Bach: Two- and Three-part Inventions, BWV 772-801

Glenn Gould (Artist), J.S. Bach (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: J.S. Bach
• Audio CD (March 9, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028NG
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,107 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Inventions

Track Listings

1. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 1 in C Major, BWV 772

2. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 1 in C Major, BWV 787

3. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 2 in C minor, BWV 773

4. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 2 in C minor, BWV 788

5. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 5 in E-flat Major, BWV 776

6. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 5 in E-flat Major, BWV 791

7. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 14 in B-flat Major, BWV 785

8. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 14 in B-flat Major, BWV 800

9. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 11 in G minor, BWV 782

10. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 11 in G minor, BWV 797

11. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 10 in G Major, BWV 781

12. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 10 in G Major, BWV 796

13. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 15 in B minor, BWV 786

14. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 15 in B minor, BWV 801

15. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 7 in E minor, BWV 778

16. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 7 in E minor, BWV 793

17. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 6 in E Major, BWV 777

18. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 6 in E Major, BWV 792

19. Two-Part Inventions (15), for keyboard, BWV 772-786 (BC L42-56): Inventio 13 in A minor, BWV 784

20. Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) (15), for keyboard BWV 787-801 (BC L42-56): Sinfonia 13 in A minor, BWV 799

See all 30 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best recordings of Bach ever made..., November 28, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Two- and Three-part Inventions, BWV 772-801 (Audio CD)

...and that's even accounting for all of the background noise that the previous reviewer mentioned. The noise, of course, consists mostly of Gould's humming along with the music and, while at times annoying, it does make you feel like you're there with Gould in the recording studio.

As for the music, well, it's brilliant. All of these inventions are little gems, some of the best stuff Bach wrote in my opinion, and Gould is definitely up to the task. Gould's technique shines all over, especially in the Invention #13 in A minor, which he plays much faster than any other recording I've heard (the piece was featured in one of the bits in the film '32 Short Films about Glenn Gould', by the way). Through his immaculate playing Gould brings out every note clearly, managing to carry the fugal themes continuously as they cross over and under each other. Yet unlike in his wierd and often cold recordings of Mozart and Beethoven, Gould also manages to evoke a range of emotions, even coming close to pathos in the last and longest invention. Anyone who says Bach is soulless should listen to this.

Definitely a must for any Bach fan.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As fresh as it gets, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: Two- and Three-part Inventions, BWV 772-801 (Audio CD)

I haven't heard of any other performance of these little songs that is even close to what Gould is able to show us here. He is truly amazing in the way he nurtures and guides these pieces through their delicate windlings. OK, ok a lot of people out there might not approve of Gould's playing in general, but listen to this one! Sweet, tender and ravishing! I challenge anyone to bring me a better recording. A must have!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazingly brash take on some academic pieces., January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: Two- and Three-part Inventions, BWV 772-801 (Audio CD)

If anyone knows these works but hasn't heard the Gould interpretation of them, then you don't know what you're missing. Traditionally viewed as tired, cerebral exercises, the inventions and sinfonias emerge here as finely textured and coloured gems. The A-minor invention in particular is a showcase of Gould's technical brilliance, although none of the pieces escapes treatment by the Canadian iconoclast's brazen intellect. For Bach on the piano, this recording is about as good as it gets. Bravo, Gould!