A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations, 1955 & 1981

by Glenn Gould

Overview

The career of the singular and idiosyncratic pianist Glenn Gould is probably best defined by his two recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations. The first, his major-label debut recorded in 1955, was Gould's breakthrough. A brashly virtuosic performance, it blew the doors off the established notions of playing Bach and catapulted the pianist into superstardom. The second, recorded shortly before his death in 1982, finds a more deliberate Gould giving a poised, introspective reading of the work that brilliantly articulates its emotional intensity. A STATE OF WONDER offers these legendary recordings in remastered versions along with a third disc of outtakes from the 1955 sessions and Gould's carefully scripted final radio "interview." The side-by-side comparison afforded by this excellent package makes for a fascinating listening experience. The two versions are vastly different but both bear the unmistakable stamp of the iconoclastic pianist's characteristic clarity, precision, and dedication. Each could easily be considered a quintessential performance. The remastering is of particular value to the later recording, rescuing it from the unfavorable sound quality of primitive digital technology. This elegantly produced set is a fitting tribute to a remarkable and individualistic artist. It deserves a place on any music lover's shelf.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/03/2002
Label:	Sony Classical
UPC:	0696998770324
Rank:	61597

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~1. Aria
2. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~2. Variation 1
3. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~3. Variation 2
4. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~4. Variation 3. Canon on the unison
5. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~5. Variation 4
6. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~6. Variation 5
7. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~7. Variation 6. Canon on the second
8. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~8. Variation 7
9. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~9. Variation 8
10. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~10. Variation 9. Canon on the third
11. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~11. Variation 10. Fughetta
12. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~12. Variation 11
13. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~13. Variation 12. Canon on the fourth
14. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~14. Variation 13
15. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~15. Variation 14
16. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~16. Variation 15. Canon on the fifth
17. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~17. Variation 16. Overture
18. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~18. Variation 17
19. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~19. Variation 18. Canon on the sixth
20. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~20. Variation 19
21. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~21. Variation 20
22. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~22. Variation 21. Canon on the seventh
23. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~23. Variation 22. Alla breve
24. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~24. Variation 23
25. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~25. Variation 24. Canon on the octave
26. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~26. Variation 25
27. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~27. Variation 26
28. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~28. Variation 27. Canon on the ninth
29. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~29. Variation 28
30. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~30. Variation 29
31. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~31. Variation 30. Quodlibet
32. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~32. Aria da capo

Disc 2

33. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~1. Aria
34. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~2. Variation 1
35. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~3. Variation 2
36. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~4. Variation 3. Canon on the unison
37. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~5. Variation 4
38. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~6. Variation 5
39. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~7. Variation 6. Canon on the second
40. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~8. Variation 7
41. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~9. Variation 8
42. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~10. Variation 9. Canon on the third
43. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~11. Variation 10. Fughetta
44. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~12. Variation 11
45. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~13. Variation 12. Canon on the fourth
46. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~14. Variation 13
47. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~15. Variation 14
48. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~16. Variation 15. Canon on the fifth
49. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~17. Variation 16. Overture
50. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~18. Variation 17
51. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~19. Variation 18. Canon on the sixth
52. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~20. Variation 19
53. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~21. Variation 20
54. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~22. Variation 21. Canon on the seventh
55. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~23. Variation 22. Alla breve
56. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~24. Variation 23
57. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~25. Variation 24. Canon on the octave
58. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~26. Variation 25
59. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~27. Variation 26
60. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~28. Variation 27. Canon on the ninth
61. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~29. Variation 28
62. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~30. Variation 29
63. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~31. Variation 30. Quodlibet
64. Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-¿¿bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9)~32. Aria da capo

Disc 3

65. Glenn Gould discusses his performances of the Goldberg Variations with Tim Page (Interview)
66. Studio Outtakes from the 1955 Goldberg Variations Recording Session

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Glenn Gould   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Glenn Gould   Original Session Producer,Interviewee,Liner Notes
Dan Weiner   Photography
Tim Page   Interviewer,Liner Notes,Project Consultant
Lisa Sparagano   Package Design
Samuel H. Carter   Original Session Producer
Howard H. Scott   Original Session Producer
Louise de la Fuente   Reissue Producer,Liner Notes
Robert C. Ragsdale   Photography
Mark Burdett   Art Direction
Steve Berkowitz   A&R
Andreas K.W. Meyer   Engineer
Don Hunstein   Photography
Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
Eugene Smith   Photography