Glenn Gould - Bach Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 [Aria - 11]

Pianist: Glenn Gould (1932 - 1982)
Photos: All rights reserved to Life magazine

The majority of the photos were taken during the recording sessions for Gould's 1955 debut recording of the Goldbergs.

While I realize the "Gouldbergs" are in abundant supply here on YouTube, I felt I would give a rendition of my own. I wanted to do something in tribute of Glenn, and I couldn't come up with a better idea than the Goldbergs. I hope they capture as many new listeners as old, and perhaps make fans for Bach and Gould alike.

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Music

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• BWV 988 Aria 11

[MrBostac]

Could somebody please help me. I am new to classical. Is this a couple of different pieces together? The part between the 1st and 2nd minute is fantastic. Is there a complete piece or actual title to that part? Thank you in advance for any help.

[amadeus9man]

@MrBostac I'm glad you're enjoing this. The first part is the Aria to the Goldberg Variations, and it works as a theme that all of the following pieces play off of.

Cheers, Brad

[pandafiu]

This 1955 version sounds better than the very same recording I have on disc from Sony.... Is it a recently remastered version?

[amadeus9man]

@pandafiu This version is from the State of Wonder set featuring the 1955 & 1981 recordings, both of which were remastered. I think it came out around 2002 or so.

[Zenphavd]

@amadeus9man

Have you guys ever heard the Zenph/Sony Re-Performance of this? It's a technology company that figured out how to recreate the performance but with modern recording equipment.

[amadeus9man]

@Zenphavd I haven't, but I'm one of those people who don't mind a little background noise from an older LP. I don't even mind the boxy sound, which adds to the feeling of the piece for me. It is just one more thing that makes it different from the other recordings. I know this might be thought weird.

[Theonedue]

Why the fuck is "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" under suggested videos?

[MrFerminleon]

The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, is a work for harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of an aria and a set of 30 variations. First published in 1741, the work is considered to be one of the most important examples of variation form. The Variations are named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may have been the first performer.(I appreciate Wikipaedia's contributions in the descriptions on previous comment)

[eleninamyers]

@Bludgeoned2DEATH2 Historically speaking he was a baroque composer. But Bach's music really transcends any one era or epoch. To me he sounds more modern than a lot of modern works. It's timeless stuff :)

[Bludgeoned2DEATH2]

@MrBostac This isn't classical, it's baroque. Just about everything bach ever composed is baroque. This whole thing called the "Goldberg Variations" is 30 different pieces to this one grand masterpiece. :)

[emperorcool97219]

@MrBostac According to legend, Bach composed these pieces for a patron who had trouble sleeping. The idea was to write a work of sufficient length and quality which could ease the patron's sleepless nights. All of the variations (there are 30) are based upon the Aria, which is played first. So, yes, this is one piece in a sense, part of a set of music called Theme & Variations, which was a relatively popular classical/baroque/romantic genre.

[MsBlu81]

straordinario!



[magmatros]

@Zenphavd Do you have a link to those? I like the '81 aria the best, and I also don't mind background noise... in fact it gives me chills to hear gould coughing and crooning along. that said I'd likr to hear the zenph recording