Which varation of the Goldberg Variations?

I like Glenn Gould's versions (I think he did them twice) very much.

Regards, Willem

Helmut Walcha, on EMI [France], played on the harpsichord which is not only the instrument that Bach wrote the music for, but most musically employed by Walcha for a sublime rendering of the music.

Happy Easter from George

Or, on piano, Angela Hewitt or Murray Perahia

Nigel! The Piano! ATB from George

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
Nigel! The Piano! ATB from George

Don't worry George, I still have my eye on the Walcha harpsichord set. Happy Easter!

Don't miss it. Soon the copyright runs out and EMI will loose interest when a cheaper [but probably horrid] transfer comes out on CD from fifty year old vinyl on some pirate label.

Then you will have to specially import the best master transfer from Japan at five times the current cost from EMI France, if you can even make the order!

Happy Easter, from George

Hantai's harpsichord version on Opus 111/Naive is very fine, and beautifully recorded. I have not heard his later remake on, I believe, the Mirare label.

Glen Gould and Murray Perahia versions are excelent indeed.

For a recent harpsichord verson try Céline Frisch

Following George's recommendation I bought the 5 disc copy of Helmut Walcha playing The Well-Tempered Clavier and The Goldberg Variations on EMI Classics.

An absolute bargain and a wonderful recording into the bargain - beautiful, joyous, sweet music.

Many thanks George!

Dear Tony,

Thanks for posting. I do believe that this issue is a splendid starting point for the Goldberg Variations on records, and also the wonderful cosmos in sound that the Well Tempered Clavier and Inventions represent. There is nothing to dislike about this venerable set of recordings, and the recording is as fresh as a button!

The music making is great, and so still available fifty years on.

As I noted above, IMO, this is likely to be the last chance to buy this set at a reasonable price now as the copyright expires this year. Then the only way to get the master transfers used here will be from EMI Toshiba at a much higher price. I am sure that "pirate" labels will take advantage of the copyright lapse to transfer from original LPs of the first issue, to circumvent the copyright still applying on subsequent restorations.

The new re-mastering is much finer than any of the LP issues were, most especially in terms of the timbre and complete lack of waver on the notes present in the LP issues of these recordings.

But as people have pointed out there is the estimable Hantaii recording [on Opus III CD, with almost all repeats played], and also that of his teacher Gustav Leonhardt [on Sony Classical but shorn of all repeats which might be an issue for some], and these are also superb. In fact there is no shortage of great performances on disc, including the wonderful Ito Emo who plays the music on a piano! Did I just say the word piano in the context of the Goldbergs? Oh well, sometimes there is a good reason!

Th issue of repeats is in my view significant for preserving the architectural sense that Walcha makes so much part of his compelling view, by including them all!

I prefer the Walcha set, because his music making is so compellingly flowing and forward moving, which is especially important on the Goldberg Variation recording! It comes across as a single span and compels attention without any slackening. That is important in any piece that is over 75 minutes long! Yet with Walcha there is no tendency to drift off in concentration, and so the time is as if stood still for the duration!

ATB from George

I do not wish to take issue with GFFJ, because he frequently makes very useful and sensible observations, but I have derived a lot of pleasure from listening to Angela Hewitt playing the Goldberg Variations and WTC. So, some things come down to personal taste. Let your ears be the guide.

Dear Mike,

I totally agree that everyone should follow their own tastes! Better to listen to Bach played by Gould than not listen to Bach at all, if Glenn Gould be an individual's favourite performer!

You may note I made a suggestion of a very fine piano version - that of Ito Emo!

But we were asked for recommendations, and so I added mine, and expanded [usefully, I hope in replying to Tony]. Much the same as last time there was a thread on this, and then Tony said he had followed it up with success. I rarely send people to lemons, even if my taste in performers is not all encompassing!

I quite agree about following the individual ear, and all I ever want to do is send people to a reliable starting point, from which I would encouraged them to explore other ways from other performers!

The lovely thing about this Music Room is the great taste, and great range of taste of members, and so it could never be said that any one poster could dominate the field at all! I just hope people find my recommendations as being at least reliable as a starting point.

Happy Easter! From George