In the words of Michael Stegemann: “It was with the Goldberg Variations that it practically all began and with the Goldberg Variations that it practically all ended.”[1] Gould’s monumental 1955 recording of the Goldberg Variations, revisited one year before his death in 1981 still remains to this day a cornerstone of t Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Gallileo, Jun 29, 2012. later as a young adult I liked the 81 version. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Andrew Clements. It was his first recording of the work, in 1955, that established Gould as a pianistic force of exceptional gifts, while the second studio version he made in 1981 (there is also a Salzburg festival performance from 1957) proved to be his last visit to the recording studio; it was released in September the following year, just days before his sudden death at the age of 50. Glenn Gould – Aria from Goldberg Variations, 1955 recording When Gould re-recorded the Goldbergs in 1981, recording technology had advanced considerably (stereo and Dolby surround sound had been invented and digital recording/editing could be used for mainstream recordings). While Glenn Gould's 1955 debut recording of Bach's 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. I did hear another amazing Goldberg on harpsichord recently, but it was on the radio so I'm still trying to find out what it was, but I suspect that it was either Blandine Verlet, David Cates or Masaaki Suzuki because they have very popular recordings. Complete your Glenn Gould … © 2001-2021 Head-Fi.org. Reissued together now to mark the 20th anniversary of his death, the two recordings of the Goldberg Variations provide a fascinating comparison. Stream & Purchase. The one significant exception to this rule is Bach’s Goldberg Variations, which he recorded twice. I like the '81, though I do prefer the more Chopinesqe #26 on the first recording. Bach: The Goldberg Variations is the 1955 debut album of Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould. This set is also very well documented, and comes with a typically penetrating essay by Gould's biographer, Tim Page. Glenn Gould. The two contrasting interpretations of Bach 's Goldberg Variations were the bookends to his great career and they became his most famous recordings. For the most part I listen to my Wanda Landowska recordings, miserable audio quality and all, and also to my Rosalyn Tureck recordings which also have the amazing clarity of line that I crave. http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de...itchOnBach.JPG, http://jeanchristianmichel.ifrance.c...chel/bach.html. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. The set also includes a disc of outtakes from the 1955 sessions as well as an interview Gould gave in 1982, in which he discussed the differences between the two performances. In the subsequent 20 years, Gould's reputation and stature as one of the most important pianists of the 20th century have been maintained, and these two recordings especially have achieved near legendary status. Bach: Goldberg Variations (recorded 1955 and 1981): Glenn Gould ... Glenn Gould. An "other-worldly" performance. ''Bach was the first jazz musician. lenn Gould's extraordinary career was bracketed by the Goldberg Variations. I'm still trying to find out which ones it was. Glenn Gould's recording debut in 1955 of Bach's Goldberg Variations took the world by storm. It was his first recording of the work, in 1955, that established Gould as a pianistic force of exceptional gifts, while the second studio version he made in 1981 (there is also a Salzburg festival performance from 1957) proved to be his last visit to the recording studio; it was released in September the following year, just days before his sudden death at the age of 50. Sales were "astonishing" for a classical album: it was reported to have sold 40,000 copies by 1960, and had sold more than 100,000 by the time of Gould's death in 1982. Appropriately, the pianist also closed his studio career with a more ruminative (yet still exciting) version, in 1981. Classical: Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations 1955 vs. 1981. Glenn Gould was born in Toronto in 1932, and enjoyed a privileged, sheltered upbringing in the quiet Beach neighborhood. I feel it more far-reaching, more touchy. 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