MLYT: Bach's Toccata and Fugue in Dm on Guitar

November 18, 2008 4:11 PM

California Guitar Trio plays a quiet version of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in Dm. Here is another solo electric version by Sean Conklin. Finally here is a passionate acoustic electric treatment by Michael Fix.
posted by RussHy (14 comments total)

Loved the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Thanks RussHy.
posted by nickyskye at 5:02 PM on November 18, 2008

Thanks for the link, all 3 were beautiful. I saw this guy linked on the solo electric version. Amazing tapping on a double necked guitar and the craziest guitar face I have ever seen.
posted by phirleh at 5:13 PM on November 18, 2008

My mother is a church organist and she hates this piece. She calls it a potboiler. But I have always loved it.
posted by RussHy at 5:20 PM on November 18, 2008

There's also Dave Grossman, who rocks the Bach bass.
posted by zamboni at 5:22 PM on November 18, 2008

phirleh:

That guy is great. He's been FPPed before.
posted by RussHy at 5:24 PM on November 18, 2008

Why doesn't he just play a damn piano?
posted by gottabefunky at 5:55 PM on November 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

As ten years ago I was entering the circus tent that used to be one of the most popular rock venues in my home city (before being remade into a larger, better-sounding but quite soulless theater), on my way to my first King Crimson concert, the California Guitar Trio, as an unbilled supporting act, were ending their set in front of a mostly oblivious public with their rendition of Bach's Toccata in Dm. I was in for a great show, but what a disappointment not being able to watch their set from start to end.
posted by _dario at 6:00 PM on November 18, 2008

I've seen them front and centre at a free outdoor show for the Montreal Jazz Fest. The crowd completely lost it after Bohemian Rhapsody. Great band.
posted by furtive at 7:06 PM on November 18, 2008

wow this is really cool, thanks.

The thing that struck me was how much it sounded like the CCM baroque harpsichord rendition I have floating around somewhere.
posted by lonefrontranger at 7:27 PM on November 18, 2008

The Toccata blew me away as well. There were a few times the timing was off... which made me wince for a moment, but then I realized how bloody amazing it was they managed to be on time even a tiny fraction of the performance! Anyone know where I could find/buy an mp3 with that track on it?
posted by phrontist at 7:29 PM on November 18, 2008

I hate/can't stand the way acoustic/electrics sound in their lowest ranges, but other than that (which really only comes into play in the first third) this is amazing. I love how each guitar has a distinct sound.
posted by xorry at 7:42 PM on November 18, 2008

I love the Toccata and Fugue in Dminor. While looking around, I found this interesting graphical display of on organ rendition.
posted by eye of newt at 11:01 PM on November 19, 2008

eye of newt, that was beautiful. Thanks.
posted by RussHy at 5:14 AM on November 20, 2008

phrontist: this would be the record you're after.
posted by _dario at 12:21 PM on November 21, 2008