Customer Reviews

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Transcription for Strings)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is always a wonder to observe how so many of J.S. Bach's works weather the transformations that people subject them to. And to see that a sacred cow such as the Goldberg Variations can shine as a novel brilliant masterpiece when it is "transposed" from the keyboard to a string orchestra is just simply astounding. Makes you wonder whether Bach was more of a musical genius than what you already knew... At any rate, we have here an inspired adaptation, a spirited and deep performance, a perfectly recorded CD. What else can I say to convince you to get it?

I generally don't like transcriptions, but this is the exception! My wife brought it home from the public library; and on coming home from work, I heard it playing. What a surprise:wonderful music (of course), an excellent chamber orchestra, and a technically perfect recording. I have never heard the counterpoint so clearly articulated. It is a must have for my collection.

This is one of the most -- if not THE most -- beautiful transcriptions of any work of Bach. Sitkovetsky has turned the Goldberg Variations into a tone poem. At the same time, the instrumentation (string orchestra) does not have the heavy, anachronistic, 20th Century sound that Stokowski's (and other) transcriptions have. Indeed, transforming this piece from keyboard to string orchestra has the effect of clarifying and purifying the piece; every line of counterpoint is audible. For those who love Bach, this is a must. For those who do not love Bach -- you will after you've heard this recording.

There have been many arrangements of Bach's instrumental works for orchestra. Violonist Dimitry Sitkovetsky has made two transcriptions of the Goldberg Variations, one for violin, viola and cello in the early 1980s, and this one, for chamber orchestra, in the early 1990s. While others, like Stokowski, have been loud and ponderous, this one seems to me have been written by someone who loves Bach more than himself, it successfuly captures the spirit of Bach. It is considerably shorter than the original piano version, but that is of little concern, perhaps preferable. While I would personaly would have prefered it to sound more baroque, it was intended as a modern arrangement and that is how it should be judged. On that basis I must award 5 stars.

This piece, as reviewed by The Absolute Sound, is a phenomenal CD. Not only is it an extremely interesting and outstanding version of the Goldberg Variations (one of my Bach favorite's), but it is a truly a recording masterpiece. I thought this CD was masterfully transcribed, recorded, and performed. Well Done.

Richard Powers' "The Gold Bug Variations" inspired me to listen, for the first time, to the Goldberg Variations. By rights, I ought to have listened to the 1955 Glenn Gould recording first, but I heard Sitkovetsky describing his arranging of the Goldberg Variations on a radio program. I bought the disk and loved it. If you're looking for an original interpretation of Bach's Goldberg Variations, then this is the disk for you.

The Goldberg Variations are well known for their hypnotic, intricate melodies. In this transcription from piano to orchestra, these melodies come alive. I love the music, and have owed the CD since it was first released. My baby has also enjoyed listening to it - and responds to the music far more, in fact, than he responded to Mozart. So, recently, I purchased another copy for my nephew, who seemed fascinated by the music during the holidays.

A great way to listen to Bach and understand his genius!

This is a wonderful transcription for strings of the Bach's Goldberg variations and, regardless you're a "purist" o no, you should have it. Don't believe me? Just listen to the audio sample of the Variation 5 and you'll agree with me: the beauty of the melody enhanced by the colors of the strings. This is pure joy! Perhaps the tempi are a bit fast (especially in the initial Aria) and will sound a little strange the first time. But once you get used to this tempi you'll see this is a fine piece of art. I predict this will be one of your favorites Goldberg's versions.-

Here is what the liner notes say: "Thus it comes as a great surprise and pleasure to discover that, despite their keyboard origins, the variations turn out to be quite well suited for string instruments, and that such a recasting sheds new light on the music by drawing out expressive elements that previously could only be hinted at when played on a harpsichord or even a modern piano." I agree. I had listened to Gould, Newman, Rosen and Tureck before hearing this version of the Goldberg Variations. This one is wonderful too. Kudos to Sitkovetsky.

If you are me and don't tolerate the sound of a harpsichord well, this is a wonderful way to experience Bach's Goldberg variations.