Customer Reviews

Glenn Gould Live in Salzburg & Moscow: Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (from Salzburg Festival, 1959); Three-Part Inventions, BWV 788-801 (from Moscow, 1957)

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

 

 

Glenn Gould's name is invariably associated with firstly the Goldberg Variations, and secondly with his retirement from public performance. Here, however, we hear him playing the Goldbergs live, at the Salzburg Festival in the late 1950s. The recording's sound quality is very good, and the performance itself lies somewhere between the brazen race of the 1955 recording and the aged contemplation of the 1981. But the clarity of the lines is unmistakably Gouldian, and anyone interested in Gould ought to own this historical quirk, a live Goldbergs. The Inventions are also live but unfortunately are severely let down by very poor sound quality.

Out of curiosity I bought this disc. I already own the 1955 and 1981 recording of the Goldberg variations, which are both legendary for good reason.
But then this recording! What a drive, what a rhythm! Compared to the 1955 recording, I feel it is somewhat more lyrical, some of the tempi are somewhat less extreme. The technical command and concentration are unbelievable. Well, I won't analyze it any more, you just HAVE TO listen to this disc!
The recording sound of the Goldberg variations is surprisingly good. The recording sound of the inventions is not so good, but I have heard worse.

If you want perfection , don't buy this one. If this is your first Goldberg, don't buy this one. If you want passion in the performance of this beautiful music, buy this one.