Bach: The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080 (Excerpts); Prelude and Fugue on Bach, BWV 898

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

Product Details

• Performer: Glenn Gould
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (February 25, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028NF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,652 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Fugues
  • #67 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Improvisation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Final work from Emperor of music, June 30, 2000

By 

Launio Rafaele Kaleva (Helsinki,Finland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach: The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080 (Excerpts); Prelude and Fugue on Bach, BWV 898 (Audio CD)

This sadly unrated cd is a gem within two major reasons: first,it has an perhaps one of the most oddest combinations of same work what comes to the instruments,Piano and Organ.Second:it contains Bach's last work,Contrapunctus XIV perfomed by the best one,Glenn Gould who plays the piece like it would be Bach himself in his last hours of life,so beautiful full of majastety it is.The Recording in a whole isn't perhaps the best example of sound quality,cause many of the Contrapunctus which are played in a piano,are quite old.Still,a must for Gould-lover are the Organ pieces which are unique from him and the glorious last contrapunctus which haven't met it's winner or honestly even competitor,despite numerous recordings for various instruments of it.i warmly recommend this,for anyone who understands Bach's beauty and Gould's unique interpreparation to it.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Stimulating, June 20, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Bach: The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080 (Excerpts); Prelude and Fugue on Bach, BWV 898 (Audio CD)

First the negatives...the CD contains only excerpts...1-9 on organ, then various ones on piano, from various recording sessions. This CD is shrouded in mystery, from the rare Gould organ appearance, condemned by critics, to the extremely complex Contrapunctus 14 which was unfinised in the recording. Glenn Gould, though, handles these pieces with amazing intelligence and intensity. The organ excerpts make your spine tingle with their rich complex nature where Bach can almost be heard speaking through Gould. If you're not feeling adventurous, and want a finished, consistent recording, perhaps this is not the best choice. But if you want a brilliant and fascinating rendition of what is here, which will stimulate your brain in amazing ways, you may want to chack out this CD when you are feeling adventurous.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great Unfinished Fugue sparkles, February 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080 (Excerpts); Prelude and Fugue on Bach, BWV 898 (Audio CD)

All of Gould's recordings--on organ and on piano--of "The Art of Fugue" are happily gathered together here on one CD. Sadly, Gould did not record the entire work. That said, I recommend this one highly. Among other things, it's the first time I've heard Gould on the organ. The music seems to suit his skills on the instrument. What puts this CD over the top for me is his performance of the Great Unfinished Fugue. It's special. Even for those out there who don't like Gould's playing, it's something to hear. 4 Stars because it's not the complete "Fugue." But beware, some performers leave out the final fugue. And some play a completed version. Full recommendation of the Gould CD.