5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Performance Captured in both sound & packaging design, January 22, 2012
This review is from: The 1955 Goldberg Variations - Birth Of A Legend (Audio CD)
This recording of the Watershed 1955 performance of Bach's Aria with 30 Variations better known as the "Goldberg Variations" is stunningly beautiful. The sound from what would seem to be from an age before technological breakthroughs in sound recording is clean and clear with a fullness and great imaging. It sounds as if you were in the studio listening to him play. The performance is more soulful and personal sounding than the 1981 performance. He was only 22 years old when he recorded this piece. A quick review of Glenn Gould on the website AllMusic.com reveals that this recording has never been out of print. That says much about this amazing performance of a beautiful composition. I first became aware of this music when I tried to identify music used in the movie "Silence of the Lambs". This music was used in a very violent and eerie segment of the movie. Now to the packaging which for me is a Very Important Reason To Buy This Edition. The CD comes in a miniature version of the original Vinyl LP sleeve. I really appreciate the replica Vinyl Sleeve and hope to own the LP version someday. I own the 1981 performance on Vinyl. It comes in a cardboard box that houses the replica CD and a book of photographs and writings about Gould and the Goldberg Variations. The book is informative and visually appealing. Your music is better protected and in a far more interesting and useful package than a plastic CD case. Having just bought a box set of Shelly Manne at the Blackhawk that arrived cracked and falling apart this set was a pleasant surprise. I could not tell how it was packaged when I bought it and assumed it would be in the usual plastic cd case. I bought this through an amazon reseller and I got a sealed copy for a very, very reasonable price. If you love piano music and are considering this piece of music I highly recommend this edition. I also have a Keith Jarrett performance of the "Goldberg Variations" and as much a fan as I am of Keith Jarrett I this is my favorite version. You will not be sorry if you purchase this edition.
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