Bach Goldberg Variations

[The Strat]

Chaps,

Can the assembled intellect advise me as to the best way to experience the Goldberg variations?

Best regards,

Lindsay

 

[themadlatvian]

There are many fine recorded performances. My personal favourite is the 1981SonyClassics version by the great eccentric pianist Glenn Gould. Wonderful playing. Angela Hewitt for perhaps a more conventional but still magnificent performance. There will probably be as many recommendations as posts, but those are mine.

 

[tones]

Here is the Gould 1981 version:

[video=youtube;N2YMSt3yfko]

You will find that, the better your hi-fi, the more obtrusive Gould's moaning along becomes (one producer threatened to gag him). Nevertheless, as John says, this is a superlative performance, and this video allows you to see what a wonderful technician Gould was - given the famously low height of his piano chair, you sometimes think that he's going to play a third line with his nose. The contrapuntal lines are played with a wonderful clarity and crispness. The Goldbergs were written for harpsichord with double manuals, so hand crossing is no problem. On a single manual piano it is a problem, so it's fascinating to see how it's done - watch the fun from 7:14 onwards.

I agree that Angela Hewitt's is top-class, as is Murray Perahia's. For the original harpsichord version, Trevor Pinnock's version is excellent.

 

[The Strat]

Thank you chaps.

 

[Plato]

Here is the Gould 1981 version:[video=youtube;N2YMSt3yfko]

Brilliant thank you.

Although I have his 1981 version - and listen to it a lot, I'd never seen him perform.

Wonderful stuff.

 

[AmDismal]

Gould, hmm...

My favourite is Perahia, although I quite like Simone Dinnerstein as well. Shows I have no class, I imagine!

 

[peteAllen]

I'd second Gould, the 81 version is the one to beat, and the 55 version is great too.

Barenboim has an interesting talk about the Goldberg (although IMO he simply lacks the technical ability to play top notch Bach himself):


Tureck sounds dull to me, and I also don't like Schiff's version - somehow it makes me feel itchy!

If only Sviatoslav Richter had recorded the Goldbergs...

 

[Popey]

There's a free download of the Goldberg variations available http://www.opengoldbergvariations.org

At that price, it's worth having a copy

 

[JANDL100]

Glenn Gould 1981 - wonderful. As is Perahia. Good reccies above.

I would also suggest you try a version played on an accordion - this is seriously good!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goldberg-Variations-Hussong-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B000027AA9/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1411714417&sr=1-2&keywords=bach+hussong

It sounds just like a small organ (no tittering at the back ) and works well with the music. Superb interpretation.

It's Suzuki on BIS for me on harpsichord. Some samples here http://www.amazon.co.uk/J-S-Bach-Goldberg-2-Masaaki-Suzuki/dp/B0000267VG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1411714494&sr=1-1&keywords=bach+goldberg+suzuki

 

[The Strat]

Have bought the Perahia

Once again thank you chaps!

 

[The Strat]

Words can't describe how beautiful this is:^

 

[themadlatvian]

Words can't describe how beautiful this is:^

In one.

:^

 

[peteAllen]

For the record, I also think Feltsman and Hewitt's recordings are excellent. I must listen to Perahia's some time

 

[khapahk]

Robin Holloway has "arranged" the Goldberg Variations for two pianos in a piece called the "Gilded Goldbergs", adding his own twists in places (available on Hyperion). It's OK but not as good as the real thing.

I only have the Angela Hewitt recording of the real thing but I might give Murray Periaha a go as well

k