Ray Chen Tartini Devil's Trill Sonata arr. Kreisler

The name “Devil’s Trill” comes from a dream Tartini had, where the devil appeared before him and asked to be his servant and granted all he desired. Tartini decided to give the devil his violin to test his skill, whereupon the devil proceeded to play the most wondrous melody Tartini had ever heard. Upon awakening, he frantically tried to write down the melody he had just heard but could not for the life of him remember how it went. He often lamented this fact throughout his entire life. The devil's blessing is often a curse in disguise.

In Tartini’s own words:
“How great was my astonishment on hearing a sonata so wonderful and so beautiful, played with such great art and intelligence, as I had never even conceived in my boldest flights of fantasy. I felt enraptured, transported, enchanted: my breath failed me, and I awoke. I immediately grasped my violin in order to retain, in part at least, the impression of my dream. In vain!”

- Broadcast live at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam on 17th February 2019 with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta

_______________________________________

RAY CHEN

[paulafox]

It's really not fair for someone to be so talented and skilled WHILE looking that good.

[kevinl]

It’s extremely hard to get a standing ovation out of a European audience. Congrats Ray. I t was very moving.

[Kaylaa]

I saw Ray yesterday playing this piece at his concert in Tilburg. His sound is even a hundred times more beautiful live than it is in the video.

[FlipFlopRanch]

I just burned my dinner because I was too busy watching him play

[pembe]

No one coughed...



That's a big success you know

[davidl]

Bravo! Love you, Ray. Could listen to you play all day.

[p.]

I was like 13 years old when I first heard this sonata and had a tremendous impact in me, it became one of my all time favorites. I feel that hearing this interpreted by Ray is one of the best gifts life has ever given me. Ray is undoubtedly an amazing virtuoso, but what makes him so special is that, besides being a wonderful, wonderful person, he plays from his very core and soul. He reaches for your heart and either squeezes it or holds it in the most beautiful way.

[lu]

Reading the first comments I realize, if you're not a twoset violin follower, you won't understand half of the comments and classical music jokes here and everywhere. I follow them for a long time now so, it's time well spent... That and of course violin PRACTICE! 😀

[trigger]

During the cadenza, it really felt like the Devil was on stage. Incredible

[chingsamsung]

Dad pun alert:


That was a truly trilling performance to listen to!

[dannyboy]

Larghetto ma non troppo
0:01 Soft beginning
0:33 Brighter part
1:39 Hopeful part
1:54 Beautiful double stops

Allegro moderato
3:08 Powerful & dance-like
4:45 Anxious part
5:30/5:41 Tense to bright part
6:07 Ending of powerful part

Grave
6:16 Sorrowful part

Allegro assai
7:17 Aggressive part
7:51 Intensifying part
9:13 Similar to 7:17
9:42 Similar to 7:51
11:00 Similar to 7:17 & 9:13
11:36 Cadenza introduction
11:51 Cadenza
13:14 Cadenza end part
14:02 The ending

[frog_inabog_]

15:20 the commentator is killing me lmao
"ray chen, who's been upstairs by now, and now back down the stairs, two or three steps at a time"

[gothicel]

TwoSetViolin needs to make a vid on this performance and that crazy technique Ray use. This is crazy wonderful.

[samtheman]

Wow, here is the real sacrilegious boi...
Making this beautiful Baroque era sound like it was made in the 20th century.

Good job Ray.

[ThisOldHorn]

Stunning performance Maestro Chen, I am a 73 year old lifetime musician but beginning violin, yes at this late date. I follow you avidly. Bravo!

[pinsk]

I once checked Ray's performance schedule only to find out he actually played close to me the night before. i was pissed

[ethantran]

The bulging eyeballs at 4:25. Classic Ray Chen.

[tommeng]

Tartini didn't see the devil; he saw Ling Ling!

[johnhunter]

Now that Ray is a bit older, a more masculine bravura appears in his playing, which I find really caps off his artistry. He is playing from the soles of his feet, rather from his head now.

[eurly]

I think we found ling ling... What an incredible performance. Amazing Ray, amazing.