Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach :: Glenn Gould Plays Bach & Scarlatti

BWV 974

V. Vo | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When you look at the pieces that are in this CD, you might think that these were leftovers. Yet, this CD has one of the most stunning pieces that I think Glenn Gould has ever recorded.The Concerto in d after A. Marcello, BWV 974 is not one of Bach's more popular and well-known keyboard works. Yet in the hands of Glenn Gould, it is played with a sincerity that is completely profound. Listening to the second movement of this "concerto" has to be one of the moving experiences that I ever had. It is undoubtedly one of the best in the Glenn Gould discography. Also, after hearing the three Scarlatti sonatas, you'll wonder why he didn't record more of them. It's played with a childish glee that is a joy to listen to. The L. 413 sonata is piece that you'll listen to repeatedly.Alas, the "infamous" version of the Chromatic Fantasy is in this CD as well. It's not a horrible interpretation like what most people tend to say, but you wonder what in the world Glenn Gould was doing with his left hand. Overall, the BWV 974 alone makes this CD worth the purchase. It is a stunning recording."

Mixed bag of Gould is both delightful and maddening

Molly the Cat | the USA | 08/13/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very mixed bag of Glenn Gould's miscellaneous recordings, some of which appeared on his "Silver Jubilee" album in 1980, some of which had stayed in the vault until this release fifteen years after his death. Most of the J.S. Bach works are good (BWV 974 is particularly splendid), the Scarlatti not bad, the Emanuel Bach sonata rather bizarre (what kind of eccentric arpeggio is that first chord in movement one???), and the "Chromatic Fantasy" BWV 903 and the BWV 906 Fantasy are in my opinion disasters. Incidentally, I can see why the previous reviewer was confused about BWV 903; the liner notes are, as he says, not all that clear regarding the fugue (though the jewel case correctly lists only the fantasy as included on the CD); it is probable that Gould never did record the fugue, as BWV 903 is a work which he loudly deplored and loathed. BWV 906, however, does say on the CD's track list "Fantasy (and Fugue)," rather nonsensically as this fugue does not appear, either--but there the reason is probably that Bach's fugue is unfinished (or, as Spitta thought, incompletely preserved), breaking off after 40+ bars, so Gould, like most artists, simply omitted it.One of the oddest unexplained features of this disk is the fact that the Gould "Italian Concerto" is his 1959 version, rather than his c. 1980 version which has never yet been released to my knowledge (and which would make more sense on a disk with other "first releases"). Since the liner notes and some Gould bios I've read criticize the later recording as a total failure, one can only assume that it was so bad that Sony did not dare to dishonor Gould's memory by releasing it! Gould fans will not be disappointed by this disk, nor will those interested in a justly-celebrated great pianist. But as for those eccentricities . . . you've now been warned!"

Be warned there are shortcomings, but also be prepared for b

Patrick D. Goonan | Pleasanton, CA | 05/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are some shortcomings to this album and they are pointed out by other reviewers. However, there are gems present here that continue to dazzle long after Glenn Gould's untimely death.



I was particularly moved by BWV 974, especially the second movement. I would happily pay the entire price of this album just to have this particular recording.



As everyone knows, Glenn Gould was eccentric and some of his interpretations of Bach are very unconventional. However, his intensity jumps out at the listener and he is often as dazzling as he is eccentric.



Considering that much of this music was not recorded on piano very often before Glenn Gould came around, I have to acknowledge his contribution to grabbing people's attention. He still continues to do this long after his death, which I think is a testimony to his brilliance.



If you are not a Glenn Gould fan or you are looking for more standard interpretations, this may not be for you. However, if you are looking for a fascinating musical odyssey that is at times quite unconventional, then you might be very happy with this album.



You can certainly get a feel for the music from the samples above. If you listen to them and are still intrigued, I don't think you will be disappointed even with the Chromatic Fantasy. It's an unusual interpretation, but what can you expect from guy who wears winter gloves on the cover of the album and didn't even want to record this piece in the first place - EVER!"