David Fray: J.S. Bach - Swing, Sing and Think

Utterly fascinating! Fray is a huge talent, and some of his Bach playing on this dvd is as good as any I've heard, from anyone, anywhere, anytime. Yes, Fray's body language is beyond eccentric -- he reminds me of Keith Jarrett in the old days, dry-humping his Steinway. Think Lang Lang, on crack. But the music! The feeling! The brains! Hey, this kid is the Real Deal. By the way, Fray's directions to the chamber ensemble are some of the most obscure, nuttiest, and most poetic instructions ever delivered to a group of professional musicians. At times, it seems they're about to burst out laughing at the young Maestro...but then they hunker down and give him what he wants...and the result is absolutely convincing. In the end, they buy his vision, and they're happy they did. With this video, Monsaingeon has given us some of the most illuminating -- and laugh-out-loud hilarious -- rehearsal footage ever shot. Don't wait, just buy this dvd!

Part 1 of it are the three rehearsals directed by David Fray himself, part 2 the beautiful performances.Part 1 was very fascinating, both by the expressive and nuanced Bach interpretations by Fray, and also I never saw a director directing practically with his face! Of course, its a very handsome young face and I suspect Bruno Monsaingeon open the video with David Fray playing briefly with his beautiful actress wife Chiara Muti watching so that you won't think the attractive long-haired genius is gay. Lots of nice closeups of Fray and the excellent musicians enhance this fine video. A must have, IMO, for Bach lovers.

I cannot recommend this DVD enough. David Fray is a pianist/musician of the highest order. Watching him play and conduct and watching the musicianshe plays with react to his suggestions is both great fun and magical. He is able to coax some great playing from the orchestra which is composed ofolder musicians than he is. The slow movement of the Bach is gorgeous. Highly recommended!

What a performance!! I must have recommended this DVD to at least 15 friends. Brilliant coaching of a Northern German chamber orchestra by a young French "incarnation" of Bach!

It is the most beautifull DVD I've ever seen. It's amazing his feelling, his music,his technique and his charm. This DVD is a must have, but only for them with good taste!!!

Swing, Sing and Think is a chronicle of the young French pianist David Fray's recording sessions of three of Bach's famous clavier concertos. Each chapter features a few minutes of Fray at home in Paris explicating his interpretation of the score at his piano, followed by rehearsal and recording sessions he conducts with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.It's easy to see why Monsaingeon made this film: Fray's a character. Young, handsome, and talented but extremely melodramatic. As he plays piano, he wears his emotions on his face, from gloom to rapture to heartbroken to basically coital, much to the amusement of the veteran musicians of the Kammerphilharmonie, who amiably attempt to follow the variously vague, flowery, and obtuse musical instructions of this young, passionate French stereotype.The music that emerges from these sessions is great-- a very fresh take on familiar music. For all his intense facial expressions, Fray is an immensely talented pianist with deeply sophisticated interpretations of Bach. But the film's greatest success is capturing the imprecise art of musical collaboration and the synergy that emerges here DESPITE the core tension between Fray and the Kammerphilharmonie.Fray's a talent worth watching and this DVD is, too.

Judged by the cover, you'd think this is just another competent musician picked up by the label for marketing opportunities due to what you'd have to admit are his obvious good looks whether you're gay, straight, man, woman or martian or anything in between. Well I'm pleased to report that Mr Frey is a wonderful pianist - he brings Bach to life in such a joyous and rhythmical way. This (what my wife refers to as 'gorgeous') fellow - (she may be right!) is one of the best Bach pianists since Gould. And from what I've heard of his Mozart and seen of his input when giving conductors his opinions I think he might even end up a talented conductor one day. Now get this marketed to the girls that buy the boy band stuff so they might expand their musical world! Great stuff! (Although I do note this was released in 2009 - probably filmed in 2008 or even 07, so he might be looking a lot more like me nowadays.)

I loved it and wanted to keep it but it stopped playing at the same point an hour or so into on both of my DVD players so I sent it back.