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Discussion: Bach: Goldberg Variations - Glenn Gould

Posts: 28
Page: 1 2 3 next

Post by zeus February 9, 2007 (1 of 28)

Post by dvda-sacd February 10, 2007 (2 of 28)
I love the 1955 original performance. I'm curious to listen to the "re-performance".

Post by Beagle February 10, 2007 (3 of 28)
The technology is wonderful, but the 1955 interpretation is that of a young artist. GG's 're-performance' of the Goldbergs in 1981 is obviously the pianist's own perferred version. But a case can be made to prefer the former (I remember the discussion in the aisles of Sam the Record Man ca. 1982). For a lop-sided debate, cf:
http://www.soundsandfury.com/soundsandfury/2004/07/goulds_goldberg.html

One good reason to buy this disc: Zenph didn't recreate Glenn's singing...!
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PS: one can also pre-order at Amazon.co.uk for 11.99.

Post by dvda-sacd February 10, 2007 (4 of 28)
Beagle said:

The technology is wonderful, but the 1955 interpretation is that of a young artist. GG's 're-performance' of the Goldbergs in 1981 is obviously the pianist's own perferred version.

I like both. ;-D

Post by terence February 11, 2007 (5 of 28)
so do i. i DON'T particularly like the idea of this new "recording". it's a technological reconstruction, maybe, but it is NOT glenn gould playing.

if people are happy buying it on that basis, fine.

i'm not. i like to think that (modern studio editing techniques etc. notwithstanding) there's a live human being somewhere on the other end of my speakers making the vibrations. it's what's called music-MAKING, not music-FABRICATION.

Post by Christine Tham April 9, 2007 (6 of 28)
Site review just posted. I will be interested any feedback, comments, alternate opinions.

Post by terence April 9, 2007 (7 of 28)
thanks christine, super review. i'm almost tempted to buy it.

Post by Peter April 9, 2007 (8 of 28)
Yes, indeed, Christine, many thanks for a most interesting review.

Post by Beagle April 9, 2007 (9 of 28)
Brava Christine! John Q. put that advance copy in good hands. At the very least, your review will sway a few techo-skeptics on this site. But I suspect that, beyond the niche-market of SACD, Zenph has an 'all-time best-seller' coming out in May.

Post by Daland April 9, 2007 (10 of 28)
terence said:

so do i. i DON'T particularly like the idea of this new "recording". it's a technological reconstruction, maybe, but it is NOT glenn gould playing.

When I first read about this idea, I felt a bit uncomfortable. But perhaps such a "re-performance" comes closer to the original than anything before it. Whenever you hear Glenn Gould (or any other great pianist) on LP or CD it is quite clear that this is not the real thing. You get an idea of the overall conception and much else, but the tone, the dynamics and the clarity of the recording depend on the sound engineers and the technology used.

The reviewer found it difficult to tell whether the differences between the recording and the re-performance were attributable to Gould's playing or to the quality of the recording.

In my opinion, any recording process is a reconstruction.

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