Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Glenn Gould (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Glenn Gould
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (February 7, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028NK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,340 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 7-FEB-1995

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding. I never tire of this magnificent performance., March 16, 1999

By 

[e-mail] "[e-mail]" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811 (Audio CD)

OK, I admit it. I am a Glenn Gould fan. But I am even more a fan of Bach. There are many fine interpreters of Bach on keyboard. Roslyn Tureck is one of the greatest, and her versions of the Goldberg Variations are among the best. Gavrilov does a fine job with the French Suites. But I always keep coming back to Gould.

The English Suites are more profound than the French Suites, though both offer many rewards for repeated listening. However, the English Suites surpass both the French Suites and the Partitas in the pleasure they have given me over the years.

This recording offers Gould at his most sensitive and Bach at his greatest. Very highly recommended.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Gould Playing Bach, for God's Sake, November 9, 2001

By 

Snow Leopard (Urbana, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811 (Audio CD)

Why should one get this? It is music by one of, if not THE, greatest composers of all time performed by the eccentric, but nevertheless THE, utter master of that composer. Does it matter that it is the English Suites? Not at all. It could just as easily be the French Suites. In fact, the wise buyer acquires them both, with the Goldberg Variations. But if you are still not sold....

Most people associate Bach (rightly) with fugues which, for the most part, do not have catchy melodies. Consequently, there seems to be this notion that Bach suffers from a shortage of melody. Untrue as this is, the English Suites nevertheless give you plenty to dance to, because all of the individuals pieces of the six suites here are based on dance forms (none especially English, by the way).

More cerebrally, but no less sublimely, though "simple" dance forms at root, Bach's genius for counterpoint makes them ceaselessly fascinating to listen to. One can literally pick out a musical line and follow it from start to end in (imagined) isolation. (Bach makes this easy for you in his Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, and his Partitas for Solo Violin--find Grumiaux's version if you can.)

And all of this genius is performed with the eccentric brilliance of Glenn Gould, who brings a literally breathtaking array of both virtuosity and musicianship to the pieces. But how can I possibly describe the thrill I get hearing him play (and play Bach at that). You simply must experience it for yourself.

I could just say, "Wow".

If you like intricate music that is not simply a jigsaw to listen to, and if you have the least ear for appreciating piano technique, then this disc (and any other Gould playing Bach) is a match made in Heaven.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, July 25, 2000

By 

"sewob" (Akron, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811 (Audio CD)

I agree with all of the below reviews in praise of this recording. The only flaw I have noticed on this disc is some pretty atrocious tuning problems throughout, particularly at some of the most rewarding moments of the Fourth Suite. Ouch! Edits are made between sections, obviously separately recorded, which are nearly a quarter tone apart. This recording is VERY rewarding, but for those with sensitive ears, beware!