Glenn Gould - Bach, Well-Tempered Klavier II - No. 14 F#-

[sirjuandabicho]

Muchas gracias por compartirlo.

[bersa888]

Harpsichord lovers are squirming at this hideous sounding instrument....

[PKamargo]

It was missing one jack in this harpsichord...

[Mrababab121212]

Ja hier spielst du sehr gut beinahe wie meil Karl - I meine richter . fine JSB Leipzig zur Zeit im Grabe :(

[musicizzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

Gorgeous

[Gorbukoki]

thank you glen for letting me appreciate the harpsichord

[aarkerio]

All Bach's music must be played in a Harpsichord, in piano is too "juicy", Bach never know piano and in his head this is what He wanna hear. Besides, piano es too easy for composers, all sounds good! Harpsichord demand more copmposition talent.

[goingfortheone1]

@aarkerio Odd that you'd be watching Glenn Gould then. He must be the devil incarnate for you.

[NimbleTurtle13]

@aarkerio Bach's concept for sound was beyond the sounds of the instruments at that time. There are many proofs of this. He himself wanted to further improve the harpsichord's sound.

[kanunisultanhan]

J'aime la musique classique.

[kohisiyo]

Genius !!

[crispijnvansas]

The harpshishot might be dead but glenn gould is still alive

[chochosymphony]

harpsichords sounds always like castlevania

[tman8077]

Wish he wasn't humming with it!  It's sooo offf!

[ciliaspippi]

@tman8077

I always wonder why he did that. He had perfect pitch, and even if he hadn't, he still could have hummed in tune... guess we'll never know

[plunkza]

Even if it's a bad instrument I love hearing these ones on harpsichord, especially with the two tiers of keys and sounds.

[TwelfthRoot2]

God, I love that Fugue!!

[vorrifmn]

THe guy before this guy pissed me off

[dwayne515]

@vorrifmn that's the same guy -.-

[Drakopulous]

This is a terrible harpsichord... Nightmarish concoction.

[susumu07]

@Drakopulous

That's what they were like in the 70s... these "revival" harpsichords were basically plucked pianos, horrendous bulky things with industrial-strength string tension and iron frames. Awful when plucked, raspy tin gutter sound. Nowadays there are makers who actually build harpsichords in the old baroque style that sound a lot lighter and smoother like they are supposed to. Glenn Gould did the best he could with this thing, but even Gould can't make elephants dance like ballerinas.

[SSvolksgrenadier]

my thoughts of this video

whats this? a harpsichord?. what.. ow! my ears!

[murilolovizotto]

I just cried watching this video

[lip333]

I really don't like the sound of this instrument. Is it only me?

[keishadelacerna]

@lip333 you're not alone, it gives me a headache

[fissionesque]

Glenn Gould was mechanic, technical, all of that, but that doesn't mean he didn't put his true feelings into it. Those are his true feelings. He was obsessive. He was a nut. You can't expect some flowy romantic waltz out of him. That's not going to happen. He didn't even like that stuff. He hated it. I think his playing is beautiful and reflect his personality wonderfully. That's all you can. If you want perfection, find something played by a computer.

[NorbertZF]

Gould? Or Gumby. Obviously, Gumby had not just more talent but talent itself. How can anybody with functioning ears and in their supposed right minds give this creep a second listen? Guess that they also prefer off key singing and finger nails dragged across a blackboard. YUK!

[freshhh1994]

@NorbertZF

lol joke?

[beatlesmack9]

@NorbertZF What is your beef with Gould?

[NorbertZF]

@beatlesmack9

I have no "beef" with Gould. He's dead. I DO have a beef with people who wish to perpetuate the myth that he was some sort of ultimate interpreter of Bach's music.

[BasileusR]

@NorbertZF vagina brain

[NorbertZF]

So, according to Gould's fanatic fans, the NUTTIER you are the greater genius???

Guess that would put Charley Manson in that category too, although he doesn't play an instrument. Then again, neither did Gould when you come right down to it. This guy was a mental case with delusions of being something "great" and he had one helluva TERIFFIC agent out there hawking him.

[MeowMixerable]

@NorbertZF

Hey idiot:

Charles Manson plays the guitar dipshit. Look him the fuck up. And in fact, before you ever talk again, why don't you read something that wasn't cranked out of your own asshole. Good night. ;D

[mmcrosbie]

Let me very clear - I am an admirer of Glenn Gould and own many of his recordings and have read many books and watched many films about him.

[pyrosardukar]

what a master

[rosinlr]

Asperger's is an interesting idea, but does not explain Gould's intense emotional connection to the music he played. The man is quite simply a genius. His oddities are completely beside the point.

[mmcrosbie]

@rosinlr I would recommend you read the book: Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould and watch the documentary film by the same name. I own both and have learned things about Gould that were not available until recently. I don't believe it is just the oddities such as wearing gloves and a heavy coat and hat in hot summer weather and humming while playing that people refer to when they suggest he may have Asperger's syndrome. It was how he lived his entire life that suggests it.

[trevjr]

So beautiful and haunting. I love F# minor anyway. such a genius Bach and Glenn are. Triple fugue, amazing that he could play this, just amazing. It is almost overwhelming when the 3rd fugue theme comes in . Bach and Gould, such true geniuses the planet has produced ever.

[Loejyrrab]

@trevjr I couldn't add to yours. You said it all. Bach, born 1685, Gould 1932. I should like to think the two men have conversed in the afterlife.

[kduffy760]

It's official. I've watched this video more than any other. Probably 20-30 times

[yumeybaconcutout]

the harpsichord truly is a wonderful instrument. don't get me wrong, i love the piano, but something about it just makes my insides glow when i hear it sing the well tempered clavier.

[TheLivingHeiromartyr]

prefer this so much more to Book I

[BlackIsOut]

lol 0 00 died.

by the way, i want to play harpsichord is it more difficult thet piano? and how do the keys feel?

[mmcrosbie]

@BlackIsOut So far, no one has replied to your query. I can't answer it, but I wonder how difficult it would be to find a harpsichord. If you are in a large cosmopolitan city, you might possibly find one. Other challenges would be to get find a teacher for this rare instrument and to obtain the use of a harpsichord to practice daily.

[studentjohn36]

I believe this was Greta Kraus' Wittmayer double manual. Who has it today, I wonder?

[bersa888]

@studentjohn36 : I hope no one does... ;-)

[PerfekteWagnerianer]

what kind of cembalo is this, with 5 pedals?

[gianm73yout]

@PerfekteWagnerianer it should be a whittmayer with six pedals... but I'm not sure

[PerfekteWagnerianer]

@gianm73yout you're right, i've just found it on the web... =) but prehaps the pedals are 5.. anyway a very intresting instrument.. I have at home a fiamming one von Gerog Zahl..

[gianm73yout]

@PerfekteWagnerianer yes, but it is a "revival" harpsichord... a historical copy like yours is better for sure.

Please take a look at the Neupert website: they sell both original and revival instruments. Very intersting. There is also the legendary "Bach's harpsichord" model ... nothing to do with the "real" Bach's harpsichord. I do not know if this "revival" harpsichords are still used for baroque concertos and recordings.

[bromerboy]

se vende este video????

[joehero4]

The first two second forces me to laugh! :D

I don't even know, why need those funny moves, and mimicry. He won't better with those... But more ridiculous! :D

[Ianthe22]

@joehero4 When you watch a movie do you laugh cry or express any other feelings?

[joehero4]

@Ianthe22 I don't. But i think it's tooooooooo exaggerating!

[Ianthe22]

@joehero4 So you mean to tell me you don't ever express any of your feelings?

[joehero4]

@Ianthe22 Bah... Sorry... Nevermind that so...

[Ianthe22]

@joehero4 Don't be:D. Are his movements exaggerated? You are entitled to your oppinion. You might also be right, but to believe they are totally superflous is very naive.

[thonyus]

Well, the fugue is about twice the speed I take it. Thinking of the Passion symbols present in the musical rhetoric of the fugue, I would think that a slower tempo would be more fitting. However, at this tempo, the piece takes a whole different form; it is rather more academic, and rather less beautiful, but still fascinating. Sound quality and tempo aside, we are still hearing Bach that actually sounds like Bach (which one rarely hears in this age of retouching masterpieces).

[pmchsaini]

It's not bad at all... Of course that's not a real harpsichord (that sounds incrediply great) but the problem is that wood sound you can hear! The man is obviously a pianist, since the force he puts on his fingers is enough to play the piano, but when playing the harpsichord force doesn't matter at all. You can just touch your fingers and play the same as by playing piano-style; the only diffirence is that annoying sound... (I think somebody said that also before) However, good effort Gould!

[harpsinth]

It´s seems to be a Neupert "modernized" harpsichord... the action is very easy to control and the performance is made easier....the wood noise you hear are due

to the player´s "pianistic" force on keyboard and plectra. This instrument sounds

so bad... and confused people start to attack the harpsichord music...

[MrIgorzaumm]

Oh my god the progression 5:10 is perfect!

[FabioThePianist]

@MrIgorzaumm all is perfect

[missprincess909]

Although he looks like he's about to have a seizure during part of his performance because he is so into his playing, this is absolutely amazing!

[robertgift]

What's with the lifting and straightening of the fingers?

Funny that he sings parts.

Unfortunately I often whistle very high pitch as though I am supplying a mixture rank on an organ.

[orangekush3]

@robertgift that's how you play a harpsichord, the keys are very different to touch (kinda crunchy), you have to play with almost feather like gentleness...given that gould is a pianist and not a harpsichordist he compensates his heavy fingers and wrists, result of the different feel keys have in the piano, by straightening his fingers and lifting his wrists as such. hope this clarifies things.

[paulchiuk]

Love that Gould moment at 2:30, There's a magnificent choral effect. His singing makes it.... jubilant!

[JacobRudduck]

lol best intro ever...

[pinkfloyddwc]

@JacobRudduck lol yeah!

[buzzflydunbother]

so is this similar to the tuning that bach would've used?

[Envergure]

@buzzflydunbother

Nobody knows for sure. This recording sounds like equal temperament to me (I may be wrong). It may have been intended for equal temperament, but a few different just intonations are also candidates.

[trevjr]

Glenn is great. The fugue is a triple fugue.

[gitersaras]

I think Glenn Gould Is In love with Bach..... :P

[magor665]

@gitersaras who does not? :D

[jrblockquote]

i find it AMAZING that glenn gould has such refined skills on the piano and clavier. they are really two different skill sets.

[artboy76]

cage your que

[ereko25]

This fugue is epic ^^

[chexg]

I don't choose to listen to this kind of music that often, but watching him play that instrument is pretty epic :D

[LongDriveChamp03]

I love how this instrument sounds. Especially that clicking sound that it makes when he plays the trill :-)

[ILikeToShred]

Look at him! He loves that shit! What passion! THUMBS UP!!! ^__^

[assa123assa123]

somehow this is the most amazing harpsichord sound I've heard

and that's Gould of course

[bersa888]

@assa123assa123 : I'm not a nut about historical authenticity and all of that, but this is a terrible sounding instrument (as an harpsichord)... you should listen - if you haven't already - to a "real" harpsichord (a good copy or a reconstructed instrument), and you'll realize that the instrument Gould is using is nothing but a caricature of the real thing.

[nairigrigorian]

Genial!!!

[Bachlives2]

You know even though Glenn's performances are not my favorite, They are fantastic. I can't stand the clavecin he is playing but he has a heart of Crystal for Bach!

[OrganoAeternam]

@Bachlives2 Agreed!

[Joshology21]

Drug addicts are always the best musicians.

[str3123]

sorry but Glenn Gould/Bach on a cembalo is like Michael Schumacher on a kids tricycle (even if this music was originally written for cembalo)...

[nykaza1]

@str3123 hmmm...comparing musical composition and performance to f1 racing is like comparing brain surgery to band-aid application...

[nykaza1]

...having said that, i agree...both of their talents are wasted on this ugly sounding instrument...it sounds... pretentious...

[zyxonian]

@nykaza1 I hope you referring to this specific harpsichord as ugly and not harpsichord in general. This specific harpsichord is a nontraditional instrument with steel strings rather than nylon. In addition, Glenn Gould doesn't play with harpsichord technique, as he is a pianist.

I recommend listening to real harpsichords played by harpsichordists before your diss this old instrument. I suggest this recording of a Couperin Unmeasured Prelude. Played historically accurate on a real harpsichord

[bill76169]

@zyxonian Post a link please,

thanks

[zyxonian]

@nykaza1 damn it. I couldn't send it.

[zyxonian]

@nykaza1 I sent it in a personal message.

[Huffinearts]

I could careless that he is a strange man. His musicianship is first class.

[humpert]

musical drug...

[savemyplaylist]

I've been searching all over the damn internet and I can't find a person who plays this with as much thought and foot tapping beat as Glenn. By the end I'm banging my head and stomping my feet like I'm at a rock concert.

[KABRIS1]

@savemyplaylist Great comment! No one has Gould's timing.

[musicaltra]

no!

[NorrisChuckling]

@musicaltra Yes!

[kennethwilliams31894]

incredible!

[incasmaya]

Shit.

[phantomeagle]

Amen ohlordbaby.

[LaDivinaAriell]

I am amazed that Gould would obsess his entire life for the perfect piano, but when he decided to use a harpsichord - it seemed that he paid no attention whatsoever to the sound or quality of the instrument in question(?) I prefer his Bach on the piano, to be honest....still, his genius is unquestionable.

[fakeaccount8455hr]

Love the intro chord on the piano haha

[aomarlargo]

genius.

[aomarlargo]

genius.

[life12172001]

如果你不會分部

看這個就有概念了

[mindovermattjr]

Bach was so well-tempered.

[susumu07]

This isnt a historically accurate harpsichord. It's one of the clunky "revival" ones made in the 60's that use high-tension piano wires and pedals. More recently harpsichord makers like Frank Hubbard and Gerald Self produced instruments that are actually based on the more delicate, precision historical ones, they sound MUCH better than this (that's not a criticism of Glenn Gould's playing, only the rather crude instrument that was available to him at that time).

[Ianthe22]

Such daring play.. so skilled and so much feeling for the music.

[todds7]

Despite the historical accuracy of a harpsichord, I really prefer to hear Gould's Bach on a Steinway.

I dig the 70s vibe of this studio set. :)

[KABRIS1]

Ten stars!

[vivaweiss]

why don't they put a sixth star for rating? I would use it!!

[lsb6785]

@vivaweiss Seven stars, maybe eight? A constellation?

[jewish1972]

no debiera cortar el ligado de las notas y sobretodo canturrear. Su asiento es demasiado bajo

[tallswede68]

This fellow seems to be an expert at the keyboard. Does anyone know if he's offering lessons?

[SANPH]

@tallswede68 You're joking right? He died in 1982. Before you potentially bring it up, he had no jewish ancestry, but often made jokes about it because of his original family name of Gold, which his parents changes to Gould due to peoples assumptions.

[tallswede68]

I never had any suspicions that he was Jewish, but thanks for the information.

[Jitpring]

Interesting use of the word "suspicions." Explain.

[tallswede68]

Interesting use of the word "interesting". Explain.

[Renshen1957]

Glenn Gould is descended Norwegian of Scottish descent. His maternal grandfather was a cousin of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

[nobody123r]

@tallswede68 You're joking, right?

[tallswede68]

Yes, I'm joking. You know it.

[AlsatianCousin]

Nobody laughed.

[tallswede68]

@AlsatianCousin

How could you know such a thing?

[VinnyTN]

he's dead

[Mozartology]

Sorry to break the news to you, he's dead...

[rwocmo]

Was it Beecham who said that a harpsichord sounds like two skeletons copulating on a tin roof?

[Yoshi5020]

lol'd hard

[Renshen1957]

Sir Thomas didn't like J S Bach either.

"Too much counterpoint; what is worse,

Protestant counterpoint."

GRRRRRRR!

[harpsinth]

@rwocmo

It´s seems to be a Neupert "modernized" harpsichord... the action is very easy to control and the performance is made easier....the wood noise you hear are due

to the player´s "pianistic" force on keyboard and plectra. This instrument sounds

so bad that people not acquainted witth the "historic instruments" start to attack or make jokes with the harpsichord and it´s music...

[susumu07]

@harpsinth

True.... real historically accurate harpsichords sound way better than this thing. Have a lot more feeling in their sound too. One reason is that these 1960s "revival" harpsichords were essentially plucked pianos. They used very heavy wire under super-high tension like a piano. Real harpsichords use much thinner wire and not wound so tightly, hence there is more vibration and it doesn't sound so "plunky".

[SilversTears]

This harpsichord sounds quite old and in dire need of retuning/repair. If he had used a better instrument, I think the songs would sound better.

[yt033059]

Perhaps it'd be better if you didn't bother to listen to what Gould was trying to say and how he's saying it. Why not send him a few bucks and have it fixed so your delicate ears will not be assaulted.

[Renshen1957]

The Harpsichord is actually a new instrument at the time of recording . Quite possibly the combination of close miking and Gould's Piano technique (the jack's are striking the jackrail quite violently) give the impression of the Harpsichord's "dire need of" repair.

[Sashomei]

3 i think?!

[Theonedue]

Near the end how many voices are there?

[fagottist]

@Theonedue

either three or four

[AsturiasGuitar]

Three. I play the same peice.

[talonboy5432]

Bach definitely sounds better on a harpsichord since the volume levels of all the voices are equal...

[ragtimest]

this is awsome lol his singing =P

[bersa888]

Gould always tried new approaches. He was no harpsichordist - although better than some ;-) a better instrument would have worked better, though. This one has a terrible sound...

[polymath7]

@bersa888

Hello. I remember you as someone whose comments stand out as particularly astute.

When you say "He was no harpsichordist" do you mean in terms of technique or aesthetic sensibility? Is it simply that he doesn't fully succeed in adjusting to the action of the harpsichord, or that, more abstractly and elusively, he just lacks the right "touch"?

What is it exactly that most prevents proficiency on the one instrument from translating directly to the other?

[gabrielRAMONE]

a person who says Glenn Gould's Bach performances are worse than someone else's, is mentally retarded.

[Stehnz]

thats not a smart comment

[gabrielRAMONE]

16 thumbs up for me =)

[123coolmik]

@gabrielRAMONE yes, you are right. thanks for pointing that out.

[Necromundi]

This video is just so amazing, Glenn Gould was a God amongst piano/harpsichord players.

Just a small notion/question,

The first 3:40 is the Prelude

And from there on its the Fugue right?

From 3:40 till the end is pure ecstasy.

Oh and btw, what is that b&w clip the first few seconds?

[ohlordbabyjesus]

He's fucking Glenn Gould. He can make whatever fucking face he wants and you'll damn well enjoy it.

[barrigudo00]

I see,,,

[lightmyfire90]

good for you

[ohlordbabyjesus]

Well you fucking should. He's like the Chuck Norris of piano players.

[lightmyfire90]

ah......... no i dont

[ohlordbabyjesus]

well then you shall incur his wrath.

[lightmyfire90]

mmm.....

[AndreasLuna]

The internet labels you ingorant

[lightmyfire90]

ahhh really dont care

[Terrdemarzielle]

@ohlordbabyjesus unlike our dear friend Mr.Lang Lang, who makes many different faces and we do not enjoy any of them.