A Comparison of 3 Interpretations of Bach's BWV 848 ("Prelude and Fugue in C# major" of The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1). Played by (in alphabetical order): Glenn Gould, Sviatoslav Richter, Andras Schiff. Let's compare them.
I can't believe I'm getting into an argument over Bach interpretations on youtube, but it looks like it's happening. A lot of people are bashing Schiff here, while he is the only one who doesn't play the prelude ridiculously fast. Playing it fast is fun and sounds interesting but completely destroys the emotion of it, it also doesn't do justice to the harmony as you can barely hear a lot of the subtle harmony in the piece. However I think Schiff plays the piece beautiful and tactfully.
@josephknecht agreed about the goldbergs...the final aria is simply a reprise of the opening, but something about it and the way gould plays it makes me weak...
@rssfhs Interesting, since I find Gould's playing extremely 'moving'. His Goldberg Variations sometimes brings me to tears at the final repetition of the Aria. After listening to his performances I have a hard time even listening to other Bach recordings as they are either too imprecise, blurry, or just plain uninteresting. Gould's mastery of counterpoint and elucidating each unique voice is unmatched.
@quihenry Of course Gould is a legendary musician! I'm not disputing that fact at all. He is a genius! All I'm saying is that for me, his playing is more technically thrilling and unique than moving.
I can't believe I'm getting into an argument over Bach interpretations on youtube, but it looks like it's happening. A lot of people are bashing Schiff here, while he is the only one who doesn't play the prelude ridiculously fast. Playing it fast is fun and sounds interesting but completely destroys the emotion of it, it also doesn't do justice to the harmony as you can barely hear a lot of the subtle harmony in the piece. However I think Schiff plays the piece beautiful and tactfully.
GardenShack 2 weeks ago
i hate schiff
humpert 2 months ago
@josephknecht agreed about the goldbergs...the final aria is simply a reprise of the opening, but something about it and the way gould plays it makes me weak...
fledgehog 2 months ago
richter the best on this one.
humpert 4 months ago
@KABRIS1 I agree with you!
pianogus 4 months ago
@rssfhs Interesting, since I find Gould's playing extremely 'moving'. His Goldberg Variations sometimes brings me to tears at the final repetition of the Aria. After listening to his performances I have a hard time even listening to other Bach recordings as they are either too imprecise, blurry, or just plain uninteresting. Gould's mastery of counterpoint and elucidating each unique voice is unmatched.
josephknecht 4 months ago
simplicity of CG, emotional fluency of SR, and mellowness of AS.
Pollinikrys 7 months ago
Thank you for uploading this video, I loved it, and it helped me to choose the next CD I will buy.
alexisbarrerao1 7 months ago
What's the sense of this comparissons???
leonardpater 1 year ago
@quihenry Of course Gould is a legendary musician! I'm not disputing that fact at all. He is a genius! All I'm saying is that for me, his playing is more technically thrilling and unique than moving.
rssfhs 1 year ago