A round-up of performances of the ‘keyboard exercise’ around which opinions still swirl furiously . The same “dryness” of sound and interpretation can be said for Keneth Gilbert’s recording, which besides wise tempo choices has little to inspire. Worth considering as a second or third version. Ignacio Prego is a Spanish harpsichordist, and his version of the Goldbergs on the “Glossa” label is a joy from start to finish. I prefer it on the piano over the harpsichord. As I mentioned, he takes his time compared to other versions (Or maybe they are the ones who rush? with Bob van Asperen, who gives a performance of a surviving copy of a Mietke Harpsichord, a builder Bach himself apparently ordered instruments from. A harpsichord recording by Christophe Rousset (O-L 444866-2) is described as having repeats that are "fully observed". Too … Things can be too interesting, though. J.S.Bach - Goldberg Variations, Anna Kislitsyna (harpsichord) Review: “Verklärte Nacht” – Rice, Skelton, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gardner, Review: Hans Rott – Complete Orchestral Works, Vol.2 – Gürzenich Orchester Köln, Ward, Review: Charles Ives – Complete Symphonies – LAPO, Dudamel, Review: “labyrinth” – David Greilsammer, Piano, Bach Goldberg Variations – The Best Recordings – Part I, Bach – Goldberg Variations – The Best Recordings – Part 3 – Piano Versions, Gramophone Magazine Announces Award Winners, Review: Monteverdi – il terzo libro de’ madrigali – Alessandrini, Review: “Dear Mademoiselle” – Astrig Siranossian, Cello, Review: Saint-Saëns – Chamber Works – Chamayou, Capuçon, Moreau, Review: “Penderecki’s Sinfonietta(s)” – Sinfonietta Cracovia, Jurek Dybał, Review: Brahms – Piano Concerto No. His ornaments on repeats add additional interest and bring out hidden voices not heard in other versions. What I didn’t particularly like are some of her detached phrasings, and there are some noticeable edits between the variations, not to mention a recording that can be hard on the ear. The site now features over 9000 files of information including thousands of CD, Book, Concert, DVD and Blu-ray reviews and more than 5500 links to … And he also has the benefit of clear, easy on the ear recording on a wonderful instrument. Nonetheless, a very strong version. Bach, J S: Goldberg Variations, BWV988. 1 in C major, BWV 772 (BC L42), Two-Part Invention, for keyboard No. As we’ve seen in the second part, which recommends the best recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the Harpsichord, in some variations Bach instructed the performer to use two manuals (i.e. Thread Tools. His other Bach recordings exemplify much more persuasive attempts. Whether it's the best is a subjective matter, but Glenn Gould's recordings would be considered definitive by many. Bach: Goldberg Variations is an album by Keith Jarrett performing Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations on harpsichord which was released on the ECM label in 1989. They are too fast and occasionally the loudness and softness of the piano is utilized, which is not available on the harpsichord. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 Christophe Rousset, harpsichord L'Oiseau-Lyre 444866-2 DDD 76:44 French-born Christophe Rousset is L'Oiseau-Lyre's young star harpsichordist, and so it was only a matter of time before he got around to recording the Goldbergs – he already has several Bach discs under his belt. Discussions: Goldberg Variations BWV 988 - played by Glenn Gould Buy this album at: Celebrate with Delos: Jory Vinikour’s unique and non-abridged new recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. But there are some lovely moments, such as the flowing tempo and style in variation No.25, which she herself named “The black pearl”. And indeed, Ralph Kirkpatrick and Gustav Leonhardt give a clean, “purer” versions, each in his own way. ... On harpsichord, Wolfgang Glüxam, primarily for the ornamentation. All the best: Bach’s Goldberg Variations. I am very excited to hav e been invited by Convivium records to make a new recording of J.S. Niklas Liepe (violin), Nils Liepe (harpsichord, piano), Nikolai Schneider (cello), Anna Lewis (viola), Friedrich Heinrich Kern NDR Radiophilharmonie, Jamie Phillips Andreas Staier, a big name and a huge talent in reviving performances on original instruments, has everything going for it in his version for Harmonia Mundi, but lacks some emotional intensity and playfulness. Can anyone recommend a good harpsichord recording of Bach's 'the Goldberg Variations'? Gilbert has been accused of sounding somewhat mechanical in Bach, though I find his work unerringly sympathetic and intelligent. Overall, I’ve found his version efficiently played, but a dryly recorded and with some odd tempo and phrasing choices. It's not that I'm averse to Gould - I'm actually one of the few people who likes his Mozart - but I don't think that the Goldberg Variations, famous though those recordings are, show him at his best. And know the place for the first time.”. Originally Posted by albertfallickwang. Take var. DG: 4795929. I was less enthusiastic about Mahan Esfahani’s version for Deutsche Grammophon (2016), putting aside his “Back to basics” approach with the aria, a practice made famous by William Kempff. 7: Bach: The Goldberg Variations: Goldberg Variations BWV 988: Glenn Gould (Piano): Sony: Apr 22 - May 29, 1981: CD / TT: 51:14: Recorded at 30 th Street Studio, New York City, NY, USA. Getting into the 1990’s, things seem to settle a bit. 19 ), or a much thinner sound (Var. First published in 1978 and re-released often since that time with varying covers om Harmonia Mundi and SonyBMG. Like his much-praised momentous Cantatas cycle, his playing is immaculate, well planned to the last note and ornament, but lacks a sense of wonderment and spontaneity. Completed in a total of only four days and released in January 1956, Glenn Gould s début recording of Bach s Goldberg Variations is without doubt one of the most significant and successful classical recordings in the history of the gramophone record. From the two, I prefer Leonhardt, who sounds to my ears more concerned to be in-tuned with the emotional aspects of the Goldbergs than with wanting to “get it just right”, as Kirkpatrick sometimes is. It makes this release very enjoyable to listen to along an opened score perhaps, rather than sit down and enjoy it to the fullest as a passive listener. It sold like crazy and did much to repopularise the piece (and along with Casal's recording of … The pianist Lang Lang this year released his first recording of Bach's 1741 keyboard masterpiece, Goldberg Variations, feeling he was finally ready to … Register now to continue reading Thank you for visiting Gramophone and making use of our archive of more than 50,000 expert reviews, features, awards and blog articles. This classic account of the Goldberg variations by Trevor Pinnock remains my favourite harpsichord version by a long way. Read our Best Of guides for classical music. An interesting and much enjoyable version, nonetheless. In 1955, at age 22, Canadian pianist Glenn Gould signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and recorded the Goldberg Variations. Be that as it may, his playing of the piece is flowing, decorated in good taste and never tries being too showy, while keeping a constant interest and energy. Outright ambiguity exists in some of Bach’s best-known works. Is it theoretically sound or just a part of a fissionable habit? It’s a performance that’s easy-going and fun, maybe with a touch of superficiality. This was Gustav Leonhardt's third recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations". At long last, EMI issues Igor Kipnis’ Goldberg Variations for the first time on CD. Later on, there were more specialists from the “authentic movement” such as Ralph Kirkpatrick and Gustav Leonhardt who recorded the piece on a more “suitable” instruments, but that came some 20 years after the pioneering Landowska first recording. Leonhardt recorded the Goldberg Variations a few times, but his first recording (1953) is to me the best, while his later attempts lost some of the freshness of the first version. After all, there must be a trillion and one harpsichord Goldberg Variations clogging the bins. Showing 1-67 of 67 messages "What is the best recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, and why?" I feel that Richard Egarr plays as if a life experience is incorporated in his playing, without losing any of the freshness and wonderment from this major piece of art. 14 Canons on the Ground from the Goldberg Variations, BWV 1087 • Richard Egarr (hpd) • HARMONIA MUNDI 907425/26 (2 CDs: 99:16) Bach’s Aria with 30 Variations for Two Manuals, fondly known as the Goldberg Variations, has enjoyed many distinguished recordings on harpsichord, going back to Wanda Landowska’s 1933 pioneering effort recorded Read … Don's Conclusions: The new Hantaï release of the Goldberg Variations is among the best harpsichord versions on the market. Pierre Hantaï’s first take on the Goldbergs stays as exciting and moving as it was when it came out, and should be listened to by any Bach or the Goldberg Variations enthusiast. ), but when you finish listening you have a sense of an almost inevitability which does not exist in other versions. two keyboards) of the instrument, and on others the performer can double the notes by activating this mechanism on a suitable instrument, playing on one keyboard but operating both keyboards on the … BACH Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. He also constantly emphasizes the bar lines, which cuts off the singing line of some of the variations. As a result, a slew of new recordings on the harpsichord came along, with big names attached to them. Performed on the harpsichord by Gustav Leonhardt. Dr. BRADLEY LEHMAN on Diego Ares' Goldberg Variations recording. 1 – Moog, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Milton, Review: Britten – Saint Nicolas, A Ceremony of Carols – BBC Concert Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus, Temple, Read of the latest news in classical music, Looking for the best version of a classical music piece? and more. All of that can be said of his Goldberg Variations release as well; Why should one or the other variations be played so fast? First published in 1741, the work is one of the most important examples of the variation form. Stream songs including Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (1955 Recording): Aria, Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (1955 Recording): Variation 1 a 1 Clav. I am very excited to hav e been invited by Convivium records to make a new recording of J.S. These recordings are interesting more as a history lesson, and tend to sound out of place in what we came to learn later from many other performances from the 20th and 21st centuries – Landowska doubles the base, do some additions to repeats and sometimes sounds just plain bombastic. Listen to our recommended recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, performed by Lang Lang, on Apple Music and Spotify and scroll down to explore our masterpiece guide to the monumental work. Bach's wonderful Goldberg Variations.. Recording this Mount Everest of the harpsichord repertoire has been a personal ambition of mine for many years and this project is … The recording industry of the 20th century saw stars become legends and albums become icons of popular culture. Read the first part about the Goldberg Variations and the way this comparison was planned here: Landowska was recorded on a beast of an instrument by Playel, built for her to have a mechanics of a harpsichord but the size and force to carry the sound in larger halls. "What is the best recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, and why?" For his troubles, Bach was said to have been paid a goblet full of gold Louis d’or. This is Part 2 of our ‘Best Of‘ series about Bach’s Goldberg Variations, which will recommend the best few versions on the Harpsichord. I was just about to close the book on my recommendations for the best Goldberg Variations recordings when I came across the “sleeper” version I mentioned in part 1 – A version that if not completely ignored, had certainly not have its time in the sun to make an impression, with no big label or performer name supporting it.

As covered in the first part of this guide, Bach left very little instructions regarding tempo and phrasing in the score, so they are left to the discretion of the performer. That recording may have plenty of energy, but I don't hear sufficient variety of color. Bach's Goldberg Variations: a quick guide to essential recordings Gramophone Friday, July 7, 2017 Three highly recommended recordings: a modern choice, a classic and a hidden gem. And for the “Sleeper” version, Ignacio Prego is a version bursting with talent that is hard to resist, even for veterans of Goldberg listeners such as this writer. We'll play and discuss Glenn Gould's 1955 recording of the Goldberg Variations with ... calling it Aria with diverse variations for a harpsichord ... but making the best … As we’ve seen in the second part, which recommends the best recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the Harpsichord, in some variations Bach instructed the performer to use two manuals (i.e. The Classic Review was launched in 2018 for classical music lovers around the globe. Another great organist who took on the harpsichord was Helmut Walcha, and the results are very similar, for better and for worse. All the early Goldbergs seem OK to me, though none are a favourite -- not just Landowska's, but also Enice Norton's and Serkin's and Arrau's. Ton Koopman’s manic trills and appoggiaturas distract more than have an added value, and his choices of repeats (or lack of) are questionable. There is less obsession with being “authentic”, and it’s clear (at least to my ears) that a new generation of artists who feel at home and at ease with the Harpsichord emerges – This is despite the fact that many of those artists were taught by some veteran experts in the field, some of which are mentioned as performers earlier. Another strong Goldberg version on the Harpsichord belongs to Celine Frisch (Alpha), who’s solid, temperamental and fast performance is very easy to enjoy. I do believe that Glenn Gould did the greatest performance of it ever (1955 Recording). Kirkpatrick also can’t seem to shake the “bombastic” sound of the double keyboard. Leonhardt recorded the Goldberg Variations a few times, but his first recording (1953) is to me the best, while his later attempts lost some of the freshness of the first version. The first harpsichordist who emphasized the playfulness of the variations was Igor Kipnis, whose performance (1976) is still a joy to listen to. I have over 17 recordings of the piece. Glenn Gould can be heard humming on numerous recordings, some louder than others. The 50 best JS Bach albums (2021 update) Gramophone Wednesday, January 6, 2021 50 of the finest JS Bach recordings available, complete with the original Gramophone reviews and an exclusive playlist. Listen to it on your streaming service if you can. Then came Pierre Hantai, with a fresh, charming, emotionally charged and technically superb recording (1993). This is a partial list of commercial or professional recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations, organized chronologically. And within the last year, the two most famous recordings of the ''Goldberg'' Variations ever made - indeed, two of the seminal releases in recording history - have been reissued on compact disk. She is, however, let down by a recording which is too close, with what sounds like an artificially added bass to the recording balance. But the interpretation is brilliant. Register now to continue reading Thank you for visiting Gramophone and making use of our archive of more than 50,000 expert reviews, features, awards and blog articles. Where Kipnis falls flat is with his vision of the greater whole of the piece, maybe having been occupied so much with the intricacies of each variation. There are endless beauty, depth, skill and many small surprises in his repeats – Try the first variation as a whole for example and see if you can resist listening to some more. Bach's Goldberg Variations performed on the harpsichord, the everyday keyboard of Baroque music, one might still wonder why a recording of this work on this instrument requires hybrid multichannel SACD technology. J.S. He doesn’t try to imitate the Harpsichord and his account is pianistic in the best sense. For his next album Marcin has turned to one of the supreme masterpieces of keyboard music. 15). It covers classical music reviews, as well as in-depth guides and classical music news. The increased maturity of his interpretation over the 1992 recording is apparent in the richer emotional palette, improvisatory presentation, and variety of tempos. From the rushed, hectic performances of the 1980’s and 1990’s, we arrived at a more “sane”, even “humane” Bach, where the musical ideas can be communicate clearly and naturally. My personal favorite recording of the Goldberg Variations is not one performed on keyboard but rather by string ensemble (NES Chamber Orchestra, transcribed by Dmitry Sikovetsky, Nonesuch 79341-2). His recording of Biber’s Rosary Sonatas with Rachel Podger and David Miller won a prestigious Gramophone award. Listen to Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (The 1955 & 1981 Recordings) by Glenn Gould on Apple Music. I prefer Gould's later recording of this work. Given her crucial role in restoring Bach to public favor, it's fitting that Landowska waxed the very first recording of the Goldberg Variations in 1933 (now on EMI 61008, coupled with a massively dramatic Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue). His ornaments can be a bit too much at times, but they sure keep you on the edge of your sit, wondering what he is going to do when the repeat comes around. The recording is a little close and harsh, but like many good performances, you quickly forget about it and concentrate on this fine achievement. The pianist Lang Lang this year released his first recording of Bach's 1741 keyboard masterpiece, Goldberg Variations, feeling he was finally ready to do so …

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