Bach: Goldberg Variations [IMPORT]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Alexander Paley (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Alexander Paley
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Hanssler Classics
• ASIN: B000JFXSO6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #537,565 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Aria

2. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 1 a 1 Clav.

3. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 2 a 1 Clav.

4. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 3 a 1 Clav. Canone all'Unisono

5. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 4 a 1 Clav.

6. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 5 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.

7. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 6 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Seconda

8. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 7 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.

9. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 8 a 2 Clav.

10. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 9 Canone alla Terza a 1 Clav.

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 16 Ouverture a 1 Clav.

2. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 17 a 2 Clav.

3. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 18 Canone alla Sesta a 1 Clav.

4. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 19 a 1 Clav.

5. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 20 a 2 Clav.

6. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 21 Canone alla Settima

7. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 22 Alla breve a 1 Clav.

8. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 23 a 2 Clav.

9. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 24 Canone all'Ottava a 1 Clav.

10. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variatio 25 a 2 Clav.

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Once in a while, never often enough, a recital is so exhilarating that it reaches far into the intermission, which becomes a delicious interlude between the lingering vapors of superlative artistry already experienced and the enormous pleasure of knowing there is still more to come." -- The Washington Post [on a live performance by Alexander Paley of The Goldberg Variations]

This is without doubt one of the great recorded performances of The Goldberg Variations, by one of today's most exciting classical pianists. Born in Moldavia, Alexander Paley began playing the piano when he was six. At sixteen he won the National Music Competition of Moldavia. Subsequently, he studied at the Moscow Conservatory. He went on to win major awards, including First Prize at the Leipzig International Bach Competition in 1984 and the Bösendorfer Prize in 1986. Paley recreates his artistic triumph employing the well-articulated and colorful registration of the Blüthner Concert Grand.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Goldbergs for our age, November 25, 2007

By	Nikos A. Salingaros (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alexander Paley gives us a highly ornamented account, taking every repeat, unlike Gould and most other performers. He also plays without haste those variations he feels should be deliberate. Two disks give him the breathing space he needs. If you want to immerse yourself in a true Baroque experience, then this recording is for you. If you want a dry, staccato, rapid performance, then go elsewhere. This is a piano performance. Paley in a phenomenal pianist, who uses all the color of his instrument to convince the listener of the majesty of Bach's genius. This rendition is not academic: it is alive, dreamy, intense, intimate, grand, wonderful. Many previous pianists' attempts at ornamentation failed, to my mind, because the performer could not get into the Baroque spirit. The ornamentation seemed contrived, added on, and ultimately annoying. By contrast, the ornamentation here is organic -- it grows out of the written notes.

Highly recommended.