Glenn Gould 1964 Goldberg Variations Aria & Some Canons

[fakeKilroy]

音が悪いのが悲しい

[MsCineast]

"ready when you are"

[IgloMoatilliatta]

que belleza!!!!!

[hutianyi2007]

Totally untextbook-style fingering. o(╯□╰)o

[hymntonight]

@hutianyi2007 Could you please elaborate a bit on that? I'm very interested in Gould's fingering, how he achieved such clarity. What do you notice from this video that is unusual?

[tokyodo555]

Does anyone know if this performance had been released as a music CD?

This performance is neither 1955 nor 1981 recording and I like this one the best!

[dahmin]

It's interesting how he played Aria so differently as an older man. Much more emotions had come into it.

[olosw]

This video shows us the true genius fo Glenn. He's highlighting Bach's compositional genius in the progression of the cannons within these variations. The first canon is in unison, second separated by seconds, third by thirds, etc... And the piece works this way; its a new and somewhat novel way to play these famous variations. Glenn gave us so much. Thank you glenn, your are missed.

[ZeroTemp]

He was good here but he was so much better in 81.

[jjp009]

Wow, is he not using any pedal? Purist. What instrument did Bach originally compose these Variations on? I guess it had no pedal?

[youresomodest]

@jjp009 Harpsichord.

[0tgtgtgt0]

@jjp009 His instrument of choice was the Lautenwerk. Not sure if he composed the Goldbergs on it though, but yes, no pedal and very little sustain to the plucked strings anyway.

[jjp009]

@0tgtgtgt0 Thanks. I am SO into Bach now. It's funny because for many, many years it was only Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff for me, but as I get older I find myself going backwards in time to music like this.

[tenorvoicefan]

Wenns mir dreckig geht, ich an der Welt und mir verzweifle, dann höre ich Bach. Er gibt mir neuen Mut und ein Gefühl, das nur schwer beschreibbar ist.

Goulds Version ist schön, aber für mich ein wenig hart und zu schnell. Trotzdem, virtuos und großartig.

Danke fürs teilen!

[herbertsa]

For me Johann Sebastian Bach was the first Jazz player.

Best Regards

from Germany.

[maskrosen78]

maaah

[trevjr]

Wow just listen to that first canon, such genius, every voice with a different touch, like 3 people talking. You people that want to argue about a wrong note here or there are missing the art. No one plays Bach like this. Variation 12 one of my favorites, so amazing how he can separate the voices, so crisp, so different from the recordings,thanks so much for this!!!!!!!

[LupinellaSolitaria]

Love it !



[drumjoey]

I wish I could type about what I’m hearing, and watching right now, as masterful as Glenn is playing piano.

[luisarinaga]

I love Gould, but this sounds so sloppy and way too quick compared to his 1981 performance. Not hating, I love this guy.

[xringer43]

As an non musician, I can't help but be amazed at how different the 64 Aria performance sounds to me from the 55 and 81 recordings. A new discovery! Variations 2 + have the power and drive of the 1955s. What gifts: JSB and GHG!

[drjekyll66]

This guy had definitivley taken the last step of musicaly evolution! Bravo !

[marekk718]

God, it's so interesting how his interpretation slowed down over the years between his first recording and the second. I quite prefer the second, slower version, although it's purely a matter of taste. The technicality of the faster variations, is only amplified by his rapid pace, but I think something thematic is lost in this more frenetic take on the variations. However, Gould is a genius and the ultimate technician, so it is nigh impossible to argue with his stylistic choices. Bravo.

[unetotaleincognito12]

am i hearing the sound of an harpsichord? it's amazing how he can produce such an earnest and faithful sound with the piano

[movoning]

@unetotaleincognito12 yes...I can almost hear it too. but maybe it's just due to the quality of the recording...the energy is here though. The masculinity in those older instruments is definitely found in this performance.

[esmimo2005]

Aquí parece que está jugando, es más joven y atrevido, parece como si hubiese una pequeña falta de respeto. la versión vieja es más profunda y más sublime. de todas formas es gould.

[gtimny]

Gould is a target because his skill - his positive genius for the technical feat of playing the piano - surpassed almost every other. He could do absolutely anything and it compelled you to listen. The criticism arises because he did so much that most consider wrong - listen to his Chopin 3rd Sonata for example. So we roll our eyes and wonder why, when he had such an incredible gift, he chose to do these things... and we say "if only I could play like that, I would do it right!"

[albedoshader]

@gtimny: Being a loner and his preference for plaing in studios for recording plus his weird posture might have played a part, too.

[tonycosworth]

Insupportable

Comment a-t-il pu faire un tel contresens dans l'aria ?

le reste du piano mécanique.

Heureusement, il a fait mieux avant et surtout après.

[bachmadness]

Thanks for the upload! I've never heard this interpretation before!!! It does have some swing to it. And Gould actually looks happy playing this.

[layunitza]

Bellísimo! 

[layunitza]

Bellísimo!

[48923636]

Fantastique

[PlanetaryBlue]

?

is

that

the man

who invented

the prepared piano...

[Glagoroth]

0:54 - 0:16... that's it.

[Theonedue]

7:02, mistake???

[JacobRudduck]

@Theonedue I seriously don't recall hearing Gould ever make a mistake.

That isn't of course saying that he NEVER makes mistakes, but I personally have never heard in any of his performances...

[Theonedue]

I know! But I think he hit a wrong note where I said. I even listined to him play that part in another recording at I think it sounded different. Its hard to tell, especially with the way the acoustics affect the sound, and the fact it was recorded with equipment of the 50s. I think the only time I heard him make a mistake (I think), besides here,was on Beethovens op.111.

[Theonedue]

Yeah, best idea to have deleted that comment because it is wrong.

[freshhh1994]

@JacobRudduck

On the 1955 Goldberg recording, variation 27, Gould hits a wrong note at the very beginning.

[JacobRudduck]

@freshhh1994 Really? Interesting, considering that was on a recording and he was incredibly picky about his recordings, I'm surprised he let that one slide. Or maybe he just didn't notice.

[mmcrosbie]

@freshhh1994 If he did hit a wrong note, it was a first for Gould, LOL.

[franzdubly]

Magistrale l'esecuzione di Glenn Gould, ieri alla Cineteca di Bologna ho avuto modo di scoprire attraverso la sua biografia proiettata all'interno della rassegna "Biografilmfestival" di questo genio del piano.

[jonnsmusich]

Later Gould repudiated this interpretation. The later version does seem .... sings better.

[princenosiatajansen]

love the theme!! such a beautiful pierce of music. sooo deeply sad and honesty. bachs character....a little of. sad bcs of the world...

[MyAlbatroz]

Glenn Gould hat Bachs Variationen wie kein anderer mit einer Intensität gespielt, die bis heute unerreicht ist. Ich glaube, JSB würde sich sehr darüber freuen.

[Seinway]

GLENN S golden Goldbergvariations, the greatest living Bach legend that lasts for ever!

[Similie]

Thank you P0lyph0ny, Glenn Gould and Bach!

[JAYASEKERA]

Listen to them fancy Canonz.

Gould's Bach is my favourite.

[deadbrain001]

I Dont know much about the Goldberg V. but the first canon is the most beautiful part. It is really why I looked for the GV. and I like better this faster version.

[SirArmengol]

I agree, the first canon is gorgeous, but listen to ol the variations and u'll find more unique pieces

[usergently]

Brava!

[hotrodius]

I love all the dipshit naysayers on here. Gee, buttfuckers, where can I buy YOUR cd?

[BlaisePascalDisciple]

You aren't a classical musician, are you? Just to know.

[ACMastering]

It's a shame about the over-modulated volume level - whoever posted this would do better to pay attention to the audio transfer level and sound - isn't that what Glenn was about as well-He was very particular the sound of his recordings.

[whatsnewtrend]

My morning piece!!

[waynie11]

you know, everyone says he's a genius, but the real genius is that he doesn't slack off. He gets out of the way and lets the rhythm move it forward. Classical musicians usually have the crappiest rhythm. He was one with a great sense of rhythm. Like how bad actors bleed feigned emotion all over, and good ones only express the bare necessity, which makes the emotion have more impact.

[thejugglenaut91]

who has better rythym than classical musicians? You are very sadly mistaken about that. That's why we go to conservatory. And yes he is genius, far beyond his understanding and technical capacities will grant him, there is also an incredible sense of interpretation that noone else can pride themselves with.

[Skoorph]

@thejugglenaut91 @thejugglenaut91 Jazz musicians, generally! As a percussionist myself i´ve noticed many classical musicians have problems keeping a good time, or having the "time feel" central in the music. The key of making anything sound good is a good sense of time - could be floating och swinging!

[semicroma]

@Skoorph But classical musicians have different goals than a jazz musician.

[KABRIS1]

@semicroma This is elitism. I am a classical and a jazz musician, and this theory does not hold water. Jazz "is" American classical music. European harmony + improvisation+swing = jazz. It's ironic that you are posting this here because, on this version, Gould "swings" ,in his own way.

[semicroma]

@KABRIS1 Maybe I misunderstood you, I thought you tried to listen to classical music (european art music) in the ears of a jazz musican, and if you do that naturally the rhythm will not sound good.

[Sterndi1]

Yeah! Totally agree - his rhythmic designs are stunning especially in his 2nd recording of the GV.

[vitisfera]

maestro

[mashapu]

素敵です。

[dicostu]

You idiot.

[GetMeThere1]

Pretty funny comment. In fact, Gould positively SEETHES with emotion, and puts all that emotion into EVERY SINGLE NOTE. He's not interested in playing a note unless it possesses EXACTLY the character and emotional expression he wants it to have.

[Frozentoes1]

Reading your comments clearly reveal your ignorance. You managed to say nothing. Your limited knowledge of the principles of Bach interpretations makes you a light-weight, not to be taken seriously.

[jwang32]

I don't always agree with his interpretations. But his articulation is phenomenal.

[billyguns2]

I agree, and I also adore his forward motion and the tension he maintains in the musical line. Funny, it is not his Bach playing I admire; his Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, and Brahms can be quite compelling, as well as his playing of lesser known and more contemporary composers (from Byrd to Schoenberg! )

[lilythepink123]

@billyguns2 At last somebody who expresses exactly what I've always felt. Sorry, your comment is from a year ago but I had to answer! His much-maligned Mozart is fascinating! You love it or hate it, but it never leaves you indifferent. I. for one, love most of it, and also his pre-baroque interpretations.

[indunamike]

Something are beyond discussion about his chair and other stuff. Can't you recognize genius without spoiling it with your own petty concerns.

[wayo002]

In spite of his eccentricities, ie, the chair, the gesticulations (less in this video than in others) the humming, there's no doubt that his interpretations are among the most compelling I've ever heard. Richard Goode also is an excellent interpreter, but Gould is the best! He believed strongly that the only way to play Bach was for the pianist to drive the music rather than vice-versa. His legacy is prodigious.

[doublealufwaffe]

I think his eccentricities lie mostly in the way he sometimes interprets. If i were to play interpret a certain piece in way that was not my teacher's he would disagree with me. This seems to happen to Glenn Gould and society although i understand that the general dislike of Gould has diminished.

[Irshkboy]

Militant science is a clown. We admire Gould because his playing is perfection, not because he hums. I personally like the humming, It always reminds me that there was a man behind playing this music. And personally I am more fascinated with Bach and how anyone could ever compose such music.

[klinsha8]

"Oh how I love your shitty chair! Your humming! Your Asperger syndrome!".

Well, Militant Science,of sure you are free to hate all the "entourage" of glenn gould.But the phrase above is, at least, very unhappy.

[greentree24]

MIlitant science: I don't believe that he had Asperger Syndrome. He was rather sociable and normal during his early years but as he grew older he became more distant. I don't know much, but I do know that he didn't have a mental illness like that.

Glenn Gould is excellent to me. He shows total devotion to what he does best. He was a genius and that to me is what makes him Glenn Gould.

[munkybrain]

asperger's syndrome isn't really an illness any more than it is an illness to be left handed. the only reason i don't think glenn had asperger's syndrome is because of so much personal experience with autism.

[SeanAHiggins]

Asperger syndrome is not considered 'mental illness' per se -- the nature of his abuse of drugs, and ensuing dependency and resulting addiction are classified as mental illness (refer to the various forms/definitions of addiction, DSM IV Manual)...

[MilitantScience]

I prefer Schiff, always have.

Although, don't get me wrong, Gould is also profound. However, I feel that with Gould, a lot of his popularity is over-done; almost resembling that of a cult.

I think partly, and rather oddly, to do with Gould's incessant humming and shitty recording! As well as his often oddball interpretations, which are good, but are not (for me) of Schiff's quality - that is, more in sync with Bach's vision.

[troppofiato]

And how do you know, pray tell, which is Bach's "vision"? Did he personally explain it to you?

[MilitantScience]

Yes he did, over coffee with Brahms and Beethoven.

Pray tell??? You meant please tell, right?

[Kurtyoungblood]

I think you're wrong about Gould but that "pray tell" bit was funny.

[Milligan1932]

Pray tell is actually correct. It is a more English way of talking than most are familier to but it is correct.

Gould is the best of pianists, and his premature death was the greatest travesty of our time.

[lexo30]

'Pray tell' is correct for the 18th century but is now considered archaic, not to mention affected.

Also, I wouldn't call Gould's early death a 'travesty'. Tragedy, perhaps.

[SirArmengol]

He played every version of the Goldberg Variation as he felt it in that moment

[pesterlovis]

yes,i think the same as you... i saw a lot of different performances of him of the aria and they have all a different feeling.. i think it's the only real key we have in order to understand the genius of gould..

[SirArmengol]

awesome

[CounterpointReigns]

I believe he makes a very minor mistake at 7:01. Other than that, flawless performance. He has the most wonderfully steady tempo.

[kbilly7878]

dont you give a shit about music? idiot...

[dmbemfamm]

seems incredible for me that this video has only 8207 entries when i just came up to see this you tube gem (imposible to see this without).

[LeslieRBC]

Wow, this is stunning. And completely different than his 1955 and 1981 recordings. Cool stuff.

[lupenzo71]

is no piano is harpsihord!!

[jeangorin]

+ 10 !!!!!!

[suede20]

wow. i really looking for this. thanks!!!!!!

i'm so happy there are many gould fans in youtube .

[faraz1729]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing this. Is there a complete version available on DVD?

[p0lyph0ny]

Not that I'm aware of; I'm not even sure if he filmed the full set in '64 -- I think the programm was intended to just be excerpts. I am surprised he didn't film the canon at the sixth, which he said in an interview with Tim Page was his favorite.

[weikko79]

Gould played this selection on some other occasions as well, for instance at the unofficial concert-lecture that he gave to students at Moscow and Leningrad in 1957.

[trevjr]

@p0lyph0ny he probably respected its place and didnt want to trivialize it in some excerpts. amazing recording to see how 9 years changed him, i do hear some of this in the 1980 recording. i really would like to hear the 55, 64, and 80 back to back, that would be so interesting. in var 12, it is so amazing how he can do the question and answer in an inverted canon, and the voices have to be divided between the hands. it makes me think that one must be a schizo to play this music, hmmmm.

[a1s2d3f4g5q1w2e3]

It's available on Laser Disc and VHS (both obsolete).

[str3123]

@faraz1729 search for "Glenn Gould Plays Bach (1981)" on amazon ;)