I'm glad finally someone doesn't play this piece at the speed of light

I had the privilege of hearing Szeryng perform this same piece on a recital back in 1967. He walked into the recital hall five minutes before he was to play. Quickly tuned his instrument and without warming up sounded just like he does here.

What a beautiful and clear tone! This is how music should be. Pure and straight from the soul.

It's amazing how he can turn a ridiculously challenging piece of music and make it sound so clean and simple to play.

His intonation is so perfect and i love his interpretation :):)

I don't know. Something about the works of Bach just really strikes a chord in me.

Master violinist, war hero, great humanitarian. Szeryng is caring.

it still boggles my mind how Bach could've thought of writing something like this on the violin.

Now this is how Bach needs to be played! Not just plain robotic technical performing - as with so many undoubtedly talented musicians - but within the music itself. Brilliant.

It’s hard to believe he’s been “gone” for so long- but Maestro Szeryng’s magnificent playing lives on. This is beautiful.

wonderful.. thanks for Szeryng ;)

His playing is thoughtful, deliberate, and patient. A truly mature rendition =)

I have his Bach CD and I just listen to it again and again and again... It's so good

Holy shit. I think that's as close to perfect as one can get with playing this piece. Amazing. That was out of this world, really. This interpretation and performance belong to the category of what one could call "transcendental"

In my opinion, this is the best Bach ever. I'm also very fond of Menuhin and Milstein's interpretations. But man, to me this guy really understands Bach. I believe Bach would've enjoyed listening to him very much.

Brilliant. One of the most difficult pieces of music ever written' in my opinion and he played it perfectly. Any one thinks this sounds "mechanical" knows little.

Nobody can play this fuga like him.There are no words to describe this.

He has one of the best left hand formations ever. That's why he plays this with ease.

Simply wonderful. I find that Szeryng somehow expresses pathos in a most captivating way, a most beautiful and longing expression.

Here exists true essential fugue that was played by a certain great violinist which is called Henryk Szeryng. Thanks to him, we were able to comprehend what J.S Bach's fugue is basically. From Tokyo

Il più grande interprete di Bach. Le sue sonate per violino solo sono la bibbia, per noi violinisti. Grazie, maestro!!!!

a true performance of the famous fugue! outstanding. Bach's music at his finest

Breathtaking utter perfection...

My God! this guy is just so perfect--his intonation, blow placement, everything! Wow! And I thought Hilary Hahn was one of a kind. This guy is way above her!

can't really beat this interpretation! love it. thanks for posting

unbelievably great performance of this demanding fugue, probably the greatest ever.

when it comes to Bach, everybody else is playing for 2nd place; Szeryng is the undisputed king.

This is literally the best thing i have ever heard out of a violin.EVER.

Il suo Bach!!! Musa per tutti noi violinisti.... Grandissimo ed unico Szeryng.

I heard from someone who played with Henryk szeryng for four years in the 70's that he never really practiced any of his repertoire that much except for Bach, which he practiced every day of his life. By listening to this Bach it makes me wonder how amazing he would have been at other pieces had he worked just as hard on them.

Well, Bach played violin himself so he obviously knew exactly what the instrument was capable of. This is such a great performance, I love the steady timing of the opening, he doesnt rush at all. Easier said than done! Best video on here.

my favourite interpretation of this fugue. Love it so much. He influenced me a lot on my interpretation for this movement 💕 ^_^

Simply wonderful. I find that Szeryng somehow expresses pathos in a most .captivating way, a most beautiful and longing expression. thumbs way up on this.

heavenly music and heavenly playing. I really like it that way and feel like having found a beautiful treasure of violin playing.

Amazing, I'm an old-school's enthusiastic. I really liked that version and the proprierty from Mr. Szeryng not only at the violin but at each of the composer's posible intentions about the piece.

perfect. such clarity on the triple stops.

his bow placement and control! its soo incredible!

His Bach interpretations are amazing. So clean and beautiful...

Splendid...I remember a concert 40 years ago where Szerying generously offered this as an encore after a concerto, and even in a very large hall achieved a marvellous transparency in the separation of the voices.

New generations should listen the old masters...

this has to be one of the towering compositions for any solo instrument for all time. when i listen i can't figure out how one violin is playing all the parts so i thought i would waatch it and maybe then... i still can't grasp it. imagine the genius of bach writing this gorgeous stuff and having to keep track of what the player can do physically. mind boggling.

When the word “awesome” perfectly describes the object. This has a better sound than his other b/w video on KZfaq.

this is the best intonation:)

one of the best interpretations, imo

Absolutely magnificent!

Oh! I have no word about his Bach Fuga articulation at all. I would feel that his Bach musical interpretation is so graceful and appropriate tempo is beautiful. to be sure, that's depend on his skillful articulated bowing yeah! veryvery nice touch. (91yrs.Japanese)

This has to be my very favorite interpretation of my very favorite piece.

18 people were jealous of Szeryng making this HARD piece look easy!!

I have never heard a bad recording by Szeryng. Tremendous polish, well-balanced, intellectually satisfying, unfailing technique, beautiful tone.

Absolutely the greatest!

It is so beautiful!!

como hacia para tocar tan PERFECTO

This is beautiful...

I love it!!!! he is the man!!!

Oh I forgot to mention, this guy has the most accurate intonation I've ever heard. I've watched every video of Henryk Szeryng on youtube and I haven't heard a single flat or sharp note in any of his performances. I can't say that about any other violinist I've ever listened to.

Havent seen u for a long time. Thanks for ur wonderful videos in utube. :) also for this one. I love it. Thanks

Not only his left, also his right hand/his bow technique is amazing!;)

the best interpreter EVER of bach!!! EVER!! great szeryng, grande violonista e grande uomo

Woooow what a quality.... amazing

incredible,best fuga ever.

amazing

Superb.TY SamLee for posting.

i've fallen in love with him once again!!

This is the best Fugue in Gm I've heard sofar . Thanks goodness that Henryk Szeryng did ignore the " Allegro " indication on many printed scores of this fugue to bring out all the contrapuntal voices so clearly . And lots of thanks to SamLee0519 for posting this clip .

God Loves music, it's because of musicians like this I've never had to question why. ~

no comment necessary. simply wonderful.

beautiful...:):)

wow... i was entranced. the music was very charismatic, and it was like ... i was only thinking about Fuga. i watched the entire thing, with nothing on my mind. That is a magnificient performance, in my opinion.

The BEST!!

It's the best version I've ever heard...

Its very interesting to hear this interpretation from Szeryng when you also play this Fuga and practise with the arranged notes from him!

this is THE video that made me take up the violin this and presto are my 2 favorite pieces.

So elegant..

perfect grade

i feel ya buddy, this speaks to my soul

incredible

fantastic violin !!!!!!

omg! speechless ...

perfecto ..

Beautyfull

Magistral

GOAT - Greatest Of All Time

The two pieces are so different, that I will not indulge into comparing them. All I can say is that it takes supreme artistic sense to play either well (at least by my standard as a listener). Many "Masters" just weren't able to deliver when it came down to these two monumental works and I think it takes more than just technical mastery to get them even close to what they are. Szeryng is one of the few who could pull it off in my opinion.

I'm not into classical music much, even though I play the violin & piano. But I've gotta say: THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!! :)

wow what incredible bow it seems very responsive also bigger than I am used to see.

GRANDE!

My favourite recording ❤️

the greatest for bach...hands down

Performance and interpretation beyond criticism.

In my opinion, Szeryng is THE best Bach violinist. I could never decide who my favorite Bach player was until I heard Szeryng play the Chaconne and suddenly it became very clear to me who my favorite Bach violinist was.

playing this now...FML

The best rendition of this piece I have ever heard. His chords and tonation are perfect. What violin is this? it sounds beautiful

amazing how he makes it sound like two violins playing at once...

How does he make his bow so light? And his left hand is crazy good

omg!! perfect, what a beatiful interpretation, thx for posting. I love this fugue, i can play it almost completely, the only problem i find is that you need a regular-good violin to lose all the cracky sounds that excessive chords can make, i prefer not playing it at home cause i make too much noise ^^.

this song is really difficult too, in my opinion of every movement in bachs first sonata this one takes the cake, but it sounds so cool ill master it one day

agreed my friend, agreed. *tears*

excelente

Menuhin and Szeryng are my favorite Bach players.

this breaks my mind. I'm going to go cry and play scales.