Glenn Gould (Toronto, Canada 1932-1982) was a Canadian pianist most known f… Read Full Bio ↴Glenn Gould (Toronto, Canada 1932-1982) was a Canadian pianist most known for his interpretations of baroque keyboard music, particularly the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Gould's first performance to receive widespread attention was his 1955 recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations. His speed, dexterity and tone revolutionized the understanding of this piece and it became inextricably linked with Gould for the remainder of his life. His final recording, in 1981, was also of the Goldberg Variations -- a much more studied and reflective interpretation of the work.
Gould was also known for his uncommon views regarding the value of recorded performances vs. live performances (he stopped performing live in 1964), and regarding some canonical composers (particularly Mozart, whom he referred to as a 'mediocre composer'). Later in his life Gould also became known for his work as a radio documentarian with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (a statue of Gould can be found outside the CBC headquarters in Gould's hometown of Toronto).
Gould's first performance to receive widespread attention was his 1955 recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations. His speed, dexterity and tone revolutionized the understanding of this piece and it became inextricably linked with Gould for the remainder of his life. His final recording, in 1981, was also of the Goldberg Variations -- a much more studied and reflective interpretation of the work.
Gould was also known for his uncommon views regarding the value of recorded performances vs. live performances (he stopped performing live in 1964), and regarding some canonical composers (particularly Mozart, whom he referred to as a 'mediocre composer'). Later in his life Gould also became known for his work as a radio documentarian with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (a statue of Gould can be found outside the CBC headquarters in Gould's hometown of Toronto).
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Goldberg-Variationen BWV 988: Aria da capo
Glenn Gould Lyrics
No lyrics text found for this track.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
Brian Anderson
I have listened to both the 1955 and 1981 versions many times. It's music written and played like a prayer!
mr Banks
Creo que Bach, se acerco al oído de Gould y le dijo: - Glenn, amigo mío, esto se toca así, quiero que lo toques por mi, pues yo ya no lo puedo tocar. Y Gould lo toca como los ángeles, nadie toca esta pieza igual que él, no se deja nada. perfecto
Orlando Andrés Gómez
Me gusta mucho más Andras Schiff......
Blue
No podría haber sido mejor expresado, lo resume todo.
Ian McKinnon
The purity of tone is incredible. We hear only the music and not the instrument, Bach and not an interpretation. Only Gould can produce an Aria that sounds so blissfully pure and perfect.
The Affable Grump
HAYAO LEONE This recording is actually slightly quicker than many other people's performances of this piece, including his own 1955 recording which many seem to state is the quicker of the two.
Jayanta Giovanni Simoni
HAYAO LEONE I' ve heard a lot of GV, and I think this is just perfect. The Aria has his perfect breathe
jmoreno600
@The Affable Grump The 1955 Aria is 1 minute 56 seconds, while the 1981 Aria is 3 minutes and 5 seconds.
Disconnectyourself
Actually if you listen closely, you can hear Gould humming over Bach. 😄
rondog540
@The Affable Grump not even close, what are you talking about