Goldberg Variations
L'Crowe
Andras Schiff's, which blows me away. Such delicacy and
fluidity.
Charles Rosen's, the recording of which has a harsher
sound. I have difficulty with this production on occasion
when it sounds like there is something wrong going on with
the pedals. It sounds like the clanging of pots and pans.
In other words, when it comes to an abrupt stop, the sound
isn't resolved and I hear remnants of old chords lying
around disturbing the final played chord.
Kurt Rodarmer's, which is a unique and awe-inspiring work of
art. First of all, he sounds great throughout. Second of
all, one marvels at his dedication to playing the whole
score. The production is clear and intimate. My only
objection, and I have said it before here, is that the
Goldberg's were intended to be played on one instrument by
young Goldberg. Therefore, I think the underlying intention
of the work has been disturbed, but no matter, because
Rodarmer has created something new and viable. I get the
feeling like I am opening a fine bottle of wine whenever I
pull this CD out of its case.
I urgently await hearing József Eötvös' version, an
interpretation for solo guitar. I also wonder if the Gould
versions still match their reputation...I haven't heard them
yet.
--
`> a crowe by any other color is still a crowe `>
Ray Bay
earlier one (1959?)
You will be astonished that the Schiff version and the Gould
versions are even the same music...
You also need the full orchestra version; the Wanda Landowska
version, the Rosalyn Turek version, the Leonhardt version,
the Richter version, the Keith Jarrett version, the Martins...
You cannot own too many versions of the Goldbergs... I find
nearly all of them interesting, entertaining, and astonishing...
Ray Bay
dhmac
>You must have both of Gould's versions, the 1981 and the
>earlier one (1959?)
>
>You will be astonished that the Schiff version and the Gould
>versions are even the same music...
>
the Gould '81 version compared to these?
Ray Bay
and I think everybody should own both versions... along
with....
Tord Kallqvist Romstad
>You must have both of Gould's versions, the 1981 and the
>earlier one (1959?)
There are four Gould versions --- 1954, 1955, 1959 and 1981. I like the
1955 and 1959 versions much better than the 1981 recording, I have
never heard the 1954.
>You will be astonished that the Schiff version and the Gould
>versions are even the same music...
>
>You also need the full orchestra version; the Wanda Landowska
>version, the Rosalyn Turek version, the Leonhardt version,
>the Richter version, the Keith Jarrett version, the Martins...
>
>You cannot own too many versions of the Goldbergs... I find
>nearly all of them interesting, entertaining, and astonishing...
I agree. I would like to add Ralph Kirkpatrick and Pierre Hantaļ to
your list. Hantaļ's recording (on the harpsichord) is currently my
favorite.
Tord
mik...@freewwweb.com
decide which to buy first. The Gould video was Made in the 80's, I believe.
The Schiff video was made in the 90's (I beleive).
Thanks,
Mike
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mik...@freewwweb.com
Robert Hill, harpsichord
Live in concert at the Kaufhaussaal, Freiburg, Germany, 1993;
Goldberg Variations, Cytherium 101, [DDD, 1993]
10332 Chelsea-Manchester Rd.
Manchester, MI 48158 USA
Performance : 10+
Audio quality: 10+
Availability: very rare
Cover Art: Gold writing on maroon background, Bach's signature at top
A LIVE TREAT This is an exceptionally pleasing and delightful live
performance from Robert Hill. Yes, live! It is technically and musically
superb. I think Robert simply recorded it for himself- there was no
recording deal. After many requests for copies, he finally started to
distribute it thru normal commercial means.
OPENING IMPROVISATION SETS THE MOOD JUST RIGHT Robert starts off by playing a
short, pleasant improvisation that really sets the mood just right. When the
improv is over- you know the opening bars of variation no.1 is next. It's a
very delightful anticipation that Robert gives to the listener- the brief
moment of silence just before variation no.1 is timed perfectly and creates a
delightful anticipation! Unlike just about all other recordings that start
off immediately into the first variation, Robert's opening improv is kind of
a 'thankyou' and mini-tribute to Bach. It works. After all, Bach himself
often 'warmed up' by playing an improv or music he admired from other
composers.
THE EXCEPTIONAL HARPSICHORD TONE The harpsichord, made by Robert's brother,
Keith Hill, has the best tone of any harpsichord I've ever heard, period!
It's a modern tone with no harsh metallic 'plucking' tone! The register
changes are good too and at times almost remind me of an oriental harp or
something. I can understand why some are not that fond of harpsichord- it's
an unusual instrument that can often sound metallic and harsh. Well, this
recording is the exception! Beautiful tones from beginning to end, that no
one can object to.
GREAT AUDIO Even though there are the expected noises from being a live
recording (a few coughs, other keyboard noises), they are very infrequent and
do not interfere at all in this great presentation. The audio is very close
to the instrument and you can hear things like the wood sounds and pedal
releases, etc...I really like hearing these sounds- it makes it all the more
'live'.
VERY RARE This CD is worth searching for, but I doubt you will find it
anywhere, so maybe try contacting the company. It's listed at Borders.com in
the "Hard to Find" category. Good luck!
Ray Bay
It is difficult to impossible to find the 1954 or
1959 versions on any rack. Gould himself discounted
the other versions when the 1981 recording came out
saying that the 1955 was the only one to compare
to the 1981.
Most critics rate the 1955 as best of genre, and
the 1981 as a necessary second. It is fun and stimulating
to compare the two.
The nice thing is the 1955 is available at $9.95 list
and can be found for $6.99 to $7.56 to $8.88 online or
in most good CD stores.
Even so, no good collection is complete without a few
other versions because the Gould recordings are
idiosyncratic. The Schiff and the Leonhardt certainly,
the Landowska and the Nikolayeva despite the bad sound,
the Pinnock and the Gilbert...
If you have only two... the 1955 Gould and the recent
re-release of the Schiff on EMI
Tord Kallqvist Romstad
>But only the 1955 and the 1981 are generally available.
>It is difficult to impossible to find the 1954 or
>1959 versions on any rack.
Yes, the 1954 version is very hard to find (I still haven't found it).
However, the 1959 version can be bought in almost any record shop. It
is included in Sony's Glen Gould Edition.
Tord
Penning
map. What I like most about Gould is his sense of rhytm, other versions I've
heard were more fuzzy in that respect. Also, Gould plays a A-B-A structure
whereas others repeat the first line, ie A-A-B-A. I like the ABA structure
better since you get right down to the tasty center piece, it's like biting
a cherry bonbon rather than sucking on it. Last but not least, the hum-along
sounds and the sea of noise on the '55 recording give it some distant,
melancholic quality....
Ciao, JPP
L'Crowe heeft geschreven in bericht <36C0997E...@ix.netcom.com>...
ka...@cs.umb.edu
Isn't this the live recording for the CBC? I believe you can buy it
directly from the CBC, although I don't have contact info at hand.
I can look it up if any need/interest.
The big Internet music stores (gemm, cdnow, amazon, cdconnection,
musicblvd, cduniverse, towerrecords, ...) might be worth checking if you
haven't already.
Happy listening,
ka...@cs.umb.edu
Wabe Brillig
www.musicblvd.com
www.everycd.com
www.amazon.com
www.cdnow.com
www.tower.com
www.berkshirerecoutlet.com
www.hnh.com
H&B
or
on any catalog in my collection.
JLHughes
<pop...@westbrabant.net> wrote:
>...Also, Gould plays a A-B-A structure
>whereas others repeat the first line, ie A-A-B-A.
The theme and every variation has the same structure, which is binary
(two parts which are enclosed in repeat signs). GG chose often to
ignore both repeats, while some others ignore just the second one. Yet
others make both repeats.
Your second A in the description above implies that the opening
material returns. It doesn't.
yrs
Jeremy
flux aeterna music
Woodbridge.Suffolk.UK
to reply, change 'me' to 'u'.