The enrapturing sound!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 07/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias are part of the daily training of every keyboard player. Valuable technical instruction and superb originality are certainly one o its most distinguished attributes. Written for his eldest son Wilhelm Friedmann (born 1710), the thematic diversity and the wide range of musical ideas is endless. I find them extraordinarily stimulating and propitiatory at any moment, are not only imaginative but peerless in the Bach's repertoire. I would even dare to recommend to anyone who really wants to initiate with the unioverse of the master of masters.
This version of Kenneth Gilbert is by far, one of the most representative, prominent and colossal achievements of this well known virtuosi and emblematic musician. He really is one of the few artists of the instrument.
As a matter of fact this CD was one of my ten first ones at the moment I began my golden collection. A true treasure.
"
A Fine Harpsichord Reading vs. Glenn Gould's Piano Realizati
Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 09/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
".
Agree with other reviewer on all points.
However, this recording (now out of print but still available from 3rd parties) is a perfect example showing the real difference between a fine conventional reading and Glenn Gould's extraordinarily exceptional realizations of the same Bach oeuvre.
Gould's most exquisite readings of these little gems of aesthetic art--on piano, of course--really cannot be surpassed.
See url: ( http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m/002-2062098-3583232?initialSearch=1&url=node%3D85&field-keywords=gould+inventions&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go )
When Gould made his recordings in 1964 no one else was playing the Inventions and Sinfonias. And then, no one--before nor since--has imbued these little works with such astoundingly intense joy and pathos.
Of course Gould's track times are unique: in some cases, 2x slower; in other cases, as much as 30% faster--or slower: but his timings only engender his individualistic-gestalt vision of these works. Moreover, Gould couples the Inventions & Sinfonias, whereas most other players separate them--(which is much less satisfactory).
Again, Kenneth Gilbert's reading is a very fine basic realization--no question about it. The issue is simply in comparison Gould's recording is so much more exceptional.
."