Glenn Gould Goldberg Variations 1955 & 1981: 0 - Aria

A comparison of Gould's 1955 and 1981 recordings of the Goldberg Variations Aria, and commentary on the two recordings by Gould and Tim Page.

The next part (comparison of Var 1) is up here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQk1bQPXbOE

Category:

Music

Tags:

• baroque
• bach
• classical
• glenn
• gould
• goldberg
• variations
• aria

[sam0xin]

Bach is Genius,Goldberg V-s are 1 of Wonders of the World & Glen Gould was born to perform it ! .

1955 is brilliant ...but 1981 + wisdom !

[Ellinidara]

Start and sad end of magnificent,incredible,spectac­ular genius like fabulous Glenn....

[teachertonya]

Thank you so much for posting this...it is exactly what my sould needed today! Best regards.

[lightfootosolage]

I'm going to say this even though I think I'm alone in this: I hear the same thing in both. If you look at the piece as pure energy both renditions seek to translate that spark into something audible. Like translating a thought to words. The 1955 version does so with a heart and mind unique to his evolution in 1955. In the 1981 version we hear a more skilled linguist. Its like comparing Gia Fu Feng's Tao Te Ching to Thomas Cleary's. Communication increases as the linguists understanding improves

[dfranklin70]

I imagine in my head Gould playing both of these version to Bach. Gould begins playing the 1955 version to which Bach replies, "That was perfect." Then Gould plays the 1981 version, and when Gould finishes he is met only with silence until Bach looks at Gould and says, "That was what I meant!"

[TripleRhu]

I can hear loneliness, sadness and coldness from the first recording. I don't, for the second recording. It is full of joy and warmth. Glenn Gould sure was the best interpreter of Bach. R.I.P Gould.

[KingMinosxxvi]

.......:) words i suppose

[KingMinosxxvi]

Whoever has posted this thank you . such an imaculate piece of music. the first spirit evocative of a bubbling brilliant young man freshly in tune with evolving gifts shining in youth and the cusp of genius. The second of a man in many ways well past his age, the fires flickering in the embers of ten thousand solitary nights and the decay of nervous constituion. of course the latter piece is so muchmore. as i stae out into trees blown by gale force winds i am enrapture by it to poignantly for

[Rattywotin]

We are always evolving musicaly, I think his later recording shows more passion, more humility, more understanding of himself and therefore of Bach, it is always personal and personal development

[helemisphere]

fascinating, thanks so much!

[helemisphere]

fascinating, thanks so much!

[bunnyandbandicoot]

check out the arpeggio at 0:34. 

The very definition of sublime.