Customer Reviews

Bach: Goldberg Variations

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A gift for melodic expression and an unerring sense of rhythm make Tureck's the most satisfying of currently available Goldbergs. Not as intellectually pioneering as either of the Gould sets, this is nonetheless the most overtly beautiful of all, calling to mind Schiff at his most expressive.

Very strong competition from all the other famous sets, but this one has a little more heart and song. In any case, to reasonably appreciate any one set, comparison is essential and one needs 3 or 4 of the great versions - at least. The lucky ones will include this among them.

Like several of the previous reviewers, I have collected numerous versions of the Goldberg Variation (including three of the Tureck performances), this being my favorite piece of music in the universe. To my mind, this live performance recorded in the 80's is without a doubt, the best ever Goldberg. Like all other Tureck performances, there is extraordinary authority, integrity, and a sense of inevitability. Unlike some of her earlier and later versions, there is also is this version tremendous spontaneity and naturalness, and most of all, a sense of profound joy.

The supposedly popular recordings (e.g., by Gould or Perahia) are simply not in the same league.

She deserves the highest praise for her interpretation, character, as well as her perfection in the combination of sonority and touch that is almost divine.

I should have listened to this recording a second time before reviewing it last week. It's true that I was put off a little by the pace the first time I heard it, but a subsequent hearing convinced me that this is one of the very finest Bach recordings I have ever heard. What it has besides skill and taste is character. I expect to play this frequently in the comming months.

Very thoughtful and deliberate. Beautiful tone and clear polyphonic structure. This is the crystallization of Turek's distinguished insight into Bach's keyboard music that has been built up from long-time study and a number of concerts. I believe Bach himself will surely be fascinated to listen to this interpretation. However, the variation of tempo is a little bit monotonous.

As a pianist and listener of every version of the Goldberg Variations that I can find, Roslyn Tureck's version possesses an emotional quality that is ineffable and unmatched by any standard. The sheer simplicity of her peformance far overwhelms any other pianist's desire to perform by technical wizardry. She serves the music alone, not herself or her anudience, and that is the highest praise any performer can earn.

Dinu Lipatti with his magical performance of 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desering' (arr. myra Hess) is also elevated to this level of playing as Rosalyn Tureck's. The comment of Myra Hess about Lipatti's performance of 'Jesu, ...' that it is three minutes of musical bliss, applies to Tureck's performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations.

Glenn Gould got all the publicity but if you want real Bach playing by an expert who devoted her life to it, try this recording of the Goldberg Variations. Tureck was not flashy or fussy -- no audible moaning and sighing here. She was the opposite of a prima donna. She served the music rather than making the music serve her. Of course, her technique was flawless and she plays with such quiet authority and color. I love this recording.

Tureck was the top most pianist especially the way she played Bach. I have several recordings of many Bach's keyboard music, hers are still my most favorite.

Rosayln Tureck was renowned for her J.S. Bach recordings and to hear her play the Goldberg Variations it's easy to understand why. Of course, very few will argue that Gould's two releases of the Goldbergs' may be the gold standard, these recordings are nothing short of magnificent. Broaden your horizons. Gould was not the only pianist that could play Bach.

Compared with Glenn Gould's interpretation, Tureck's is much more logical, rich in feeling and well connected. I would say hardly any artist can make sense out of this sophisticated piano piece full of variations in structure and beautiful "moments".

The Aria is especially touching and feminine. Var. 8 is playful and humourous.

The only drawback is that Tureck seems to be quite successful in reaching Bach's original motive for the piece i.e. to help relaxing an insomniac's sleepless night. I nearly fell into sleep every night when I nearly finished listening to the piece.