Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

It would be churlish to give this disc less than five stars, considering how beautifully and brilliantly Glenn Gould played Bach, however odd the interpretation. The organ here is, however, quite weird--sometimes bleating and minimalist, sometimes a model of contrapuntal clarity, but always feeling a little like a piano played on the organ. The BWV 898, played mercifully on Gould's favorite old Steinway, is a work of genius.