Customer Reviews

Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811 is a sublime recording with the amazing and eccentric Glenn Gould. I am a huge fan of both Bach and Gould so this is a match made in heaven. Sony Music has done an excellent job and the sound quality is great. The book-let is a bit thin but serves it purpose with several photos of Gould and a very well-written essay by Michael Stegemann. Gould's amazing ability as a piano matches with Bach's genius and I bet that Bach himself would have been pleased with his performance. This is easily a 5 star performance.

To follow up on a sentiment expressed by a previous reviewer, you get less music per dollar now that Sony Classical has bought CBS Records. When these pieces appeared on the CBS label, Bach's French Overture was included with these English Suites; clearly, there was enough space on two CDs to make that work. Nevertheless, Sony excised the French Overture altogether, leaving you with only the English Suites. Moreover, the complete French Suites (also played by Gould) appeared on a single CBS CD but now span two Sony CDs. The filler on the second disc? The same French Overture transplanted from this recording.

The bottom line? English Suites + French Suites + French Overture = 3 CDs on CBS, 4 CDs on Sony. You pay more with Sony. Just be aware of that.

The way Gould plays the suites is incredible. Particularly the second, the prelude of which is one of the most exciting pieces of recorded music I know. The speed and clarity of his playing, the precise individuality with which he asserts each voicin discourse reveal the staggering intellectual challenge, and, subsequently, the profound rewards of this music. I have listened to this constantly for the past three weeks and am continually engaged, both by the music as it is precisely delivered, and by the intelligence of the interpretation. Incidentally, I have not heard Rosolyn Tureck's Goldberg variations. However, I would disagree with the writer above who praised her Bach interpretations, on at least one point: Her Well tempered Clavier is utterly boring and uninteresting. It is soporific. Here again, I would highly reccomend Gould, whose interpretation is very inventive and exciting.

One of the multiple devices employed very often by Mr. Gould in his different performances was the exact use of the color tonal . So when you listen even the inner movements of every one of the Suites you are inmersed in another dimension level .
The third Suite is my favorite one . I confess it . In this piece Gould atacks the notes and surrounds them with softness , moderato cantabile and noblesse sound . He was really inspired with these performances and even these Suites are not so stylized as the French Suites , for instance , they are clearly an important way to get close to the fierce , advanced and out of time musical ideas expossed all the way .
Think for instance in the Prelude of the Second Suite or in the Sarabande of the Third . The melodies are pregnant of cosmical breath . Bach must never sound romantic , because this approach transforms the spirit of the work .
The real inspiration motives of Bach are far away this world and its circunstance and when Gould plays he seems to be a direct pupil from Bach . Gould never abuses of the forte piano , he plays slghly and never allows the hands produce a percusive sound . This ignored detail you feel in other keyboardists but hardly in GG .
Acquire this set as soon as you can .

When Bach wrote the English Suites I'm sure he wanted them to be exiting, relaxing, enjoyable to listen to, ect... When Gould plays Bach's English Suites, he conqueres all of these aspects...perfectly. Because of this you will find yourself listening to these CD's over and over again, without getting bored of them. Gould's interpretations were always different, in many different ways. For an example: he sometimes had the tendancy to exaggerate greatly on the tempo markings by either slowing things down or speeding them up, either way they are still fun to listen to. But one thing that he would always show in his recordings was his control over the piano, and the fact that he could play the piano and make it seem as if he himself were talking to us. This is shown abundantly in the recording of the English Suites.

One could describe this music as reaching the pinnacle of musical achievement. It's beautiful, it changes everything around you. My wife brought it into her classroom - all the children worked intently and quietly, all mesmerized by the harmonious counterpoint of Bach by Gould. I can never tire of it.

Absolutely the best and original Bach performer, this is just one of a must have recording for a serious music lover