The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Glenn Gould's Bach is by now so ingrained in the 20th-century musical consciousness that it's almost hard to remember just how unusual his devotion to this composer was back in the 1950s and '60s when he first started making records. That his Bach recordings are still the standard by which all others are measured is a tribute to his self-awareness as an artist. If you are looking for the essential Glenn Gould playing Bach, then the three sets you really ought to have are his Goldberg Variations (either version), plus the two books of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Gould was simply incomparable in the contrapuntal intricacies of Bach's fugal writing, and in The Well-Tempered Clavier he has 48 opportunities to strut his stuff. He makes a show of every one. --David Hurwitz

The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II, Music, Johann Sebastian Bach, Glenn Gould, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Contrapuntal/Improvisatory Keyboard Music, Keyboard

Average customer rating:

Recommended

Gould brings the voices out

My Favorite WTC

Superlative Gould, but bad Bach.

Please consider the version by Andras Schiff...

The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
Johann Sebastian Bach , and Glenn Gould
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Gould, Glenn | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000028NJ
Release Date: 1994-01-11

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue No.1 In C Major, BWV 870: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.1 In C Major, BWV 870: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 871: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 871: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 872: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 872: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 873: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 873: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 874: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 874: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 875: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 875: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In D-Sharp Minor, BWV 877: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In D-Sharp Minor, BWV 877: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 879: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 879: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 880: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 880: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 881: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 881: Fuga

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue No. 13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 882: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 882: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 883: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 883: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 15 In G Major, BWV 884: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 15 In G Major, BWV 884: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 16 In G Minor, BWV 885: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 16 In G Minor, BWV 885: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 886: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 886: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 887: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 887: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 19 In A Major, BWV 888: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 19 In A Major, BWV 888: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 20 In A Minor, BWV 889: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 20 In A Minor, BWV 889: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 890: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 890: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 891: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 891: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 23 In B Major, BWV 892: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 23 In B Major, BWV 892: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, BWV 893: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, BWV 893: Fuga

Amazon.com

Glenn Gould's Bach is by now so ingrained in the 20th-century musical consciousness that it's almost hard to remember just how unusual his devotion to this composer was back in the 1950s and '60s when he first started making records. That his Bach recordings are still the standard by which all others are measured is a tribute to his self-awareness as an artist. If you are looking for the essential Glenn Gould playing Bach, then the three sets you really ought to have are his Goldberg Variations (either version), plus the two books of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Gould was simply incomparable in the contrapuntal intricacies of Bach's fugal writing, and in The Well-Tempered Clavier he has 48 opportunities to strut his stuff. He makes a show of every one. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Recommended.......2004-08-24

Why is the Well-Tempered Clavier 2 not as famous as the first Well-Tempered Clavier? I dont know. But just to let you know, I prefer Glenn Goulds recording of this 2nd Clavier book over the first. There are many reasons. The first is that Glenn Gould takes a good tempo on almost all of the preludes and fugues, unlike on the first book. Dont get me wrong though, the first Well Tempered clavier vol. 1 recording is also one of my favorite recordings. The second reason is that he does a VERY GOOD job on bringing out the voices in the fugues of book 2. The third is that there is wonderful sound quality. There are also many other reasons, but I cant name them all right now. I just happen to like this recording better...HIGHLY reccomended.

Gould brings the voices out.......2003-05-12

If you can get by the sound of Gould's own voice as he hums throughout you will get to feast on the genius of Bach's counterpoint. I don't know that I've heard another performer more evenly and distinctly bring out each voice in Bach's keyboard works. The recordings have been excellently remastered from the early originals.

I feel that Bach's early music had a more effortless and sometimes wistful or inspired quality than his later works. However, his later works seem much deeper in thought and character and emotion and skill than the earlier ones. I would have to say that if forced to choose I take the later works (Amazing Mass in B minor, Art of Fugue) including the later set of Preludes and Fugues performed here by a Bach master. I would never force myself to make that choice, however. Pick this one up and hear the voices sing (including Gould's, ouch!).

My Favorite WTC.......2003-03-25

The music of JS Bach is extremely interesting, and one thoughtful listening to his works has the power to change the way you hear and perceive music forever more. Bach's keyboard works are typically polyphonic, and that basically means two melodies, or more acurately stated, two musical thoughts, are presented simultaneously. The resulting musical edifice has the potential to sound like, how does one say? "too many notes". Because of the very nature of counterpoint, the simple elegance of Mozart, or the heart-tugging in-your-face-passion of Beethoven, are not as accessible to the average listener. But there is an unmistakable breadth and vitality found in Bach's musical counterpoint, conjoined with a unique grandeur and nobility, that can move and uplift the spirit in a way that is entirely unique.

The Well Tempered Clavier (WTC) consists of two books, both of which are comprised of a prelude and fugue written in each of the major and minor keys of western music. Because there are twelve major keys, and twelve related minor keys, each book of the WTC is comprised of 24 prelude and fugues. One enjoyable aspect of the WTC for the new listener is that, because all of the major and minor keys are presented in a systematic way, one is able to discern what is most appealing to the listener's unique sensibilities. Perhaps you will find that you prefer major to minor, or vice versa. Perhaps you will find a handful of key signatures that you think are preferable, and that can be the foundation for further exploration into other pieces of music written in the same key.

I own a number of recordings of J.S. Bach's WTC. I happen to like book II better than book I, and this rendition is undoubtedly my favorite of them all. Gould's sense of rhythm is impeccable, and it is that aspect that makes this recording so stunning. The pulse is extraordinary, the ornamentation is played with extreme verve, and Gould's technical abilities and musicianship are more than adequate to keep strict time throughout. I also really appreciate the fact that Gould keeps his foot off the pedal, unlike Richter, or Fischer, or any number of the other standard recordings. A powerful and distinct rhythmic momentum should be felt throughout these works. It is also essential to maintain the clarity of each voice, and the pedal, or reverberation in general, can obscure both rhythm and clarity in the context of polyphonic music. Gould is able to bring distinctness to each voice in a way that is entirely unique.

With that said, Gould does have some singular ideas about tempo. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. For an incredible example of when it works, listen to to his remarkable rendering of the prelude and the fugue in C#-Major. Both, but particularly the fugue, are taken at extremely slow tempos. The result is extraordinary. This is hands down my favorite recording of Bach's WTC. In my opinion, no other recording compares to this one.

Superlative Gould, but bad Bach........2003-03-07

Once again, David Hurwitz is pushing his personal agenda. Do NOT purchase these discs unless you already own several sets of the 48 and want a truly unorthodox view that belies the intent of the music. After staying away from Gould's interpretations of Bach's major keyboard works for some years, I recently decided to revisit them. Unfortunately, my impression of Gould's interpretations hasn't improved over the years. There is some incredible pianism on these CDs, and Gould's insights are often revealing. Nonetheless, the eccentricities and musical anomalies are too numerous and prohibitively distracting. What's more, the plaintive vocalizing is annoying, to say the least. This may be a must for Gould fans, but not for the rest of us. If you want something truly legendary in this repretoire, buy Edwin Fischer's classic recordings from the 30s. Or, if you want digital sound, Angela Hewitt's performances are beyond reproach.

Please consider the version by Andras Schiff..........2002-08-05

I am a person who will not keep multiple versions (by different performers) for a specific record, and this is the version that made me spent extra! I always believe that if I commit a purchase, that will be the only copy that will keep me accompany for many years, and I would rather spend the money on other recordings and give myself more variety in classical music. To be fair, I have to admit that I canýt tell how well he had interpreted this work by Bach, as commented by many other reviewers. As far as I am concern, in term of personal preference and individual expectation, this set had failed me completely!

I bought both WTC Book 1 and 2 by Glenn Gould recently but was extremely disappointed. I like the music very much but I hate the way he played this beautiful piece. It is annoying and frustrating to hear the mumbling throughout his playing! Guess what I did after listening to all the 4 discs? I went to buy WTC Book 1 again by Andras Schiff (London Decca) and immediately I realize the differences - Schiffýs version is definitely the version that I will strongly recommend. Just few words to describe ý Clarity, Pleasant, and Excellent Recording!!! I have no hesitation to buy the Book 2 (by Andras Schiff too).

Rating for Glenn Gouldýs version? I am only willing to give 1 star (both Book 1 and 2). Donýt buy this 2 records unless you like his ýuniqueý style of playingý

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