Goldberg Variations Main Performer or Conductor: Glenn Gould Instrumentation: Piano Individual Works: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 Also includes: "The Well-Tempered Clavier," Book II Prélude & Fugue No. 14 in F Sharp Minor, BWV 883 Prélude & Fugue No. 7 in E Flat Major, BWV 876 Prélude & Fugue No. 22 in B Flat Minor, BWV 891 Prélude & Fugue No. 9 in E Major, BWV 878 Format: Compact Disc Record Label: CBC Catalog Number: PSCD 2007 Year Released/Recorded: 1952/54 Total Playing Time: 65:40 Comments: Ernest Wan said: Gould's recording for his personal use. Jon Hagar said: After familiarizing myself with his legendary 1981 recording and being informed of his debut in 1955, I was overjoyed to stumble across this recently released performance of Glenn Gould from 1954, originally aired as part of CBC's Distinguished Artists recital. The contrast between this, his first recorded interpretation, and his final is astounding in both the musical contrast - the freshness of a live performance versus the polished finish of a studio recording - and the spread in maturity in the masterful Glenn Gould. Brilliant even at 21, Gould coherently presents all 32 movements almost without flaw in one take. Perhaps more astounding than his speed is his ingenius realization of this piece. A definite recommendation for fans of Bach and Gould alike. Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments: Ernest Wan Jon Hagar Date First Submitted: 11/30/1997 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.

---

About This Site Biography, Portraits and Literature Works by BWV Number Works by Category Works by Instrument & Title Works by Key Works by Title Works by Year Recordings by Title Recordings by Conductor or Main Performer Recordings by Instrument Recordings by BWV Number Recordings by Record Label Web Sites with Bach Information Web Sites with Bach MIDI Files