Customer Reviews

Bach: The 6 French Suites, Glenn Gould Anniversary Edition

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It's interesting and helpfully instructive to read on this page an oboist's take on this Bach and the incomparable rendering offered by Glenn Gould. The idea that perception creates concept is perhaps in no other instance as true as in assessing the idea of Bach's music. Bach's place in the musical world is as strong as it's ever been, and Gould's hand in that formidable reformation is embodied perfectly in this recording. Having survived the scourge of Enlightenment, it's taken long enough to convince musical pedagogy in particular of Bach's melodic instinct and its place in his vast transforming musical schemata. For all his staccati, humming, fingertip technique, invention of ornamentation and tempi, Glenn Gould ALWAYS affords listeners an unshadowed look into the life of melody in music, and is therefore a natural Bach interpreter. Gould never played the piano as percussion instrument, rather always as an instrument for singing (indeed often ceding to his own singing the edifying glory of counterpoint) and THAT, notwithstanding all else, makes his Bach life-giving and bequeaths to us a Bach for all time. Over and over again I'm struck by the golden reach of Gould's intent here, an intimate resilience and candor rivaled perhaps only by his interpretation of the Toccatas. This is not prescription Bach, and for that it eternally beckons and feeds us. Let the faint-hearted become strong! Recommended without reserve.

' When that I was but a little tiny boy,' as the song goes, my parents did their best to turn me into a pianist. While the experience taught me much about music, the keyboard turned out not to be my instrument, but the oboe. Regardless, the music of those often-frustrating years remains dear to me, and some of that was Bach's French Suites.

In my day one was taught that playing Bach was all about precision and tempo, two things that I never seemed to excel at. I'm typical of oboe players, lost in the melody, sometimes forgetting that there are other parts to pay attention to. Somehow I think that Glenn Gould and I are brothers under the skin. Although he was a far better musician than I became, and new darn well exactly what was important in a piece.

He sets you up with the Allemande from Suite No. 1 and then hares off for parts unexpected, squeezing each bit for all it is worth and then some. He mutates tempi, invents the ornamentation and proves, once and for all, that musicality frequently has little to do with what is printed on the sheet. In my youth, Gould was the essence of controversial, now I fiont he is like a fine wine, fill of unexpected flavors and unique harmonies.

If melody is God, Glenn Gould is it's prophet. The French Suites aren't meant to be rattled through, but to be mulled over for there finer points. Gould has a vision like few others and this untraditional approach brings you close to the music and its real beauty. He makes you wonder how Bach played this work, in the days before everyone made up the rules.

[Dedicated to Bob Zeidler, whose little finger knew more about music than I could ever hope to]

mr. gould was world renowned for his interpretations of many of bach's works for keyboard. here is a fine example of why--the playing is superb as gould evokes the passion and the energy of bach's french suites. these suites are not as lengthy nor as involved as the english suites, but they afford enough challenges to the pianist to make them mechanistic and devoid of feeling as the artist simply tries to make it through. here, though, there is a joy that comes through. mr. gould makes these completely crafted pieces sound improvisational and almost momentary in their construction. in short, they're fun to listen to. the effortlessness, though, is an illusion. the quality of the playing is entirely indicative of the effort applied. get this cd and enjoy!

I just picked this Cd up, having only heard the Suite in G major.
Once again i was dazzeled by Goulds technique at the piano. I know there must be a lot of people listening to Bach's piano music, but let me assure you that you're not receiving its full potential unless it is played by Gould! I own a lot of Bach, and other composers, all played by Gould. The man was a genius, and there has been no one like him. If you are thinking about getting this cd....stop thinking...start buying!! You won't be disappointed!!

Gould was a character, in every sense of the word. Reading his numerous articles, one is inspired and challenged by his complex and elegant thought... His music, especially his Bach interpretations, have been criticized and praised alike, by people who know eons more about Music Theory than I do.

I can, however, share with you my intense appreciation of these suites. This is absolutely the work of a genius. His rendering of Bach's music for keyboard is utterly original, superbly balanced, deliciously nuanced, and stand alone as an untouched benchmark.

For just one example:

Listen carefully to the wise melancholy that pours out in the second Menuetto of the First Suite. This is an interpretation which would astonish Bach himself, I am sure. No other performer will give you what you will hear in (at least) this specific movement: such living beauty, such exquisite heartbreak... vibrant and fragile, an absolute joy.

I am becoming a huge Glenn Gould fan. I first heard him about 15 years ago from a recording from my father. Listening to the Bach "French Suites" is an amazing experience. It is interesting to do some googling to learn more about Gould the man as well.

So much has been said about Glenn Gould’s way of playing J.S Bach. And the arguments will go on and on as long as people keep listening to his unique way of piano-playing. When you play a piece of music, big or small, you express your own understandings of that particular piece to others or to yourself (like A.B. Michelangeli once said of himself: “I do not play for others.”). It is not easy to have his musical idea well accepted by some of the listeners. Gould’s way is not everybody else’s way or so called ‘conventional way’. Gould is one of well known modern musical making ‘unconventional’. If everybody doing the same old conventional way of making music how can we have such a milestone of music making of Goldberg Variations, TWICE created by Glenn Gould? May be others they made very good recordings (stiffly sticking to the score) of Goldberg Variations. But, have you ever heard of Goldberg Variations fused with such a High Spirit and Inspiration? That’s Heaven brought to you on Earth by J.S. Bach through the hands of Glenn Gould. Well, please try out just one piece of this version of French Suite, ‘Suite No.5 in G-major, VII.Gigue,’ you will have a glimpse of what an insightful approach towards J.S Bach’s musical creation by way of Glenn Gould. Of cause Gould knows the ‘correct’ way of making music, but he has the capacity to go way beyond, beyond your usual, conventional way of approach. That’s what separates him from the crowd. Sometimes his way may not be successful with certain pieces of music, but with this Bach’s French Suite, he certainly is. The reason that I mentioned about Gould’s version of Goldberg Variations here is because this version of French Suite constantly reminds me of that piece of music making. Heaven is perfect and the visible or invisible perfect proportioned musical creation by J.S. Bach shows you the way of appreciation from Earth. By way of that, Glenn Gould’s got the vision.

I listen to this CD all the time. There is a simplicity and clarity to it that just puts my mind at ease. At times a bit frenetic, but always precise and of an even temper. Very much recommended.

There is no doubt - Bach and Gould make a utopian combination. I have just recently bought this disc and am loving it. Although some may argue about Gould's controversial take on tempo and interpretation, I think he has the right, after his years of devotion to this composer, to be a little elastic. Three cheers for early Gould!

Of all the many French Suite recordings I've heard, in spite of its eccentricities, this is the recording I return to, because every time I hear it, I hear something new and fresh. It has everything - and no other recorded-performer comes anywhere near such understanding, enthusiasm and dancing-qualities.