While glenn goulds 1955 debut recording of bachs goldberg variations has attained legendary status, there are many devoted fans who rank the 1981 recording just as highly, even though it offers a dramatically different interpretation. Bach goldberg variationen 1955 vinyl lp glenn gould. In 1955, columbia records released a recording of bachs goldberg variations that introduced the musical world to glenn gould. Twoweek tour of the soviet union, making glenn gould the first north american pianist to appear since the death of stalin. I have all five of columbias 1960s to 1970s lp releases of mozart piano sonatas by glenn gould also recorded at the legendary columbia 30th street studio with the same piano and can tell you that this analogmastered recording is even better than these superb earlier lps. Bach goldberg variations best recordings on the piano. The complete story of glenn goulds iconic 1955 goldberg variations recording. G lenn goulds extraordinary career was bracketed by the goldberg variations. The glenn gould edition cd bachgoldberg variations bmv 9881955 recording piano. The glenn gould edition j s bach goldberg variations 1981 sbm cd. As this conversation at npr notes, the piece begins with an initial melody, the aria, followed by 30 short but brilliant variations built on eight notes that bach appears to have borrowed from handel. The opening aria, and the closing one are 12 the speed of the 1955 version, but the remainder of the variations are not too different in overall timing, except he did perform the repeats in the 1981 version, so that the overall length is about 38 min 1955 and 53 minutes 1981 btw, perahias is 71 minutes.
I t still sounds like nothing youve ever heard, however many times you listen to it. An interpretation of johann sebastian bachs goldberg variations bwv 988, the work launched gould s career as a renowned international pianist, and became one of the most wellknown piano recordings. Columbia masterworks ml 5060,columbia masterworks ml5060 format. The recently discovered analog reels from the legendary 1981 recording sessions are now available for the first time in its history on 180g audiophile vinyl.
The goldberg variations marked both the beginning and the end of goulds career the 1981 recording was the last one he made before his death after suffering a stroke the following year. Its an impressive example of musical oneupmanship so. Glenn goulds 1955 recording of bachs goldberg variations marks the commercial debut for the process. It is just as well that an impressive hardback book accompanies the set. But in the 1981 variations, gould makes good on his desire for dignity. The goldberg variations 1955 by glenn gould, johann sebastian bach from amazons classical music store. The young canadian pianists joyous, quicksilver interpretation not only influenced subsequent generations of musicians, it also entirely altered bachs public image. The columbia lp quickly became one of the most revered piano recordings ever made and gould became the most. For many people it is the recording, although it is said that gould himself came to despise it. This is a release of the two recordings glenn gould made of the goldberg variations technically called the aria with different variations by bach, one in 1955 which set the world alight, and the last recording he made in 1981. Glenn gould s exciting and careerstarting 1955 recording of js bachs goldberg variations currently exists in several versions.
The goldberg variations glenn gould by glenn gould. Glenn gould toronto, canada 19321982 was a canadian pianist most known for his interpretations of baroque keyboard music, particularly the works of johann sebastian bach. I have the 1981 on lp, which i recently transferred to highres digital. Alliance glenn gould goldberg variations 1981 release date. The recently discovered analog reels from the legendary 1981 recording sessions for the goldberg variations have been used for this new remaster for a true analog experience. The goldberg variations is the 1955 debut album of canadian classical pianist glenn gould. In 1955, at age 22, canadian pianist glenn gould signed a recording contract with columbia records and recorded the goldberg variations. This album was made shortly before the pianists premature death at age 50, so it is significant for being his last recording. Glenn gould the complete goldberg v ariations 1955. Bach, with particular emphasis on the contrast between his youthful 1955 recording of the goldberg variations and his final 1981 recording of the same work. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. The album launched glenn goulds career and popularized bachs music.
It has been reissued numerous times on vinyl, cassette, cd, and even 8track and has never been out of print. Goldberg variations bwv 988 1981 recording by glenn gould vinyl. It was his first recording of the work, in 1955, that established gould as a pianistic force of exceptional gifts. In 1955, a little known canadian pianist recorded the goldberg variations. Bach goldberg variationen 1955 vinyl lp glenn gould, johann sebastian. Gould completists, however, will want this glenn gould edition transfer for two fugues recorded in 1957, drastically different from the pianists perverse remakes years later for his complete well tempered clavier book ii.
Glenn gould a state of wonder the complete goldberg. Glenn gould piano this is a midpriced release on the sony classical label, containing 2xcds and a dvd of the complete goldberg variations, packaged in a limited edition, deluxe, hardbound book. Cbs masterworks, im 37779 1982 glenn gould discusses his performances of the goldberg variations with tim page. High quality pressing for a true analog experience. Glenn goulds debut album of bachs goldberg variations was recorded in june 1955. In this study, dale innes explores the evolution of glenn goulds interpretation of the keyboard music of j. Glenn gould bach, glenn gould, bach johann sebastian. His speed, dexterity and tone revolutionized the understanding of this piece and it became inextricably linked.
It seems that the additional possibilities this instrument has over the harpsichord can even be considered an obstacle, rather than an advantage. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Bachs goldberg variations is often considered the most ambitious composition ever written for harpsichord. However, both the 1955 and the 1981 recordings have since been remastered, and the second recording has been reappraised favorably. Glenn goulds first recording of bachs goldberg variations, made in 1955, has an energy, an intensity and a. Keeping in mind that the canadian pianist glenn gould would have celebrated his 80th birthday just a few months ago, sony has seen fit to release a deluxe limited set which gathers together all of goulds js bach recordings, mostly in their original lp covers with the photogenic, iconoclastic gould often in full focus. A state of wonder, the 2002 sony release that paired the pianists 1955 and 1981 goldberg recordings, and the new fischer edition has. Glenn gould plays bach the goldberg variations, bmv 998. Glenn gould goldberg variations 1981 musicians friend. View all records by glenn gould for sale on cdandlp in lp, cd, 12inch, 7inch format. Glenn gould glenn gould vinyl records and cds for sale. The goldberg variations 1955 recording vinyl by glenn. The recording industry of the 20th century saw stars become legends and albums become icons of popular culture. The goldberg variations is the last recording to appear in glenn goulds lifetime, completing the discographical circle that had begun so spectacularly with the same work in 1955.
Goulds first performance to receive widespread attention was his 1955 recording of bachs goldberg variations. It was my first goldberg variations and its still the one i listen to the most on piano that is. Released in the year of glenn goulds 85th anniversary, it features his complete 1955 recording sessions of bachs goldberg variations on 5 cds including the studio conversations between him and his producer, restored from the original 14inch analogue tapes and remastered using 24 bit 96 khz technology, plus the final album on both cd. The goldberg variations, bwv 988 1981 gould remastered glenn gould. Cbs masterworks, cdn70 bonus disc released with im 37779 1982 a state of wonder. The goldberg variations glenn gould, an album by glenn gould. Bach goldberg variations the best recordings part 2 harpsichord versions part 3 the piano playing bachs goldberg variations on the piano exhibits enormous challenges. When the recording of bachs goldberg variations by pianist glenn gould was released in 1956, it changed the entire set of expectations with which listeners approached bachs keyboard music. The goldberg variations 1981 digital recording goldberg variations. Glenn goulds exciting and careerstarting 1955 recording of js bachs goldberg variations currently exists in several versions. Glenn gould discography price guide recently listed email alerts refine search results. The goldberg variations 1981 was the last recording to appear in goulds lifetime, completing the discographical circle that had begun so spectacularly with the same work in 1955. The goldberg variations glenn gould album wikipedia.