Bach: Goldberg Variations [Import]

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

Product Details

• Performer: Glenn Gould
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025TP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,287 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is a better version of this recording, May 15, 2000

By 

C. Robinson (San Mateo, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach: Goldberg Variations (Audio CD)

A spirited, irreverant recording that turned the world on its ear back in 1955. Comparisons to his 1981 recording notwithstanding, this is an extraordinary performance with considerable historical value.

However, it was given a 20-bit remaster in 1992 and re-released as "Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: Goldberg Variations" (Sony Catalog #52594). The remastered version has noticably clearer sound and more music: two fugues from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' are thrown in as a bonus.

If sound quality is important to you, the remastered version is worth the extra 5 bucks.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Glenn Gould fan at middle age., March 15, 2000

By 

"zoe11111" (Maryland , USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Goldberg Variations (Audio CD)

I'm hardly a Bach affcionado although I've always enjoyed listening to his works in my life along with other composers. When I accidentally watched video clips of Glenn Gould's performance of Goldberg variations for the first time, It made me curiously emotional like no other. Words are inadequate to describe the child-like feeling after I listend to the first few variations. I walked over to my young sleepy cat and kissed his nose... That is what this particular recording made me do. Not everyone need to talk about classical music like a wine connoisseur. I feel lucky to have found this simple, yet sublime sound by this truly gifted pianist.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A revelation to the music world in 1955, still is in 2001, April 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: Goldberg Variations (Audio CD)

It is hard to underestimate this breakthrough recording by young Glenn Gould. At a time when Bach was very serious music, when few even wanted to touch his keyboard works, Gould started a storm of change with this recording. Just listening to pre-Gould recordings of Goldberg Variations, or even any Bach keyboard work, played with harpsichord or piano, and you'll find how presemptious and, in fact, a bit boring, Bach indeed could sound. People might argue that Gould more sounds like Gould than Bach, but is that really an issue? Even Bach, in good baroque tradition, was a well-known improvisor and imitator that changed his style frequently as demanded by his temper and audience. The key here is to move people with Bachs intentions, not to plainly copy. In fact, I like when I can hear who is playing, it adds personality and blood, especialy in the case of Mr Gould's tour de force and exquisite, almost hyphnotic tempi effects and phrasing. OK, I won't get deeper into that discussion. Gould died too young, and so far no one of the some 75 recoridings has surpassed him on the Goldbergs, my opinion. BUY THIS RECORD AND HIS 1981 VERSION. If you're a real buff, try his 1954 CBC and 1959 Salzburg live recordings as well.