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Track Listings
| 1. "Goldberg Variations, BWV 988" | |||
| 2. Aria | |||
| 3. Variation 1 a 1 Clav. | |||
| 4. Variation 2 a 1 Clav. | |||
| 5. Variation 3 a 1 Clav. Canone all' Unisuono | |||
| 6. Variation 4 a 1 Clav. | |||
| 7. Variation 5 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav. | |||
| 8. Variation 6 a 1 Clav. Canone all Seconda | |||
| 9. Variation 7 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav. | |||
| 10. Variation 8 a 2 Clav. | |||
| 11. Variation 9 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Terza | |||
| 12. Variation 10 a 1 Clav. Fughetta | |||
| 13. Variation 11 a 2 Clav. | |||
| 14. Variation 12 Canone alla Quarta | |||
| 15. Variation 13 a 2 Clav. | |||
| 16. Variation 14 a 2 Clav. | |||
| 17. Variation 15 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Quinta in moto contrario. a 1 Clav. Andante | |||
| 18. Variation 16 Ouverture a 1 Clav. | |||
| 19. Variation 17 a 2 Clav. | |||
| 20. Variation 18 - Canone alla Sesta a 1 Clav. | |||
See all 33 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The American pianist Murray Perahia's new Sony recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations has such presence and immediacy that you will find yourself moved to listen to the entire 75-minute work without a break. Indeed, it would have been exceedingly rude not to, such is the power of this CD. The variations flow one to the other with hardly a break and no noticeable editing. The stream of ideas emanating from the initial haunting aria gathers momentum as the work progresses. Variation Five is the first thrilling lick. Variation Eight is a knuckle-knackering jig. Perahia hits the keys with such crispness that the bass strings twang like harpsichord notes. Variation 11 is the first fugue. Is it dry and dusty? No! It belts along like an arrogant student. Variation 14 is a test of hand crossing--you can hear the click of fingernails on keys. Variation 15 is minor for the first time, 16 is regal, 17 features bubbling thirds. Variation 21 temporarily halts the composer's exuberance with a sudden sombre lurch towards Luther like a guilty sinner repenting. The whole disc is a wonder from beginning to end and undoubtedly one of the finest tributes released in Bach Year 2000. --Rick Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I own 6 versions of the Goldberg Variations and this is the one I listen to now - it is about as perfect a combination of technique and inspiration as anyone could ever create - it is another step forward from Murray's other Bach recordings, themselves oustanding - even those hooked on Glen Gould will go for this one
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this after hearing an extract on the radio. I already had the Glen Gould recording and had enjoyed it but not really listened to it very often. When I got my hands on the Murray Perahia recording I think I must have listened to it every day for three weeks. Perahia acheives wonderful clarity and precision. Listening to him play this wonderful music is pure pleasure. Certainly my favourite Bach recording and one of my all-time favourite recordings of any kind.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For a while this was my favourite recording of the Goldberg Variations, but the more I listened to other recordings, the less convinced I became. Perahia plays the notes with absolute clarity, as you'd expect from his wonderful technique, but in my view misses some of the fun in the music, as well as the differentiation between the variations. When I listened to Andras Schiff's recording on Decca, I found it infinitely more varied - Schiff really sounds like he's having fun with the piece, as opposed to Perahia who is never boring but rarely inspiring either.
Overall, this is a middle-of-the-road interpretation which won't offend many ears, but in my view doesn't reveal all the riches of the piece either.
Overall, this is a middle-of-the-road interpretation which won't offend many ears, but in my view doesn't reveal all the riches of the piece either.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bouncy
If I had to choose just one word to describe the playing of Bach's Goldberg Variations on this cd, that word would be "Bouncy."
Published 2 months ago by B. Green
Excellent Goldbergs
This is an excellent interpretation of The Goldberg Variations. Murray Perahia is one of the truly great pianists of his generation and his Mozart in particular is quite... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sid Nuncius
Addictive Bach.
Superb version of the GV's. If you like the "Well-Tempered Clavier" you'll love this. Perahia shows great delicacy of touch. Trouble is, like all Bach, it becomes addictive.
Published 11 months ago by Antonio
A sublime performance and recording - but not necessarily a "safe"...
A while back I did some intensive comparative listening to various recordings of the Goldbergs in the company of a professional musician/composer/keyboard performer friend. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ralph Moore
Not totally convincing
I buy practically every available recording of the Goldberg Variations as it is surely one of my absolute favourite works of all time. Read more
Published 18 months ago by AbsoluteClassical
fingernail noises
One minor niggle with the recording is that you can clearly hear his finger nails clicking on the keys in some passages.
Published 22 months ago by Robert in Cambridge
extraordinary !!
Perahia is by far one the very best of his generation, and this interpretation brings light to the Goldbergs. And the recording is of outstanding quality, a must have.
Published 23 months ago by Fruchstuck
Excellent Cd for really relaxing listening.
Well up to the very high standard of Murray Perahia. Very crisply produced and excellent listening. I would recommend this one to all of my friends and anyone who justs wants... Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by Freddy The Frog
BRILLIANT, LIFE-AFFIRMING
Once again, my thanks to the reviewers who have led me to purchase this. I've come late to the piano and to Bach. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2009 by John Woodman
Paradise distilled
I love the Goldbergs, but never really heard them (and that includes the incomparable Gould) until I heard this. You will never tire of it. Read more
Published on 10 May 2006 by jglush
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