Johann Sebastian Bach, Glenn Gould - Bach: The Goldberg Variations

The clear-cut rhythms, riveting articulation, and contrapuntal acumen of Glenn Gould's 1955 debut Goldberg Variations characterize this 1981 remake to strikingly different results. This later version is more deliberate in pacing, stark in expression, thoughtful with ornamentation, and tightly organized (if a mite theatrical) in terms of tempo relationships. Whereas there are no repeats from 1955, Gould now observes "A" section repeats in the canons, the Fughetta, and other fugue-like variations. The rapid, cross- handed sequences still dazzle with pinpointed fingerwork, yet the slower tempos better serve the music's dance-like qualities. Unlike Sony Classical's better sounding Glenn Gould Edition transfer, the original CBS Masterworks CD still has no banding cues. --Jed Distler Amazon.com essential recording

Crammed CD - try the DVD instead.

The sound on the CD is just as good as my old vinyl recording, but the pauses between tracks are either extremely short or non-existent. This invariably proves irritating. I'm not a sound-engineer so I don't know if there's any way this could have been fixed, at least without turning the recording into a MIDI file, which I would cheerfully purchase for playback on my MIDI piano. But then would it still sound like Glenn at the keyboard? Final opinion? I don't own the DVD version yet but i'd try it, if only for its greater capacity. August 2, 2008

Defective CDs

I received a defective CD and returned it for another. The second CD was also defective - beware. January 19, 2008

Classic

I bought this CD for my mother as she could not buy it in any stores. She loves it. December 27, 2007

Perfection - Hums and all...

One wonders what it takes to impress some people. One reviewer actually said that Gould "possibly wasn't a great pianist"! Who should I believe? Such luminaries as Yehudi Menuhin and Vladimir Ashkenazy who stated "Gould was an idol of mine", or someone who's written a lot of internet reviews and is therefore somehow above world class musicians by default? I agree with the reviewer who stated that it doesn't get any better than this. This is one of the greatest composers and one of the greatest pianists of all time at their absolute best. If the humming distracts you that much, take some Ritalin or learn to focus. July 15, 2007

Words cannot decribe it

I love Bach's music, and generally insist on two things; firstly, that it is played a little slower than we are generally served it; and secondly that it is played on traditional instruments. When I first heard Glenn Gould's 1981 recording, I realised how ridiculous that second requirement was, and how important that first requirement was. The music on this album just swept me away. There is no other recording of the Goldberg Variations that I've listened to that even comes close to it.

The technical mastery of Gould goes without saying, but what really struck me with this album was the spirit with which this music is played - the feeling Gould breathes into the work. This is most evident in the opening Aria, which takes you on a journey of the most exquisite emotions. It is played very slowly than any other known recordng. I lack the words to describe it - words like "subliminal", "instropective" bubble to the surface, and above all very human. Bach can be played very mechanically, but not here. Complimented by Gould's ghostly humming, occasionally rising to the level of audibility, Aria sounds like it comes straight from his soul, and allows you to experience a range of extraordinary emotions. It takes you out of yourself. Not once does he use the pedals.

This is just mind-blowing - buy it!
March 20, 2007

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