Something more Gouldian . . .

["Mark Williamson" <mwilliamson@alston.com>]

     So we have finally reached a consensus to talk about things 
     more Gouldian (I have tried to be as neutral as possible on 
     this; IMHO you're *all* wonderful).  What do you think about 
     playing *certain* Goldberg Variations on the piano?  That 
     is, the ones marked "two claviers," not "1 clavier" or "1 or 
     2 claviers?"  Of the ones marked "two claviers," there are 
     one or two that come off fine on a single keyboard, but most 
     of them are about ten times as difficult on one keyboard as 
     they are on two, because of the fingering complications.
     
     Now, admittedly, Mr. Gould pulls it off beautifully.  And I 
     suppose for a player of his ability, there is no 
     philosophical question presented at all.  But for mortal 
     players, is it worth all the time it takes to work these 
     things out solely in order to master a difficulty that Mr. 
     Bach never intended?  I mean, for all the talk about Bach 
     not being an "idiomatic" composer, he really does try to 
     think about the player and what the everyday player is 
     capable of.
     
     If one does not have ready access to a two-keyboard organ or 
     harpsichord, one solution is to buy a couple of Roland A-30s 
     (a *bargain* at $630 a pop) and wire them into your MIDI 
     system . . .  I possess one of these beauties already and am 
     tempted to buy another just for this purpose.  I have 
     previously posted my opinions speculating that Mr. Gould 
     would by this time be a MIDI fanatic if he were still alive.
     
     Warm, fuzzy feelings to all of you.
     
     Mark