Glenn Gould – Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 – (Zenph Re-Performance)

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Glenn Gould’s debut album of Bach’s Goldberg Variations was recorded in June 1955. The Columbia LP quickly became one of the most revered piano recordings ever made and Gould became the most famous classical artist of the day. His exciting, unorthodox new way of playing Bach left listeners awestruck and critics around the world hailing him as a genius. But until recently this iconic album was limited by the dated recording technology of its time.

On September 25, 2006, history was made again. Zenph Studios recorded its debut re-performance® to standing ovations in the CBC’s famed Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. The date would have been Glenn Gould’s 74th birthday, and what a gift Zenph created to give his fans.

The Zenph re-performance is a revelation in its clarity, depth, and vibrancy. Gould seems to play at an almost inhuman speed and yet with complete accuracy. The 30 variations dazzle the listener with their inventiveness and variety. As music historian and Gould biographer Kevin Bazzana writes in the CD’s liner notes, “Here, albeit with his trademark vocalizing no longer accompanying the performance, Gould’s musical personality is unquestionably present…”

Audio Samples:

  1. Aria –
  2. Variation 1 a 1 Clav –
  3. Variation 2 a 1 Clav –
  4. Variation 3 a 1 Clav. Canone all’Unisono –
  5. Variation 4 a 1 Clav –
  6. Variation 5 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav –
  7. Variation 6 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Seconda –
  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 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Quinta. Andante –
  17. Variation 16 a 1 Clav. Overture –
  18. Variation 17 a 2 Clav –
  19. Variation 18 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Sesta –
  20. Variation 19 a 1 Clav –
  21. Variation 20 a 2 Clav –
  22. Variation 21 Canone alla Settima –
  23. Variation 22 a 1 Clav. Alla breve –
  24. Variation 23 a 2 Clav –
  25. Variation 24 a 1 Clav. Canone all’ Ottava –
  26. Variation 25 a 2 Clav –
  27. Variation 26 a 2 Clav –
  28. Variation 27 a 2 Clav. Canone alla Nona –
  29. Variation 28 a 2 Clav –
  30. Variation 29 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav –
  31. Variation 30 a 1 Clav. Quodlibet –
  32. Aria da capo –