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

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by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Glenn Gould, Tim Page

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Average Rating: Rating: - A MUST HAVE SET ! Sony Music has done a marvelous job for this 3 CD set. The 1955 & 1981 Goldberg Variations never sounded better. On CD1 (1955 version), the sound is much improved than the earlier "Glenn Gould Edition CD" originally released in early 1990's. Now, there's no sense of congestion & hashness on the piano sound. You can hear the inner details and sense of freedom and breath of notes so clearly on this new CD. No fake noise reduction or souped up sound like what you can find in the 1990's Glenn Gould Edition remastered. Everything just sounds right for the first time on "State of Wonder" CD. The CD2 (1981 version) is a revelation. Compared the Glenn Gould Edition CD with this newly remastered is like a night and day! Suddently, there's the light shines through every notes of this 1981 recording. It sings so beautifully on this new CD! On CD3, a wonderful (scripted)interview and the outtakes of 1955 Goldberg Variations with same sonic treatment. In summary, I'm very happy I bought this wonderful "State of Wonder" 3CD set although I also own the Glenn Gould Edition CDs that released 10 years ago. Now, I'm planning to visit used CD stores and ask if they want my older remastered Glenn Gould Edition CDs. I hope they do! Rating: - A wonder, a treasure Two decades after his death, Glenn Gould's art remains undiminished in stature, as lustrous and diamond-hard as his carefully sculpted recorded interpretations. This CD brings together in one deluxe package his two recorded performances of Bach's Goldberg variations, the first of which shot him to immediate, lasting, and deserved prominence on the musical scene. Even now, close to five decades after its release, the clarity, brilliant technique and sheer energy Gould brings to Bach in this 1955 performance takes one's breath away. Historically accurate performance it is not, but something more important--a rendition that brings the music back to life, fresh and new. The later, valedictory recording, released just before Gould died of a stroke in 1982, makes a fascinating contrast, generally slower and more contemplative (with more repeats taken, though not all), and oddly demarcated inner voices and accentuations that nevertheless illuminate the complexities of Bach's music in a way perhaps no one has done before or since. The sound, remastered from analogue tapes made at the time of the original digital recording, is even better than in the original release There is a third disc that includes an "interview," carefully scripted, with Gould by the critic Tim Page. It is not surprising that someone as obsessed with the process of producing the perfect musical recording as Gould was would have wanted to exercise the same control over a verbal discussion as well! As a bonus there are also outtakes from the 1955 recording sessions. The packaging includes numerous photographs of the pianist in various stages of his life, as well as essays by Gould, Page, and others. This is an album that should be in every pianist's, piano aficionado's, and music lover's collection. Bravo! Rating: - A must for fans of piano, Glenn Gould, and classical music Eccentric Canadian pianist made his mark on the classical music world with his groundbreaking 1955 recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations." Twenty-six years later, he recorded another landmark version of the classic piece. These two recordings are now available together with a third "bonus disc." Gould's performances are nothing short of stunning. There is a vast difference between the two -- the most obvious being that the later version is much slower and more expressive -- but they are both beautiful, moving recordings. The bonus disc is almost worth the price of the whole thing! It consists mainly of a 1982 interview with Gould conducted by noted music critic Tim Page. Gould is funny, insightful, a bit self-deprecating, and even a little catty (he isn't crazy about, among other things, minimalism and Mozart). The interview is a pure joy and is the bonus disc is capped off with outtakes from the original 1955 "Goldberg" session. Beautiful music, a piece of history, and all at a very reasonable price.

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

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