Customer Reviews

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variationen

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

 

 

Barenboim plays the variations thoughtfully and with plenty of ornamentation to satisfy most purists, but his insistence on observing all repeats and his slower-than-usual tempi make this a real time committment for the listener and at times may cause drowsiness. The live Erato recording lets in more coughing and crowd noise than we have come to expect from most of today's live concert recordings. Also the pedal has a distinct squeak, audible through headphones. Despite these drawbacks, this is a good 3rd choice (after Gould 1955 and 1981) for those who like their Goldbergs on piano.

Heavy and humorless? Listen again, Jed Distler. Slow, yes, but never heavy -- rather, tender and considered. The slower tempi may be unsettling for the first few movements, but after the listener adjusts to the new pace, the untraditional tempi allow the listener to hear the impact of each note. With Barenboim's respectful and affectionate interpretation, I became aware of new subtleties and beauty in the Variations that were never apparent to me when listening to other musicians gleefully crash through them (although of course it was always fun).

Aside from this recording of the Goldberg Variations, I have those of Andras Schiff, Rosalyn Turek, and Glen Gould (both early and late). These are all excellent performances, but Barenboim's is my favorite: thoughtful, passionate, sensitive, delightful, and masterful. The lilting Variation 7 (Tempo di Giga) and the final Reprise of the Aria are especially magnificent. I suspect that some other reviewers may take Glen Gould as the standard, but this is unfortunate in my view. By contrast to Gould's rushed and sometimes mechanical interpretations, I found this recording of Barenboim's live performance in Buenos Aires to be worth hearing over and over again. It is one of a handful of my favorite recordings of any music altogether -- a real triumph.

This is the kind of performance that as far as I know is unmatched in it's serene ease of execution the result of possibly 40 years of familiarity with this work. Barenboim said his father started him on the Well Tempered Clavier when he was nine so you can imagine...His recording of the WTC is very much as sublime as this, sublime in the sense of being exquisite without being precious, anything but. Barenboim allows the notes to speak for themselves. Most people might consider his interpretation as we like to call it dull or bland, definitely lacking drama, but it is rather the perfect day. His touch is slightly heavier than a feather. How does he do it so delicately and why? His virtuosity does not bring attention to itself. You have to remind yourself how difficult this masterpiece can be to play. The Argentine audience is, if possible, more quiet than the Japanese. You do not know they are there. There is only that calm execution of the music by a true master. A recording to treasure among all the others.

It's undeniable the impressive grow up process of Daniel Barenboim in his double facet: interpreter and conductor. Despite the facts there have been many similar cases: Edwin Fisher, Paul Badura Skoda, Philipe Entremont, Geza Anda and Murray Perahia, to name just a few. Barenboim has conviction, personality and eloquence. His incursions through almost thirty years in the orchestral direction, have enriched his vision in both directions.

I mean, these Goldberg sound far beyond the limits of the piano, and the peculiar fact he returns to his beloved homeland in Colon Theater Buenos Aires. I do not share totally certain passages and the whole conception of this sublime work, but I have to admit they have its own specific weight.

Consider it as a true historical document.

Warm, beautifully played and recorded. Gorgeous tone and medium tempi. Bach with heart and sentiment. Plenty of nuance here.

At 80 min though , couldn't it be on one cd?

Beautiful stuff

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variationen is a recording with the renowned pianist Daniel Barenboim whom plays the Goldberg Variations on a Steinway piano. Gould is probably the best pianist to have ever played Bach but one can not deny that Mr Barenboim also manages to play these pieces with such talent that few people can ever dream of attaining. J.S. Bach is the master of the Baroque era and to listen to his music is a pure privilege. The booklet is quite sparse and contains liner notes by the performer and a photograph that looks like it was shot by a friend. 5/5.