"you don't ask a question on a down bow" what a brilliantly weird man

"Perfection is great, but it's not enough." I'll never listen to this piece the same again.

It's amazing how seemingly perfect he's playing it at first but then seeing just how much he can still improve after wards.

"You missed a note. I was very happy when you missed it; you were miserable...Because, perfection is great, but it's not enough" "You couldn't play a wrong note even if you wanted to" "Never mind the critics" Benjamin Zander's ambition and teaching is just amazing! Look at how many people have tear in their eyes.

"Are you going to be a great cellist or are you going to change the world as an artist?"

He's the Bob Ross of music.

"(...)Elgar wasn't writing about that, he was saying farewell to life(...)" Beautiful lesson!! That got me crying...

Sir Benjamin Zander, you've turned me from a person who doesn't mind classical music to a person who absolutely loves it. I deeply admire you for the way you help understand every note and rythm and make a piece that is 'just' beautiful into a piece that gives me a rush of intense emotions coming from my toes and bursting out through my heart. Wonderful, I am so grateful for coming across your masterclasses hear on KZfaq. Thankyou

I never listen or paid attention to this music now I’m like 3 hours of watching this man teaching different students on how to conduct and play the instruments we need more people like Bejamin Zander Thank you Sr.

'You don't ask a question on a down bow' Amazing.

Look at how his face CHANGED as he was coached. His face was very intense, and uber focused on being correct on every note. As he was being coaached and listening to the stories of musicians, his face lit up, and he became the music. WOW

When he had him draw emotion out of that first chord for the first time, I was grinning wildly; it was exceptionally emotive. (10:50)

the genius of someone is when you only need 38 minutes with Zander to improve your interpretation

"What's next for you is your relationship with the audience and telling the story of the music in such a way that they're touched in spite of your great cello playing... Your playing is only a vehicle to the heart, it is not the heart itself." Absolutely heart-wrenchingly spot on Mr. Zander.

"I never interfere with people's cello playing" *proceeds to interfere with his cello playing* LOVE HIM ANYWAYS

"Give everything you have and watch the ripples." "Are you going to make a difference in the world as an artist?" Benjamin Zander is an amazing person!

"Grandmothers are great, because they always know what they like.....Trust the grandmothers...never mind the critics". This guy is full of great quotes. An amazing instructor for a master class.

Anyone watching this is 2021?🙌 Best 38 minutes of my life. I've already watched this video about a year or two ago and I'm still impressed. Elgar's cello concerto is one of my favorites ever since I was younger... and after watching this interpretation my view regarding this piece came to a different form of appreciation. ❤️✨

"It can be a distraction to be beautiful and to be a great cellist." -- Never have truer words ever been spoken 🤭

"You don't ask a question on a down bow." Although this sounds like complete nonsense, I'm a cellist and it makes perfect sense to me.

If you aren't as excited as this man about music, what are you doing?

I’ve watching this video probably 15-20 times over the years. And I always come back for 2 things: 1. The beautiful music 2. The amazing transformation the cellist and song undergo in just 40 minutes It’s truly an art all it’s own to watch someone go from great and by the books to great and perfectly expressive. Hats off to you both, and hats off to Elgar for writing what I think is the single greatest piece ever written

This is probably the best masterclass I've ever watched. Mr Zander was able to pull out so much musicality from the cellist. The build up to the E at 20:59 was incredible:)

This guy is 16 in this video. Incredible musical maturity at such a young age

19:51: I closed my eyes, listened to this beautiful music and startet to cry. He is playing with such an intensity that I thought my heart would break. This part makes me want to learn playing the cello.

12:27 when Zander stops Daniel and talks about having a relationship with the silence as well, One thing I was always taught was that the rest is just as important, if not more important, that the notes themselves. The silence can release sorrow, wonder, increase tension, that tiny bit of silence can change the whole feel or mood in a split second.

It is astounding to see how much goes into the interpretation of a piece of music beyond just the notes and markings. Without knowing the composer's background, the social context in which he lived and seemingly, the thoughts going through his mind as he wrote, it is not possible to do his work justice. And it takes a herculean interpreter such as Mr. Zander to make sense of this. Bravo to all for this incomparable video.

I'm not gonna lie... I can't even read notes, but I keep watching Zander's interpretation classes because it just fascinates me draws me into classical music more and more..

I am a pianist, but this was the most memorable materclass I have ever watched! Really touching!

what a passionate man! How he understands music from an ethereal perspective is beyond me, but EVERYTHING he says makes perfect sense!!

I'm 22 years old. I listened to this piece some moths ago for the first time in my life, through this video. I cannot explain what happened to me in detail, but I'll simply say I had a revelation, the first one in my life. I'm from Spain, I must admit England and the strereotype of the English society and their people never really was one of my favourites, but I immediately loved Elgar the first time I heard this, and I will never know who he was, as well as I didn't know of him when I heard his voice here. I've been saving money up until now to buy a cello and have been studying theory of music with an experienced friend of mine. I know there is very little chance that at my age I could get anywhere far in the path of music, and yet I also know I have to do it, I need to hear the cello while I'm playing it. Funny thing is my father loves classical music and tried to get me into it since I was a little kid, but I ended up rejecting it and portraying it and its audience as an environment of vanity and aristocracy, when in reality, to me, it's the only thing in the human world to fully express our deepest, lowest, happiest, saddest and craziest instincts and memories. I can only say I am so thanful to you, Hass and Zander, for appearing in my life unknowingly and opening the gates towards my calling. I will forever be thankful. Truly, Bruno Silva.

Absolutely astounding. This is the first time I was really moved by classic music to tears. I will never be able to listen to classic music while doing chores. Too soulful!

13:38 made me almost tear up plus a wave of goosebumps on the back of my neck. That 8th note followed by the rest that Mr. Zander told the cellist to do made me feel melancholy.

The cello is such an amazing emotional instrument... I play the piano, but there is no instrument as expressive as the cello.

Such a pleasure to have this teacher available on youtube. This is just awesome. His open mind advices ♡

“Give everybody an A” god bless

Amazing. "Perfection is great, but it's not enough." I will never listen to that piece the same way again.

13:18 - 13:53 sent chills down my spine.

I am astounded! I've been watching Zander's expressions of others' music all morning and in my life I have never encountered one so passionate, eloquent and accessible as Benjamin Zander and his teachings. What a genius. What a treasure. I feel like I should be able to write these remarks in poetry to properly express the profound impressions I'm left with after seeing and hearing these performances as interpreted by Benjamin Zander.

I've been playing this concerto for about a year now and I just can't wait to sit down and relearn it after watching this video. Brought tears to my eyes. Cellist is cute too, thought that was important to note

I have no musical talent beyond knowing what I like, and my goodness I like this. Such fantastic passion for the subject, watching someone who clearly knows how to play wonderfully be supported to play better and with such emotion and tenderness... you transported me to the moors where an old English composer with a mustache was waiting to meet me. Thank you Mr. Zander and thank you Daniel and Dina!

what i wouldn't have given to have had a music teacher like this man. Benjamin Zander is a beautiful man

Once again, thank you both to Mr. Zander and to all of you who help film and make these videos available to us. It is such a joy to hear and be educated! This is such a wonderful way to deepen our love, appreciation, and ability to relate to music!

I love the contrast of the delicately played piano versus the intensely played cello.

I saw this video at least 30 times and each and every time I have tears in my eyes - Ben is the most amazing teacher I have ever seen! Nobody else I've seen is so much alive and passionate about music! Look how fascinated the people are listening to the play. They are delighted and deep impressed totally.

If I had not watched this video, I would have never known the beauty of Elgar's cello concerto.

The cellist's face when he goes out of tune the first time vs the last time shows all the difference that Zander can make Downcast and moody vs look up and smile I love this man

That ascending scale is one of the most beautiful in music 💝

Daniel's smile at 26:19 is amazing

Look at this guy's face. It's like he's feeling pain that Elgar did when he wrote this. Absolutely exquisite performance

I Don't play Cello, ( after watching this i'd love to) I just taught myself the guitar some 44 years ago, but i really appreciate what this guy is saying, most people aim for perfection, but what differs from the perfect playing is the person that's adds drama, excitement and actually performs the piece as well as playing it perfectly. Extremely interesting and thoroughly enjoyable watching this. Thankyou for sharing this and great filming/ editing too. greetings from Greece. Rock n Roll x

Benjamin: I never interrupt someone’s playing Also Benjami: *stops him playing* can I just say one thing 😂😂😂😂 He is such an amazing teacher he gives so much energy to the player becoming apart of the lesson it’s self. I’m loving it ❤️❤️

Thank God for artists like Zanders who can stir us out of our apathy and remind us what it is to feel

The best Professonal Teacher and Cellist that i have ever seen ! Thankyou so much for all your give....

Perfection is great but it's not enough! Give everything you have and watch the ripples. Love it. And yes, you did touch a lot of people, thanks for that.

Just an amazing Master. So few speak about the humanizing potential between the piece, the player and the audience. This Life Master just nailed it and then suck it from the heart to the heart. So few music teachers are aware of that neither to say capable of encouraging their students to become human bridges. Too much tecniche too much exalence, too little humanity. Well, that's what the world needs, and this is the only mission of artists today. Open your heart open the heart of people! Thank you Master Zander for your love, passion, humanity and wisdom.

THE PASSION IN THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING

33:20 when anyone 'elavates' someone to tears with their art whether the vehicle is music, or the spoken word; they have achieved the ultimate goal. Music exists largely because words cannot always accurately convey the depth of feeling. People like Benjamin Zander are an absolute gift to the arts and the world outside of that, the problem is that people don't truly 'hear' what these rare human beings say.

Even though I am a violinist I learned so much from listening to this Masterclass. Benjamin Zander helped bring out the best in Daniel Hass as a Cellist. I never tire of watching this video. I learn something new from it every time, and it has really helped me become a better violinist. Thank you Benjamin and Daniel!

Wow, Benjamin Zanders is a classic genius. He touches you with his teaching. He transfer skills and techniques in the most warm manner.

He made the opening sound like Du Pre, brilliant

SUPERBE ! Merci à Daniel Hass, merveilleux interprète! j'espère vous entendre un jour à Aix-en-Provence! Merci aussi à Benjamin Zander pour ce moment de vérité, en direct, à Boston. "La dame Française"

It is all about your heart and bring the emotions into whatever you play or do. Passion and give everything you have! Love Mr. Zander.

I know Elgar's "countryside" of the Malvern Hills very well. He adored - and knew - every inch of it. If you listen in 'Gerontius' to the wind rushing through the lofty pines, those trees were near the cottage he rented each summer and he wrote their music. A year or so before he died, he said to a friend "If ever after I'm dead you hear someone whistling this tune on the Malvern Hills, don't be alarmed, it'll only be me." So this, for me, is the hidden heart of Elgar, the one he tried to make sure the staid, uptight, Edwardian society never saw. But he couldn't hide his soul when he wrote and this is the result.

I love this man BEN ZANDER...the epitome of the best teacher one can have!!! JUST BRILLIANT!!!

You say 'SAD~LY', instead of saying 'SAD~ly'. Brilliant. And when he played it like that, it just blew my mind. Wow

For this video's sake I've bought a Cello.... pray for me... I will do this for Sir Zander and especially for myself as Zander would've adviced me

This is the highest discourse of humanity.

Absolutely amazing! Bravo! Music is so much about relationships and it is so often forgotten in this fast world. Thank you so much Mr. Zander and Daniel for touching many lives and going to the very roots of what music is. Very inspiring!

I can't stop re-watching this one over and over. This is my FAVE Zander class that I've seen so far.

I didn’t even need to be in the room to be touched by that sigh, that smile, that phrasing, the passion of the teacher and the player... I’m sitting on my bed being a slob but my heart is fluttering like a baby bird and I can’t help but feel glad to be alive.

Zander. Great human being. He is right - music is about communication, communicates what we are not able to say in words.

I've been following Daniel's videos for quite some time now and I'm still stunned whenever I re watch the Bach concerto played as a little boy:) It's just marvelous how much music and genuine feeling is in you, Daniel and I'm happy that you found exactly the right person to teach you:) Thank you so much!

Yes, Zander is a great mentor. And yes, there's a fine young cellist in this video. But if I was wearing a hat I'd take it off to the pianist. She is awesome. Brava.

I am so captivated by this moment, I only aspire to learn the cello but I feel I just learned so much more about the ability to appreciate music, Benjamin Zander you're an incredible teacher

His depth of understanding of the music and communication of how to access it here is just incredible...Wow!

The most inspiring teacher in the world!

Stunning!!! The difference to playing perfectly and playing from the heart. Wow,

I was moved to tears in listening not only to this piece, but also in listening to the teaching.

The magic in playing an instrument is not playing it, its feeling the instrument and using that to express your emotions in it.

Man I was thinking you can't make that piece much better. He put all of life's experiences into this piece. Simply amazing

I think everybody in their walk of life should find passion as this man has for what he does

What a teacher!!!!!

Thank you so much. To Benjamin Zander for such a wonderful class, to Daniel for that outstanding playing and to the pianist. With only piano, the cello part comes much forward, and with such a cellist it becomes overwealming. Gracias.

So relieved to finally hear someone explain what music making is about. Not about playing well, but playing with passion, play the intention behind the notes. As a choir conductor the best music making has been by relatively simple amateur choirs with sometimes outstanding singers with no musical education at all, capturing whole audiences beyond belief. I always say to my choirs: I don't care if you are flat, are out of tune, miss a note or mispronounce, but be there, sing from your heart, passion, intention. If you get singers who had some education they stifle, tense up and there's often very little music coming from them. Just my experience. So happy I found this! Couldn't agree more!!!

Benjamin Zander is the king of interpretation. It is amazing the way he understands music. It is magic. I can see all in a different way with him. I can live music through him

I almost missed this and I am glad I found it. Daniel, every time I hear you your playing has improved. You playing Elgar was outstanding. I am glad you are doing so well. You are already giving to the world great music!! Thank you!!

All I want from life is this kind of amazing passion and insight. Amazing.

His teaching and his players are always so talented. He makes the great even greater!

This young man's playing reminded me so much of the young Du Pre in her version of this concerto under the baton of Barbirolli. Watching him and listening to him brought tears to my eyes

I can't help but listening to Dupré's version of this concert with Zander's interpretation...! Lovely! Great stuff!

I love watching these; he makes the best do better. I think the notes...simple; the "music" is another matter. Benjamin makes the music.

Zander's instructions are as insightful and informative for the audience' appreciation and analysis of the music as they are for the very talented musician. Wonderful!

Maestro Zander, your resemblance to Maestro Paul Tortelier is uncanny! Great lesson, I enjoyed watching it immensely. It reawoke fond memories from my childhood. Thank you sir for your passion.

My god ! This is the best of these videos that I have seen. What an amazing teacher this gentleman is. Were lucky to have him.

I found it can help me as a listener gain a lot more understanding of those pieces in the interpretation classes! I appreciate the fact that I can easily access these enlightening classes. Benjamin Zander is such a great teacher!

The cello playing is so beautiful and touching, and great teaching!

Have a relationship with the silence. Brilliant.

To this day I haven’t found a version of this piece on spotify that is played this beautifully… They all do exactly the same as the player in the beginning. Although beautiful, it doesn’t pull on my heart-strings as much as this young man after 30 seconds of coaching by Zander.

I looked for this piece and even without this interpretation class i like this version of all videos the most because it‘s so clear.