Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0696998770324 Label: Sony Product Manufacturer: Sony Number Of Discs: 3 Publisher: Sony Release Date: September 03, 2002 Ranking: 1505 Studio: Sony
Editorial Product Review:
Amazon.com: Glenn Gould's recording debut in 1955 of Bach's Goldberg Variations took the world by storm. His decidedly un-Romantic view, absolute technical skill, startling lucidity, and right-on rhythmic changes, combined with his eccentricities--audible humming, sometimes outrageously fast tempi--made him an instantly legendary pianist and elucidated Bach's music in a whole new way. Gould's final recording, 26 years later, was also of the Goldbergs. It's a more relaxed, sometimes much slower, more inward reading (although still very much his own, complete with oddly ferocious attacks and accents), in which he offers repeats of the first half of 15 of the Variations. Both performances are glorious, each in its own way, and this luxurious new set of three CDs is entertaining, a joy to hear, and revelatory; it belongs in any music lover's collection. The third CD is devoted to outtakes and chatter from recording sessions. At one point, Gould improvises 'God Save the King' and exhibits how it turns into 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' And a long interview with critic Tim Page offers great insight into Gould's weird humor and unique outlook. A must-have collection. --Robert Levine
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Customer Rating: - Really, so NO ONE in 1981 realized the analog tapes sounder better?
Most of us may remember the "perfect music forever" marketing that introduced CDs 25 years ago... those of us with working ears pretty quickly dismissed it for the hype it was... I've got both the '55 and '81 versions and now this release. I have NO regrets re the performance (of course) nor the sonics. My point is that I find it hard to believe that no one at what was then Columbia realized the analoge safety tape sounded so much better than the digital recording. More likely, someone did, but the idea of releasing a new Gould Goldberg, and in digital to boot, trumped releasing it in the "old," if albeit better-sounding analoge format. Not the first time commercial considerations clouded musical decisions. Still, a big "For Shame" in having us listen to the atrocious '81 version for +20 years.
Customer Rating: - No reason for this review, unless you listen to rock
Well, after such reviews, what more is there to say? Except, don't get distracted or annoyed by Gould's humming along, that was a standard feature of his playing, he always hummed along, and it's part of the charm of having a recording of the greatest pianist ever (or certainly of the 20th century if someone wants to argue about it). There is no reason to listen to Glenn Gould unless you want your mind opened. The magic here is not Gould, it's Gould's two different interpretations of Bach, who was certainly the most spiritual of any composers.
For those of us who don't know anything about music, except for what it says to us, personally, there is no reason to buy this, unless you want to have an epiphany. If you want the same thrill in classical parlance as the first time you ever heard Geddy Lee sing, or Joe Satriani play, you'll want to by this recording.
Customer Rating: - A State of Wonder
Having the two very different recordings in one package has been an invaluable aid to my own attempts at playing the Goldberg Variations. Personally, I prefer Gould's 1981 performance with his more unified approach to the piece's underlying beat. The bonus CD is also great as an insight into Gould's thinking to the '81 recording. Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase, and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Gould or Bach.
Customer Rating: - HANDS DOWN, THE BEST THERE IS!
Having listened to the 'Goldbergs' over many thousands of times through the years with various artists, I still keep coming back to Glenn Gould's recordings as the very best that has ever been produced and the truest to what I believe Bach had intended. I never get tired of hearing Glenn play...ever! This CD is a treasure and I highly recommend it...if you couldn't already tell.
Sales of semiconductors in November indicate that consumer products such as LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs, digital music players, and other devices sold well during the holidays, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said Monday.
November chip sales rose 2.3 percent year-on-year to $23.1 billion, the SIA said.
Unit demand has far outpaced last year. But falling chip prices have hurt industry revenue, the chip association said. For example, DRAM (dynamic RAM) bit shipments grew 25 percent in the three months through mid-December, but average selling prices have declined 20 percent over the same period.
The association also noted that rising energy prices and concerns about the sub-prime lending issue in the U.S. do not appear to have had a significant impact on consumer spending for the holidays, the SIA said. The group reiterated its forecast that worldwide semiconductor sales will reach a new record in 2007. But it will take a stronger than expected December selling season to reach the 3.8 percent growth goal the group had forecast earlier this year, the SIA said.
Investment banking firm Credit Suisse was not as optimistic as the SIA.
The November data was below normal seasonal trends, noted analyst John Pitzer, in a report on Monday. Even if December reaches its normal seasonal growth, 2007 industry revenue will only reach $255.7 billion, up 3.2 percent over last year. The growth percentage would fall short of the SIA's 3.8 percent target.
The slow November prompted Credit Suisse to lower its 2008 chip industry revenue forecast to 9.4 percent year-on-year growth, down from a previous target of 13 percent.
Editor Annalee Newitz reveals the inspiration for the futurism-focused site's name, shares her obsession with the scientifically taboo and tells why sci-fi is going mainstream.
- Really, so NO ONE in 1981 realized the analog tapes sounder better?
