Credits:

Glenn Gould (piano)

Description:

This is Glenn Gould's debut recording of the Goldberg Variations from June 1955. Although Gould had played this variation in concert several times before that, the only recording that survives is the live broadcast of his appearance on a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) radio program in June 1954, which is included on this disc. Gould himself had the disc recorded for his own listening and recording purposes, and it was discovered among his belongings after his death. The recording clearly shows Gould's unenthusiastic presentation of his own interpretation in front of a microphone for live broadcasts. The high level of Gould's playing technique as a pianist, the superb polishing of the individuality of each of the 30 variations, and the unwavering sense of structure that envelops them all in the outburst and the da capo aria at the end highlight the high affinity between the "Goldberg Variations," which have become synonymous with Gould. The four pieces from the second volume of "The Law of Averages," recorded in February 1952 and April 1954, are coupled. (C)RS