes it through decades of playing and practicing.

This slower version sounds and feels much better than the other ones I found on youtube. Bravo Raphaella, Bravo.

@pollo_da5778

2 жыл бұрын

Brava* 'couse She's a girl

@StuartwasDrinkell

2 жыл бұрын

Thankfully "pronouns" will never breach the romance languages! Long live masculine and feminine!

@hindenburg1596

2 жыл бұрын

@@pollo_da5778 Hahaha what

@pollo_da5778

Жыл бұрын

@@hindenburg1596 bravo Is an Italian Word that mean good or good job. In italian language there's feminin Word and masculin, Raphaella Is a woman, so bravo that Is masculin become brava

One of Bach's most intensely sad compositions... in this lovely and sensitive performance, the virtuoso keeps her eyes closed the entire time.

This interpretation should be taught in music schools. She got a telepatic connection with Bach and with his mood when he composed this piece. Emotions and spirituality united to perfection. Thanks Raphaella.

Every once in a while I come back to listen to your interpretation... The best I've ever heard... I said it 7 years ago.... I say it again! 😍😍😍

So this is what mastery looks like....

@TheModernHermeticist

6 жыл бұрын

indeed...

@The0nionKnight

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheModernHermeticist hardly

I appreciate this performance not only for it's intrinsic musicality but also because the lady does not promote her face at the expense of her hands...so to speak. She keeps her face quiet so we can hear what her hands are doing, to put it another way.

Bach's Chaconne is proof (to me at least) that there really is a God. Raphaella Smits brings Heaven down to earth with this performance.

@adamdelmonteguitarist

4 жыл бұрын

Amen to that! I say this regularly, and feel it so, too!

@anidemolimacnauj

2 жыл бұрын

Proofs are for theorems and are not subjective.

@DrJoeyBean

2 жыл бұрын

I don't know how Bach was possible.

@DD_Quack

2 жыл бұрын

Or rather we say we exist as human and there are better humans than us who could compose and play it and bring that to us.

@JoryGKenneth

2 жыл бұрын

Dr. Joey, Bach isn't possible. I guess thats what’s called a miracle.

What an out of this world performance. I never heard her before. This is an absolute revelation.

I’m a baroque trained cellist and have played with lots of baroque guitar players and Raphaella Smits’ Spanish baroque modified guitar is glorious

@braulios3386

4 ай бұрын

It's a romantic guitar, baroque guitars are very different

@platinum_cadence

4 ай бұрын

@@braulios3386google is free. Look it up bud. The shape is EXACTLY THE SAME

Best chaconne in guitar I ever heard. She really understood the spitit of the song (and obviously had the skills to tramsform it into notes) . Thanks, Raphaella for this interpretation.

Even if everyone has told so, after listening to this, I just cant leave this whitout a comment; the most beutiful version of Chaconne I ever heard. Moved to tears.

What a wonderful player and instrument! Mesmorising, i nearly fell off the ground!

I cannot help but think that this is the Chaconne as we all imagined it should and could sound but never thought we’d actually hear. Thank you Raphaella!

@brianrussel6012

7 жыл бұрын

(guest, R.M.) This lady has found the heart of the music and gives it to us in such a wonderfully sensitive, yet authoritative way. What an experience. Those who only play and know" pop" really don't know what they are missing. ☺

Despite having played, studied, and pondered this piece for over forty years, there were passages whose import eluded my understanding, and others - notably measures 181-184 - that performing artists didn't seem to get either. Ms. Smits illuminated all the variations and wove them all into one whole: sorrow and fortitude. My thanks for this.

@dr.adalbertotripicchiophd1411

7 жыл бұрын

Bis in idem.

@johanmatzen9940

6 жыл бұрын

This tune has been my religion since 2015. So far this is the most soulful rendition of it on guitar I've heard. Could you point to where measures 181-184 are in terms of seconds and minutes?

@jihanjoo

6 жыл бұрын

I believe it corresponds to 9:49-9:58 in this video.

@pluutoop

3 жыл бұрын

What is there to get? It's heaven!

Mystifying why this video has not reached more people…. Beyond me….

@raphaellasmits3450

Жыл бұрын

about 350.000 individual views is not too bad. Thank you for your comment :-)

To play the Chaconne,eyes closed is putting her in to the league of esteemed guitarist of the world that are a rare breed.

Oh this is such a deeply felt and exquisitely realized performance of a work that Bach wrote during a period of profound grief,. I have never a heard a performance of this that touched me so deeply. Truly remarkable!!!!

Best version of Chaconne on guitar!

The best version I ever heard of this music.

This is mastery; of the instrument; of the music; of this piece. What an incredible thing to have captured on video and with such superb sound quality. My favorite interpretation of this masterpiece.

Waoh! I started listening, and couldn't stop. I was mesmerized by the story she tells (as do all great artists). She made me re-discover this piece, from a totally different point of view. Less energic than Segovia's version, but more profound, more spiritual. I will never play the Chaconne the way I used to, from now on.

This extraordinary performance is fully the equal of any I have every heard, and far more interesting than most. I have never heard Raphaella before, and only turned up here on a whim - a most fortunate one. Her guitar took some getting used to, aurally, but then I was seduced by its dark sound - really quite right for the Chaconne, I think. But mostly it is her musicality that stunned me. Very early on, I felt compelled to give my complete attention, because this was such a careful, deep, profound reading. Such a gift. But then many of us think this is the most astounding piece of music ever written - something I say with considerable reluctance, because I don't like to get too competitive about such things. If I were to use a single word to characterize this performance, it would be "original". Raphaella did, successfully, a number of things with this piece which I have long thought ought at least to be tried. And they worked because there was such emotional authenticity in the playing. Thank you for this, Raphaella.

@DanieleSRD

4 жыл бұрын

It's so true

@steveb9325

4 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@goofectasruhxyodfrointe2160

4 жыл бұрын

This is dope, indeed.

@robertotosini8160

4 жыл бұрын

Not so extraordinary, sorry. No emotion. Have you ever listened to Andrea Segovia version of the Ciaccona?

@WojciechKalka

4 жыл бұрын

Just listen to the eleven string here on youtube still by far the best kzread.info/dash/bejne/i66EmM-kgLngnZM.html

She is just so wonderful.

@StevenBornfeld

2 жыл бұрын

I assume this is her Mirecourt?

Good is when you can't stop listening.

OK, that left me speechless. I've only ever been rendered speechless by the Chaconne from Heifetz's performance.

I'm astonished, this woman has discovered where the music lives.

Un son superbe, une interprétation superbe, un jeu précise tout en harmonie et en simplicité, que demander de plus ! sans doute la meilleure interprétation du web.

sometimes when listening to Bach i imagine how he would have enjoyed the performance, but somehow this one transcends both the composer and the performer

What is clever about what Bach did in the Chaconne is he composed a work that represented his life with his wife who sadly died. It tells the story of all those emotions and memories. Joy, wonder, sorrow, etc. I suspect Raphaella may have visualised that for each of the sections to memorise the notes. 14 minutes without glancing at fretboard is an incredible achievement.

Best balanced Chaconne I have every heard . If J.S.Back could listen you.

Maestra Raphaella must have dreamed this Chaconne a thousand times, then she rehearsed it in the dark for decades. Bravissimo!

Спасибо Вам, Рафаэлла за прекрасное исполнение музыки И.С.Баха! В 1997 году видел и слушал Вас в России г. Волгограде. Очень понравилось Ваше сдержанное и чистое исполнение тогда и сейчас! СПАСИБО! Да хранит, Вас Господь!

Extraordinary beauty, Zen concentration, a real lesson of art and conviction.

@raphaellasmits3450

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you two!!too, love

@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power

7 жыл бұрын

Raphaella Smits if this is really raphaella, do add performances & content to your channel. i'm subscribing just in case.

@DanieleSRD

4 жыл бұрын

@@raphaellasmits3450 you're just a great musician, thanks for your art.

One of the best performances of the Chaconne by the brilliant Bach. Bravissimo!

How could anyone thumbs down this. I'm sure Segovia would not have thumb down this.

@eblackbrook

2 жыл бұрын

He would certainly have given it a thumbs down. He had no tolerance for anyone having their own interpretation, and that she produced her own transcription rather then use his would have infuriated him. It was his way or the highway. And because she was so good he would find that threatening and have to cut her down. Segovia was a dick.

C'est bouleversant. Cela fait des années que je me dis que c'est la meilleure interprétation de la Chaconne que j'ai jamais entendue.

She left me speechless and in tears with her profoundly moving execution. This interpretation of this beloved Chaconne surpass any other that I have heard from other virtuoso guitarist.

5:00 I get chills at this part every time

@pluutoop

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it's spiritual operation ❤️

I think that guitar was made for this piece and you were born to play it. Thank you so much.

Je n'ai jamais entendu une interprétation d'une telle qualité... jamais.

She's one of a few musician who really brings this piece alive. Bravo!

@michaelwilson4621

7 жыл бұрын

As a new and zealous fan of this piece, I would suggest you are not watching enough youtube. There are so many absolutely breathtaking arrangements of this work, particularly on guitar. Segovia's arrangement is beauty defined.

Reading many of the comments regarding the nuances in the sound of this video seems to be a response to those sounds produced by the 7th and 8th strings (sympathetic strings). Her slower tempo in places also give these strings a chance to resonate and bring out new phrases not heard elsewhere . Certainly another beautiful and personal interpretation of this magnificent Bach composition. I believe the Chaconne more than most guitar selections allows any truly great guitarist to raise their level of technique, playing and understanding of what the guitar (6,8,10 string) is capable of.

Raphaella, I'm absolutely certain that Belgium is extremely proud of you maestra. That was a totally sound, masterful performance ma'am. I really enjoyed your performance and I thank you for putting it on You Tube. Please be well and thank you again for a wonderful performance.

@erikthys3911

Жыл бұрын

I fear she is, like many truly gifted artists, very underrated and hardly known by the broader public. Maybe she wants it this way, I don't know.

Raphaëlla, on dit que Bach est le père de la musique. Vous, vous êtes sa fille !! En 40 années de passion pour la guitare, c'est la première fois que j'entends une interprétation d'une telle qualité. Chapeau Madame ! C'est merveilleux. Pierre

@lucienvergez1565

4 жыл бұрын

Pierre Jurado sûrement la meilleure interprétation à ce jour,mais c’est aussi une très grande dame de la guitare et certainement l’égale d’Ida Presti.

Ok,.Raphaella's virtuosity is a given, an incredible performance. But I'm fascinated by the 18th century guitar she's playing -- multi stringed, no less. These small, narrow-waisted guitars have such a lovely lyrical quality about them and a surprising level of volume. It is truly a treat getting to hear the Chaconne played on this wonderful instrument by such a talented player.

3 years later this is still the best :)))))))

I don't know... her technique is impresive... she's very connected with the instrument and the work!, and of course nothing less than Bach!.beautiful! amazing!

Todo el poder de Bach en manos de una mujer. Wow simplemente maravilloso. Cuando alguien toca la Chacona asi, la Tierra es uno de los mejores lugares de la galaxia.

The sound of that guitar is extraordinary. I've listened to this performance many times now and each time it retains the crispness and beauty of the first listen. Fantastic playing.

I heard this played not too long ago and I left the comment who would want to learn this? Hearing it now played by a Master, it's a beautiful piece of music.

Fantastic. Her fingers have eyes.

One of my favourite versions of Bachs Chaconne, congratulations to the beautiful sound and the transcendental spirit; other versions I recommend are those from Sanel Redzic ( more conventional but also perfect ) and the exceptional transcription and sound from Alan Mearns version ( the most baroque sounding one for my ears ever played on guitar)

I was very impressed by John Feeley's rendition of the Chaconne (also on YT) but this is right up there with it (and Ms Smits is playing live!). Marvellous!

Bach comme il me semble devoir être joué: inéluctable et sensible... magnifique et le son de cette guitare est une révélation. Bravo Mirecourt!

C'est merveilleux. Je suis d'accord avec la plupart des commentaires: c'est d'une incroyable musicalité. On dirait que Bach l'a écrite pour elle. On oublie la nécessaire virtuosité pour n'entendre plus que la musique. Magnifique. Merci Madame.

Best guitar edition ever, can't really get any better.Whisper of God through that soundhole.THANK YOU MAESTRA, THANK YOU SO MUCH

Absolutely Stunning..I'm even hearing things I haven't heard before..Raphaella's amazing confidence to not look at the fingerboard while playing leaves me staggered - let alone her confidence displayed in the playing of the Chaconne..

This is the best live interpretation of the Chaconne ever. So felt. Only a woman could reach this level of expression of Bach's feeling, and more. Congrats master 🙏💚

Supreme musicianship in a magical performance.

The most mesmerizing performance of this piece I've ever heard.

I was astonished her eyes are closed. So I closed mine too. At the end it took a minute to open my eyes because I had to let my soul finish processing the emotions graced by Bach and her immaculate playing. I think music hit the zenith when Bach wrote this. There is no other greater composition.

She is not playing music. The music plays her!

A beautiful chaconne story, by maestro Raphaella Smits!

The master of masters!!! Words cannot describe her soul reaching to Bach .... to GOD!!

I sob, absolutely every time, that I listen to this. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.

Being played wonderfully as it can be.

@johnbaker5538

5 жыл бұрын

A remarkable musician. I thought John Feeley was the champion of this piece until I heard Raphaela.

ok good lord. She is now my favorite guitarist.

Simply no words......I'm sure MR. Bach would be impressed with this amazing interpretation. Wau!!!!

Diep bewogen door zoveel liefde en schoonheid. Innig dankbaar, Raphaella, dat ik een leerling van jou mocht zijn. Je bent voor mij één van de mooiste vrouwen die ik ontmoette, ik zie en hoor je graag, als muzikant en als mens. Enkele jaren geleden had ik bijna mijn gitaar verkocht maar iets heeft mij ervan weerhouden en nu, na meer dan 20 jaar, heb ik mijn instrument terug liefdevol in de armen genomen. Voor altijd nu.

Qué belleza, toca la pieza con una sensibilidad apabullante, la guitarra de 8 cuerdas es una extensión de su alma. Había escuchado esta pieza maestra de Bach al laúd barroco en reputados laudistas, pero esta versión es especial y única. Bravo.

Just SUPER!!! This is one of the better versions on KZread.

Master Raphaella Smit, the best version of the Chaconne, She plays so deep and so beautiful

simply divine. the best version of Chaconne

What a technique, what a musicality, what a meditative atmosphere, what an instrument, what a sound! The best recording and interpretation of the ciacona.

THIS is what I have been looking for - eight string guitar - beautiful playing too. I have heard dozens of versions of the Chaconne on many instruments - this is the best interpretation I have personally heard

I'm mesmerised by the sound of her instrument. Amazed and inspired by the perfect interpretation, the phrasing and the dynamics which she nails so well. A full-robust tone, the modulation which provides colour and character to the piece. This rendition sets the standard very high for future versions. I have listened to it all week and I am delighted. Raphaella Smits gives a performance of a lifetime. 29 thumbs down? I can't believe that any fault could be found in such a performance. Still, everyone is entitled to an opinion. It baffles me nonetheless. I don't want this to sound like a review or a critique. Enough has already been said, and perhaps from a more professional perspective. Wordiness is ugly sometimes. Perhaps KZread should implement a form of word restriction like Twitter has. Saying just enough forces the writer to be concise and creative. Thanks for posting.

Raphella is a very sensitive guitarist. That was brilliant! So effortless! I hope you recorded this on CD!!!

Непринужденное, спокойное исполнение не может не успокоить❤

MUchos deberían cooncordar con que es la mejor versión que hay y va haber... y sin mirar la guitarra, es prodigia y dedicada.. una verdadera gENIA , LO QUE HIZO ES INCREIBLE EN MATICES , DINAMICA , POTENCIA Y UN FINAL ESTREMECEDOR...

I'm speechless...there's no words on earth that can express how magnificent this is

love the slight body and face twitches with certain notes, that's how you tell a musician who loves the piece they're playing.

I'm amazed over how good this is and on so many levels. She's obviously skilled but there's so much more. Integrity and expressiveness for instance. She plays this piece pretty straight forward and it just comes to life nonetheless!

@displaychicken

2 жыл бұрын

Straightforward is often best with Bach. Let the notes speak for themselves.

I had the good luck and musical fortune and personal pleasure hear this lady perform guitar music on two occasions so wonderfully years ago that I have-not forgotten my impression of her artistry. She performed music on a guitar given to her by Narsico Yeppes at Akron University one day following elections day in November. The event was arranged by Steve Aron. Most grateful for his efforts to bring qualify guitar music to that town for me and others to hear and see in person. This lady - Raphaela Smits - was phenomenal then with her playing style, interpretation and command of the instrument from beginning to the end of her performance. Then she performed guitar music at the Cleveland Institute of Music shortly after that first encounter. On both occasions she demonstrated artistry that needed no additional words to earn praise than what the audience was saying about her. This was a most knowledgeable and receptive audience whose members knew what they are hearing. For us it did not get any better on either occasion.

@raphaellasmits3450

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Freddie Frumko and Stephen Aron. I am just back home from an other visit at Oberlin. Tx

This woman does the most soulful representation of this piece that I have heard do far. I'm on it 8 months and can't conceive of closing my eyes for a second. Maybe in 8 years I'll have it down, but I will use RSmits as a reference point.

We've all heard this piece a hundred times, and every time it's great, it's wonderful, it's -- well, it's Bach. But sometimes you get to hear it performed by a musician who can not only rise to the occasion technically, but who clearly has both the mind and the soul to lift it right up to heaven. And then it's thrilling.

The best interpretation ever! What a sound! Is absolutely perfect!

@peternemeth1777

7 жыл бұрын

have you checked out segovias version. If not, you should. Maybe you rethink whose the best interpretation. He did the transcription of the piece from violin to guitar.

@robertotosini8160

4 жыл бұрын

The best interpretation of the Ciaccona? sorry, you are wrong. The best is by Andres Segovia.

@user-wj5gf6bc5f

9 ай бұрын

​@@robertotosini8160У Сеговии она очень романтическая по темпераменту здесь более тяжёлая ...дело вкуса

Chaconne always touches the parts that others can't reach. This performance on this superb guitar-would like to know what make it is-brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Ms Smits.

A very sensitive and lyrical interpretation. Far more liberty with the tempo than most players would dare to do in public when playing this "holy grail" of baroque music, but somehow it works very nicely.

Une excellente guitariste et un excellent instrument très bien enregistré.Un grand merci , JS Bach une fois de plus un remède aux doutes qui nous hantent. PS le timbre de l'instrument , de petite taille , permet un timbre délicat et homogène , ce qui convient particulièrement bien à cette pièce le plus svt jouée au 🎻.

Raphaëlla moves her audience by her virtuosic interpretation of this Chaconne of Bach. It was musicality in action!

Difficult to imagine that this piece will one day be lost to time.

@vidyaruchi4810

4 жыл бұрын

No, it will still be in the eternal realm from which it came.

@mwmcbroom

3 жыл бұрын

Never. If for no other reason than sound waves propagate forever

I have listened to Chaconne my whole life mostly by A Segovia considered the standard but this version is right up there,thank you Raphaella for a life of dedication I was deeply moved by this performance

Wonderful! I know This piece since a very long time, now. Since I begun to play guitar, about fifty years. I know this chaconne performed on guitar, piano, violin or harp, or harpsichord, but that's the first time I listen to it by such a guitar with two cords of bass more, and performed so well. I'm really marveled at this interpretation. I thank you so much. 👍👏👏👏👏👏😍🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Geachte mevrouw Smits, Prachtig gitaarspel. Zo sereen, zo mooi! Zoals u over Yo-Yo Ma zei, toen hij probeerde uit te leggen wat musiceren juist inhoud. Het niet gaat om de aandacht naar jezelf te trekken. Maar om het beleven van het moment waarin je met je instrument iets unieks weet te vertellen aan je luisteraar. Dat heb u met het werk van Chaconne voor mij gedaan. mvg

when she returns to the main theme at 6:57 is so smooth and sublime