Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (The Historic 1955 Debut Recording)
List Price:
Our Price: $6.70
You Save: $3.25 (33%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.49 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Composer: Johann Sebastian BachPerformer: Glenn Gould
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1992-10-27
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Aria
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 1
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 2
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 3
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 4
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 5
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 6
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 7
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 8
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 9
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 10
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 11
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 12
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 13
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 14
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 15
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 16
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 17
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 18
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 19
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 20
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 21
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 22
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 23
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 24
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 25
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 26
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 27
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 28
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 29
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Variation 30
- Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Aria da capo
- Prelude and Fugue, for keyboard No. 14 in F sharp minor (WTC II/14), BWV 883 (BC L117)
- Prelude and Fugue, for keyboard No. 9 in E major (WTC II/9), BWV 878 (BC L112): Fugue in E major, BWV 878
Free Music Notes for Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (The Historic 1955 Debut Recording)
Free Music Review: A State of Wonder, Indeed.
Hit: 5 Stars
There are three people who are responsible for the "resurrection" of the Goldberg variations, at least as far as the general publicis concerned: Wanda Landoska, Rosalyn Tureck, and Glenn Gould. Without them, the Goldberg Variations certainly would not get the attention they do, and may have ended up a curiosity music students discover on budget labels by performers seeking overblown and romantic interpetations or sterile "period correct" (in other words, uninformed) performances that leave listeners yawning. Instead, thanks to those three, the Goldberg is as well know even to the casual music listener as Beethoven's Pathetique or Mozart's Rondo a la Turka are.
Now, I certainly believe that Landowska's rendition is the most well informed, and even the most revolutionary in terms of true period correctness (she was the first to record it for the harpsichord and with correct baroque ornamentation), and she had a musicality that made the listener believe they were listening to an orchestra instead of just a single keyboardist. Tureck's interpretation is so dancelike and pleasant. It sounds so free and happy, I get the image that there are dancers on the keys of her piano. She was really the one that showed that the Goldberg Variations could be performed on a piano without reverting to the overly romanticized versions that had dominated up to that time.
It was Landowska and Tureck two that allowed for what is arguably the most famous interpretation of the Goldbergs: Glenn Gould's 1955 recording. Inspired by Landowska's passion for early music done right, and Tureck's justified piano performance that stood out head and shoulders above the others, Gould combined the best elements of the two and added his own rhythmic and dynamic perfection to create a masterpiece of a recording. His tempi were (in general) nearly twice as fast as most performers', indeed as his own 1981 recording, which, in places, I prefer (refer to variations 1,5,10,14,16, and 29), yet he is always in control and never sounds like he's straining to get to the next note. His staccato and light touch give it wonderful bell-like clarity, and it's the closest you'll get to a harpsichord recording on a piano. Yes, his 1981 recording is more mature, but it's a difference in interpretation than technical prowess, and I think the choice between the two comes down to mood, and even, as mentioned above, to the individual variations.
This recording was his first studio recording, presenting all the fire and passion of a twenty three year old showing the world that he's got something to prove. An odd choice for a first recording, most pianists would probably be forced into some half-hearted renditions of Chopin or Mozart, but Gould knew what he was doing. He must have known that the time was right for a Bach interpretation that paid homage to the greatness achieved in the past as well as one that strode confidently into the future, a future where (in a philosophy like Landowska's) old music was no longer quaint but revered and modern music didn't seek to "revolutionize" but instead sought to build upon. This was an increasingly prevalent attitude in the 1950's and 1960's thanks to people like Landowska, Harnoncourt, and, of course, Gould. We can see this philosophy in Durufle, De Falla (one of the first twentieth century composers to write for the harpsichord), and later Stravinsky. Gould's Goldbergs played no small part in Baroque's new birth. Do yourself a favor and get both of Gould's Goldbergs, Wanda Landowska's Goldbergs, and perhaps Koroliov's Goldbergs or Tatiana Nikolayeva's Goldbergs. You'll be quite glad you did.
Classical Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Classical Music CDs
Winterscapesby London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.74
Price in other shops:
The Queen, the Bear, and the Bumblebeeby Dini Petty
Childrens Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.40
Price in other shops:
Classical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs CdrRelease date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $25.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
![Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] Image](/images/Jose-Carreras-Jubileum-Concert-VHS-1584481471-X.jpg){kind=small}
Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.87
Price in other shops:
![Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] Image](/images/Tchaikovsky-The-Nutcracker-Nureyev-Park-Royal-Ballet-VHS-156127092X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.94
Price in other shops:
![Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] Image](/images/Lonely-Town-Lonley-Street-Sergeant-Early-Dream-VHS-1561270857-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.99
Price in other shops:
Winter Music: Composing the Northby John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $23.62
Price in other shops:
![Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Puccini-La-Fanciulla-del-West-Santi-Domingo-Neblett-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720382-X.jpg){kind=small}
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Verdi-Falstaff-Giulini-Bruson-Ricciarelli-Nucci-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720358-X.jpg){kind=small}
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Glenn Gould - Art of the Fugue - 70th Anniversary EditionRelease date: 2002-09-03; Music CD
Best price: $7.07
Price in other shops:
Glenn Gould Plays Bach & ScarlattiRelease date: 1997-02-25; Music CD
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Bach, Glenn Gould - Partitas 1 2 & 3 - Anniversary EditionRelease date: 2002-09-03; Music CD
Best price: $7.35
Price in other shops:
Glenn Gould, Johann Sebastian Bach - The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book IIRelease date: 1994-01-11; Music CD
Best price: $11.88
Price in other shops:
Beethoven: Piano SonatasRelease date: 2008-02-04; Music CD
Best price: $2.86
Price in other shops:
Bach: Concertos for Piano and Orchestra Nos. 1-5 & 7 (The Glenn Gould Edition)Release date: 1992-10-27; Music CD
Best price: $12.81
Price in other shops:
Glenn Gould, Johann Sebastian Bach - The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book IRelease date: 1994-01-11; Music CD
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
Bach, Glenn Gould - Bach: The 6 French Suites, Glenn Gould Anniversary EditionRelease date: 2002-09-03; Music CD
Best price: $7.20
Price in other shops:
Glenn Gould - Bach: The Goldberg VariationsRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $7.08
Price in other shops:
A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)Release date: 2002-09-03; Music CD
Best price: $12.72
Price in other shops: