Glenn Gould – Bach: The Goldberg Variations [One-Step][Mono] (Vinil 180g, LP)

“Bach: The Goldberg Variations” is the debut album by Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. Released in 1956, the recording became one of the most famous piano recordings of all time. The sales figures were “astonishing” for a classical album: by the time of Gould’s death in 1982, more than 100,000 copies had been sold. At the time of its release, Bach’s Goldberg Variations – a collection of 30 contrapuntal variations that begin and end with an aria – were not part of the standard piano repertoire. The work is considered technically demanding, as it occasionally requires awkward hand crossings when played on the piano. Gould’s interpretation established the Goldberg Variations in the contemporary classical repertoire and made him an internationally renowned pianist almost “overnight.”

Fabio Camorani of AudioNautes writes about the original recording: “This version of the ‘Aria mit verschiedenen Veränderungen vors Clavicimbal mit 2 Manualen’ (better known as The Goldberg Variations) is not actually a perfect recording. Yet, there is something absolutely magical about it. Certainly a bit comes directly from Bach, whose compositions I adore each and every time. Gould’s particular touch surely adds something more and so does his fast and innovative reading. Maybe the mono recording in the amazing Columbia studio also put something in. What I do know is that the result is something unique and magical… I would call it a perfect imperfect vision.”

To mark the album’s 70th anniversary, AudioNautes Recordings is honoring “Bach: The Goldberg Variations” with a sonically outstanding LP, limited to 475 numbered copies. The reissue was pressed by Optimal Media on 180-gram vinyl using the sonically superior One-Step process, cut at 33 RPM by Scott Hull (Masterdisk), and includes a 4-page booklet with liner notes as well as a signed certificate from Fabio Camorani. This sonically impressive remastering involves no intermediate digital steps and is based on an old safety copy of the original mono master tape. The new edition of AudioNautes demonstrates just how fantastic mono recordings can sound when they’ve been remastered specifically for playback with modern stereo cartridges.

MUSICIANS

Glenn Gould: piano

We recommend the use of „L’Art du Son” LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Lista pieselor

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): “The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988”

Side A
1.    Aria
2.    Variation 1 A 1 Clav.
3.    Variation 2 A 1 Clav.
4.    Variation 3 A 1 Clav. Canone All’ Unisuono
5.    Variation 4 A 1 Ovvero 2 Clav.
6.    Variation 5 A 1 Clav. Canone Alla Seconda
7.    Variation 6 A 1 Clav.
8.    Variation 7 A 1 Ovvero 2 Clav.
9.    Variation 8 A 2 Clav.
10.    Variation 9 A 1 Clav. Canone Alla Terza
11.    Variation 10 A 1 Clav. Fughetta
12.    Variation 11 A 2 Clav.
13.    Variation 12 Canone Alla Quarta
14.    Variation 13 A 2 Clav.
15.    Variation 14 A 2 Clav.
16.    Variation 15 Clav. Canone Alla Quinta. Andante
17.    Variation 16 Ouverture A 1 Clav.
18.    Variation 17 A 2 Clav.
19.    Variation 18 Canone Alla Sesta A 1 Clav.

Side B
1.    Variation 19 A 1 Clav.
2.    Variation 20 A 2 Clav.
3.    Variation 21 Canone Alla Settima
4.    Variation 22 Alla Breve A 1 Clav.
5.    Variation 23 A 2 Clav.
6.    Variation 24 Canone All’ Ottava A 1 Clav.
7.    Variation 25 A 2 Clav.
8.    Variation 26 A 2 Clav.
9.    Variation 27 Canone Alla Nona
10.    Variation 28 A 2 Clav.
11.    Variation 29 A 1 Ovvero 2 Clav.
12.    Variation 30 A 1 Clav. Quodlibet
13.    Aria Da Capo