A Change Of Pace
Tired of political posts? Why don't you listen to this instead The praeludium is part of Bach's Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 performed by Glenn Gould (448K mp3)
You can even get your own copy here
update: Leftbanker made mention of the Aria from the Goldberg Variations in the comments. Since I don't have a recording of him playing it you'll have to listen to the piece, three minutes and five seconds of heaven, from Glenn Gould's 1981 recording. Of course you could listen to Glenn's 1955 recording a mere minute and 54 seconds. It was the 1955 recording that made a name for the young pianist from Toronto. Glenn Gould was a perfectionist and hence the 1981 recording at a much slower tempo. So why don't you listen to both of them and let me know which you prefer.
You'll find a wonderful CD actually three CD's with both recordings here.
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Comments
If you listen closely, you can hear him singing along. He was amazing.
Posted by: anon | November 28, 2004 4:55 PM
Norm, you are a total delight. I love your website.
Posted by: Susan | November 28, 2004 10:46 PM
Thanks. I need a little Bach to get motivated to start practicing piano again after months of neglect. I doubt if I could play this piece but I love working through the aria to the Goldberg Variations. Whenever anyone asks me to explain counterpoint I play that piece for them and they nod their head and say, "OK, now I get it."
Posted by: leftbanker | November 29, 2004 3:56 AM
Nice. Thanks.
Posted by: anon | November 29, 2004 8:47 AM
Thanks Susan, that has to be one of nicest comments I've received in months.
Posted by: Norm | November 29, 2004 11:08 AM
I'll see your Gould Goldbergs and raise you Richter's 48:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000026OHN/qid=1101784915/sr=5-2/ref=cmlmasin/102-8373438-9497750?v=glance
Posted by: Lara Inis | November 29, 2004 8:37 PM
Richter eh, certainly one of the all time greats. What are you trying to do bust my music budget for the year.
Posted by: Norm | November 29, 2004 9:54 PM
Yes, heaven, on earth. Gould and Bach: the opening Aria is a 'religious' experience. Angela Hewitt plays the 48 beautifully, and recorded beautifully. If I can play just one of these preludes/fugues before I die, I'll die a happy man!
Posted by: Krish | December 19, 2004 3:26 PM
Speaking of Gould and Bach: In an interview not long before his death, Gould was asked for his views on extraterrestrial intelligence, specifically how he would respond if he were ever to encounter such an intelligence. He said that he would give them one thing that was great about human civilization, and, in turn, ask them for one thing that was great about their civilization. Gould's offering, a musical one, would be Bach's Mass in B minor. That was Stephen Jay, not Glenn.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000057CN/qid=1103516159/sr=8-1/ref=pdcsp1/103-6553470-1831844?v=glance
Posted by: Lara Inis | December 19, 2004 9:36 PM