Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Rosen :: Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988 / Charles Rosen

Methodical and sweet

Mark Grindell | Shipley,West Yorkshire | 08/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have heard this version, and the Glenn Gould version. It's interesting that Glenn himself was not too sure about his specific performance on that day, and it's a short recording (albeit very enjoyable). Rosen is a different kettle of fish, playing each piece very carefully, rather than charging through (which Glennn probably does a wee bit).I first heard this in quite dramatic circumstances, so rather than doing a Leonard Bernstein type of phrase by phrase analysis, I'll tell you how I first encountered the piece.Way back, in fact in 1992, my wife and I and our three kids were driving back from a weeks holiday in the southern part of Western Australia. It was in the Autumn, and we had decided to drive back in the dark. The local radio stations in the south were kind of fun to listen to, but we ended up tuned to the ABC station, which was the longest lasting one - as you drive away from a town because of the almighty distances involved, there is little or no coverage. We lost all signal from about six oclock into twilight.After having stopped about two roadhouses for food and some tea, the kids were tired, and we still had miles to go to Perth. Practically everyone was asleep in the back and I was a bit worried about keeping up the concentration with the tiny amount of traffic, a very dim moon, and only occasional farming towns for interest.I thought I was dreaming at first. There was just the hint of piano music. It didn't occur to me that it would have to have been coming from the radio at first. It had been hours since there was anything at all. Yet there it was, varying quite a bit as we took one hill after another, sometime fading right away into static again.I couldn't quite place the melody, but it was extraordinarily captivating. I woke up my wife to tell her that something really good was on the radio.It turned out to be the Goldberg Variations, actually played by Charles Rosen... it was a bit like a story, unfolding gradually, told very well. Like a lot of Bach, you can never quite predict what is going to follow, but the result was deightful and I wish it could have gone on for longer. I must be the only person who actually associates this German composer with the smell of Eucalyptus trees, and the other smells of a hot Australian night, but there he was, travelling with us, all down the road. I'm very glad I heard this piece, and as the years have passed I've found it even better.Rosen picks up a lot of structure that Glenn Gould perhaps leaves behind a little bit. He also manages to see those parts of the composition that contain the tremendous energy and joy that is the great secret in much of Bach's music - that is no doubt a great surprise to those who encounter him in an academic setting. This music is full of light and joy, and I would very much recommend it."

I used to have a half dozen versions of this work...

MG Nagy | 07/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got a promotional copy of this disc when it came out in 1992. It was all I listened to for a week, providing a nice soundtrack to my giving away all my other recordings of the Goldberg. Glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks the Gould and Tureck recordings are overrated.This recording works on so many levels, as others have pointed out, with what seems to me to be the correct tempo, amount of dexterity applied, and virtuosity displayed. That is to say, Rosen lets the work breathe, and it breathes on its own terms. Yes there are some bum notes, but this is the warmest, most organic performance of this work I've yet to hear.While this is a reference disc (with respect to performance), it is a little lacking on the technical (recording) side. There is a weird ambience to the recording (mic placement?), maybe a little compressed. It sounds like the AC goes on and off a couple of times during the recording. In general, definition is a little soft. Hopefully, Sony will get around to a SBM re-issue of this disc."

Between Gould & Tureck Is Joy

kek5 | Westerville, Ohio USA | 01/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent set of Goldberg Variations from Charles Rosen. At 75 minutes it falls nicely between Gould (38) and Tureck (90) in terms of time and overall tempo. Very straightforward and well played...an artist who is thoughtful but unobtrusive. I take this one over either Gould or Tureck (I know-heresy!)."