Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: Partitas, Preludes & Fugues

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

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028NH
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,342 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 1. Praeludium

2. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 2. Allemande

3. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 3. Corrente

4. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 4. Sarabande

5. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 5. Menuet 1-6. Menuet 2

6. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 6. Giga

7. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 1. Sinfonia. Grave adagio - andante - allegro

8. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 2. Allemande

9. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 3. Corrente

10. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 4. Sarabande

See all 33 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 1. Toccata

2. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 2. Allemanda

3. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 3. Corrente

4. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 4. Air

5. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 5. Sarabande

6. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 6. Tempo di Gavotta

7. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 7. Gigue

8. Prelude for keyboard in C major (Six Little Preludes No. 1), BWV 933 (BC L64)

9. Prelude for keyboard in C minor (Six Little Preludes No. 2), BWV 934 (BC L65)

10. Prelude for keyboard in D minor (Six Little Preludes No. 3), BWV 935 (BC L66)

See all 31 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Misunderstood Man, April 20, 2000

By 

Eric (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: Partitas, Preludes & Fugues (Audio CD)

This collection of piano masterpieces is one of a kind. Gould is unique in his playing. Many people try to imitate this eccentric style and fail; many people also try to play Bach and fail. It is unfortunate that it only takes the unprecedented touch and sheer creativity of one individual too change the way we look at the music of Bach, or any music for the matter. I wish this event were more commonplace, but it is not. This is why brilliancy in any art form is obscured in modern society. Believe it or not, few in our society are true individuals. We feel too comfortable in our collected groups of mass media hungry minds to risk the thought of tarnishing our egos for idealism. Originality is rare. Glenn Gould's technique is amazing. It is extremely difficult to play fast and put feeling in to it. Must we forget that Bach wrote his music without any tempo or dynamic markings? This leaves the choice up to the performer. This is creativity at its best. Gould's performance of these works by Bach is exceptional in the care given to bringing out the counterpoint. These are not piano note sounds to Gould, these notes are voices. He sings. The piano sings.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An answer to Mr. Richard Townsend, November 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: Partitas, Preludes & Fugues (Audio CD)

I can simply say that after reading the review that Mr. Townsend gave, I can only think that he is either a person who never listened to the recordings that Gould made of the Partitias, or he realizes just how good Gould is, and doesn't want to admit it.

For those of you who are interested in this recording, I can simply say that, being a student in a musical conservatory, I have discussed with many great pianists, all of whom, would agree with me, that Gould has a unique manner of performance, that especially for Bach, is so special, that his interpretations cannot be taken lightly. I have now owned my copy of the Partitias for a number of years, and can only say good things about it. Especially of interest are 1. The Sinfonia from the Second Partitia, 2. The entire Fifth Partitia, and 3. The Toccata from the Sixth Partitia (which has some of the greatest voice-leading on record).

I finally wish to express my sorrow. It is because of people like Mr. Townsend who, instead of simply praising Ms. Tureck, for her own marvelous interpretations of the Partitias, had to insult Mr. Gould, one of the greatest pianists who ever lived, because he disagreed with a different interpretation. It is simply this kind of attitude that helps no one.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer Joy, April 1, 2000

By 

R. Kunath (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: Partitas, Preludes & Fugues (Audio CD)

I'm no expert on Bach, and I haven't heard these works played by other great artists (and, love him or hate him, Gould was a great, if willful, pianist). What I do know is that I find myself constantly coming back to these recordings. It probably doesn't reveal my taste at its best, but I am simply entranced by Gould's performances of the little preludes, fugues, and fughettas on disk 2. I can think of only a handful of performances that are so filled with pure, infectious joy, and I can't imagine any person with an open mind and open ears not enjoying them.