A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)

A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981) | Johann Sebastian Bach, Glenn Gould, ... | Satisfy your comparative impulse

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	A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981) Johann Sebastian Bach, Glenn Gould, ... Sony, 2002 average customer review:based on 58 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Glenn Gould's recording debut in 1955 of Bach's Goldberg Variations took the world by storm. His decidedly un-Romantic view, absolute technical skill, startling lucidity, and right-on rhythmic changes, combined with his eccentricities--audible humming, sometimes outrageously fast tempi--made him an instantly legendary pianist and elucidated Bach's music in a whole new way. Gould's final recording, 26 years later, was also of the Goldbergs. It's a more relaxed, sometimes much slower, more inward reading (although still very much his own, complete with oddly ferocious attacks and accents), in which he offers repeats of the first half of 15 of the Variations. Both performances are glorious, each in its own way, and this luxurious new set of three CDs is entertaining, a joy to hear, and revelatory; it belongs in any music lover's collection. The third CD is devoted to outtakes and chatter from recording sessions. At one point, Gould improvises "God Save the King" and exhibits how it turns into "The Star-Spangled Banner." And a long interview with critic Tim Page offers great insight into Gould's weird humor and unique outlook. A must-have collection. --Robert Levine

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Eye-opening, musical, wonderful

For most of my life, I listened to the first "Gouldberg" variations regularly, and was a big fan.

The second version is a real eye-opener. The "wunderkind" grows up, and produces a second, and much greater, masterpiece.

Satisfy your comparative impulse

This set affords the fascinating experience of comparing two extremely diverse performances of the Goldberg Variations and of observing the evolution and maturation of Gould's understanding. I think the 1981 interpretation is the clear winner, but both are riveting. Still, I would gladly trade in this final product of his short career if he would have just completed his recording of the Art of Fugue on organ.

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A work so great it demands discovery

In his many writings (specifically "Strauss and the Electronic Future" and "The Possibilities of Recording", both included in the 5-star Glenn Gould Reader) Gould makes it perfectly clear that he is as interested in the experience of the listener as he is about his own aesthetics and interpretation or, for that matter, the composer's genius or intention. It is this liberal constitution that affords us a genuine State of Wonder.

So many others have said eloquently enough why this 3 CD set is a must-have for anybody the least bit interested in Bach, Gould, the piano, or music itself, and I will only confirm that yes, the sound is fantastic and the recorded radio interview cum converation first-rate. Instead, I will say that the effect of the whole is not only to encompass this State of Wonder, but to challenge (and encourage) the listener to make her own journey of discovery, to enter this State of Wonder on her own terms and via her own efforts. Thus, this is not only a work that entertains, but educates and thereby transforms the listener. And transformed, the listener will enjoy an entirely new perspective of the whole rest of their musical collection.

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Great performances! Great packaging!

This was such a good idea: Take Gould's 1955 & 1981 versions of the Goldberg Variation and include them in a single set along with a nice bonus CD which contains an lengthy interview with Gould. The packaging here is first rate as is the remastered sound. These recordings should be in the library of any music enthusiast!

novel·la i Variacions Golberg

En Català:vaig arribar a aquest disc per la recomanació que en feia el protagonista d'una novel·la, i m'ha enlluernat. Interessant la possibilitat de comparar l'evolució musical de Gould entre la gravació de l'any 55 i la del 81. Bona re-masterització. Molt recomanable.
(Si algú troba les Variacions Golberg referenciat en alguna novel·la, m'ho podria dir si-us-plau?) Gràcies

En Castellano: llegué a este disco por la recomendación que hacia el protagonista de una novela, y me ha iluminat. Interesante la posibilidad de comparar la evolución musical de Gould entre la grabación del año 55 y la del 81. Buena re-masterización. Muy recomendable.
(Si alguien encuentra las Variaciones Golberg referenciadas en alguna novela, ¿me lo podría decir por favor?)Gracias

In English: I arrived at this disc by the recommendation that towards the protagonist of a novel, and she has illuminated to me. Interesting the possibility of comparing the musical evolution of Gould between the recording of the year 55 and the one of the 81. Good re-masterización. Very recommendable
(If somebody finds the listed Golberg Variations in some novel, it could say to me please?)Thank You

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Tracks
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 2 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3. Canon On The Unison | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 4 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6. Canon On The Second | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 8 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 9. Canon On The Third | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 10. Fughetta | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 12. Canon On The Fourth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 14 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15. Canon On The Fifth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 16. Overture | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 17 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18. Canon On The Sixth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 19 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 20 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21. Canon On The Seventh | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 22. Alla Breve | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24. Canon On The Octave | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27. Canon On The Ninth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 28 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 29 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 30. Quodlibet | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria Da Capo | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 2 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3. Canon On The Unison | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 4 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6. Canon On The Second | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 8 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 9. Canon On The Third | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 10. Fughetta | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 12. Canon On The Fourth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 14 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15. Canon On The Fifth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 16. Overture | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 17 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18. Canon On The Sixth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 19 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 20 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21. Canon On The Seventh | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 22. Alla Breve | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24. Canon On The Octave | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27. Canon On The Ninth | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 28 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 29 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 30. Quodlibet | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria Da Capo | Glen Gould Discusses His Peformances Of The Goldberg Variations With Time Page, August 22, 1982, Toronto, Canada | Studio Outtakes From The 1955 Goldberg Variations Recording Session

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