Six Partitas for Piano (Glenn Gould)

[Bill (Unique as my name)]

I've been soaking in them for the past two days. I want more of
this. I want a lot more.

Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

[Ben Crick]

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

Gould hums.

Ben

[Peabody]

Ben Crick says...

Post by Ben Crick

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I
usually prefer Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these
very nicely.

Gould hums.

Yes, but it's a well-tempered hum.

Well I still like the harpsichord version by Trevor Pinnock.

[Thomas Wood]

Post by Ben Crick

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

Gould hums.

True, but totally irrelevent. The Partitas are probably his greatest
recordings, especially #5.

Mario Tipo's recording is completely different -- poetic and almost
Romantic -- but also very distinctive.

On harpsichord, I like Staier/Harmonia Mundi.

Tom Wood

[Bill (Unique as my name)]

Post by Thomas Wood

Post by Ben Crick

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

Gould hums.

True, but totally irrelevent. The Partitas are probably his greatest
recordings, especially #5.
Mario Tipo's recording is completely different -- poetic and almost
Romantic -- but also very distinctive.
On harpsichord, I like Staier/Harmonia Mundi.
Tom Wood

My ear strangely draws me toward harpsicord with Bach's keyboard
offerings, but I haven't taken the full plunge yet. I listened to
some samples of Lucy Carolan's Partitas after reading her commentaries
on the work and being impressed with her writing. (I'm a layperson
with music analysis.) Her fingerplay appears disciplined yet lively,
and her instrument sounds rich. But I didn't want to dish out the
money until I heard more reviews. So I downloaded Angela Hewitt's
album. God forgive me, but I find it no more satisfying than her
presentation of The French Suites. Not that she is horrible, but
something is there in her play that is more distracting than Gould's
roars. Being weaned on Gould ruins everything. I must bow to his
masterful skill, but he shuffles me along with the air of a scholarly
pedant who decides what is important for me to hear rather than what
my novice ear wants to enjoy. I'm a rebellious student, but I run
along believing he is right even if he is saying that this is the most
profoundly great music your ears will ever hear, and I'm going to show
you why, whether you like it or not. He's a taskmaster, but I can't
get past him. Gould not only plants the music in my ears, he pokes me
in the gut with it as if to declare there is more to Bach's music than
just a pretty sound. I guess before I go for the harpsicord, I will
have to find a Gould recording. But I will check out the others
recommended. Thank you, Tom

[Imethisguy]

Post by Ben Crick

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

Gould hums.
Ben

You can always try this:
http://www.unpronounceable.com/gould/

John M.

[Ben Crick]

Post by Imethisguy
http://www.unpronounceable.com/gould/

Thanks. I prefer the Goldberg Variations to the Gouldberg variations.

Ben

[Ioannis]

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
I've been soaking in them for the past two days. I want more of
this. I want a lot more.
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

There's too much Gouldian influence on Schiff to make a real difference, imo.
Try Anrdei Gavrilov and for a more lyrical interpretation George Demus.

My favorite is also Gould, but he can be somewhat unpredictable. For example,
he romaticises too much Partita's 6 opening (Toccata) and he goes through the
Air very loudly and fast. The Sarabande and Gigue are excellent.

On the other hand, I haven't found anybody playing Partita 5 so perfectly,
especially the Praeambulum.

[jack freeman]

Post by Bill (Unique as my name)
I've been soaking in them for the past two days. I want more of
this. I want a lot more.
Any comments on other pianists work on the partitas? I usually prefer
Schiff with Bach, but Gould nails these very nicely.

If you can find them, check out Roslyn Tureck's partitas.

She finds ALL the poetry in that music.