A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)

Most of us may remember the "perfect music forever" marketing that introduced CDs 25 years ago... those of us with working ears pretty quickly dismissed it for the hype it was... I've got both the '55 and '81 versions and now this release. I have NO regrets re the performance (of course) nor the sonics. My point is that I find it hard to believe that no one at what was then Columbia realized the analoge safety tape sounded so much better than the digital recording. More likely, someone did, but the idea of releasing a new Gould Goldberg, and in digital to boot, trumped releasing it in the "old," if albeit better-sounding analoge format. Not the first time commercial considerations clouded musical decisions. Still, a big "For Shame" in having us listen to the atrocious '81 version for +20 years.

Well, after such reviews, what more is there to say? Except, don't get distracted or annoyed by Gould's humming along, that was a standard feature of his playing, he always hummed along, and it's part of the charm of having a recording of the greatest pianist ever (or certainly of the 20th century if someone wants to argue about it). There is no reason to listen to Glenn Gould unless you want your mind opened. The magic here is not Gould, it's Gould's two different interpretations of Bach, who was certainly the most spiritual of any composers.

For those of us who don't know anything about music, except for what it says to us, personally, there is no reason to buy this, unless you want to have an epiphany. If you want the same thrill in classical parlance as the first time you ever heard Geddy Lee sing, or Joe Satriani play, you'll want to by this recording.

Having the two very different recordings in one package has been an invaluable aid to my own attempts at playing the Goldberg Variations. Personally, I prefer Gould's 1981 performance with his more unified approach to the piece's underlying beat. The bonus CD is also great as an insight into Gould's thinking to the '81 recording. Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase, and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Gould or Bach.

Having listened to the 'Goldbergs' over many thousands of times through the years with various artists, I still keep coming back to Glenn Gould's recordings as the very best that has ever been produced and the truest to what I believe Bach had intended. I never get tired of hearing Glenn play...ever! This CD is a treasure and I highly recommend it...if you couldn't already tell.

Glenn Gould has mastered the Bach, Goldberg Variations with out a question of doubt. His playing and style is absolutely amazing. The part that spoils the whole thing for me is when he starts humming. If you listen to it with the head phones on you can hear him humming away in the back ground. It is such a shame as he spoils his own brilliant performance.