Re: Gould Bias

[Gregory T Romero <gregory.romero@yale.edu>]

On Thu, 20 Feb 1997, K. Berry wrote:  > > I'm not sure she was the only
one, but it was probably Wanda Landowska, > one of the foremost Bach
interpreters in the first half of the century.  > > She had an enormous
influence (positive IMHO) on Bach performance, > getting away from the
truly romantic interpretations rampant before and > during her time, i.e.,
banging on the piano for maximum effect.

  > > I don't mean to be a pedant,
but Landowska's recordings of Bach are filled with all kinds of Romantic
mannerisms that today are considered sacreligious, especially the
application of ritards at the ends of phrases.  I believe the word "white
hot" is often applied to her Bach playing (at least by Harold Schonberg). 
I've listened to her famous Goldberg's many times, and I have to say that
they are really remarkable statements of the pre-GG approach to Bach
though I think GG far exceeded her conception of the Goldbergs.  She
recorded some of the Mozart sonatas on piano towards the end of her
career, and those are my favorite of her non-Bach recordings. 

                           -Greg