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<< -- 4 -- Rex Harley ABSOLUTE CLARITY
It perhaps doesn't help that Gould himself is on record as detesting
some of the pieces he recorded. The Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D Minor,
for instance, he regarded as 'a monstrosity.' What then does he
do with it? By contrast with the majority of (harpsichord) versions, which
create a shimmering mist of notes, Gould is at his most decisive, not to
say dismissive, pounding out the staccato left hand as if to demonstrate
how banal it is. But in fact his very impatience, which makes him barge
his way through the first couple of minutes of the piece, produces the most
incredible feats of prestidigitation. This, in turn, contrasts all the more
with the subtle explorations of the succeeding passages, like a landscape
revealed in fresh light after a summer storm.
Even those pieces one might have regarded previously as slight, such
as the Concerto in D Minor after Alessandro Marcello, are made to sparkle,
and given a tautness and sinewy strength which surprises.
Aficionados will need no encouragement. New listeners will know immediately
whether their musical lives have just been changed, or whether some friend
will be receiving an extra Christmas present. But at this price anyone
who claims an interest in music should investigate. And, while they're
at it, they should also keep their eyes open for '32 Short Films
About Glenn Gould.' It is ten years since it was made, and it is
once more visiting various arts cinemas. Quirky and original, its style
matches its subject to perfection.
Copyright © 25 December 2002
Rex Harley, Cardiff, UK
J S Bach: Inventions and Sinfonias
SMK87754 REISSUE 2002 Sony Classical
Glenn Gould, piano
2-Part Invention No 1 in C BWV 772; 3-Part Invention No 1 in C BWV 787; 2-Part Invention No 2 in C minor BWV 773; 3-Part Invention No 2 in C BWV 788; 2-Part Invention No 5 in E flat BWV 776; 3-Part Invention No 5 in E flat BWV 791; 2-Part Invention No 14 in B flat BWV 785; 3-Part Invention No 14 in B flat BWV 800; 2-Part Invention No 11 in G minor BWV 782; 3-Part Invention No 11 in G minor BWV 797; 2-Part Invention No 10 in G BWV 781; 3-Part Invention No 10 in G BWV 796; 2-Part Invention No 15 in B minor BWV 786; 3-Part Invention No 15 in B minor BWV 801; 2-Part Invention No 7 in E minor BWV 778; 3-Part Invention No 7 in E minor BWV 793; 2-Part Invention No 6 in E BWV 777; 3-Part Invention No 6 in E BWV 792; 2-Part Invention No 13 in A minor BWV 784; 3-Part Invention No 13 in A minor BWV 799; 2-Part Invention No 12 in A major BWV 783; 3-Part Invention No 12 in A BWV 798; 2-Part Invention No 3 in D BWV 774; 3-Part Invention No 3 in D BWV 789; 2-Part Invention No 4 in D minor BWV775; 3-Part Invention No 4 in D minor BWV 790; 2-Part Invention No 8 in F BWV 779; 3-Part Invention No 8 in F BWV 794; 2-Part Invention No 9 in F minor BWV 780; 3-Part Invention No 9 in F minor BWV 795 |
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Bach: Italian Concerto; Chromatic Fantasy; Various Pieces
SMK87753 REISSUE 2002 Sony Classical
Glenn Gould, piano
J S Bach: Concerto No 3 in D minor (after Alessandro Marcello) BWV 974; Fugue in B minor (on a theme of Albinoni) BWV 951; Fugue in A (on a theme of Albinoni) BWV 950; Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D K430 (L463) 'Tempo di ballo'; Sonata in D minor K9 (L413) 'Pastorale'; Sonata in G K13 (L486) (Presto); C P E Bach: Sonata in A minor Wq 49 No 1 H30 'Wurttemberg'; J S Bach: Aria variata in A minor 'In the Italian Style' BWV 989; Italian Concerto in F BWV971; Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor BWV903a; Fantasia in G minor BWV917 (doubtful); Fantasia in C minor BWV919 (doubtful); Fantasia and Fugue in C minor BWV906 |
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