Fabulously interesting comparison. I think I remember Murray Perahia's Goldbergs mentioned here once before. It is indeed a masterful performance. For me, however, it does not surpass Glenn Gould's, but that just may be personal bias.
I think, however, the commentator contradicted himself slightly, and without intending to do so (meaning it may not be what he meant to say). He seems to imply that structural integrity is more present in Perahia's than in Glenn Gould's. This may certainly be valid, particularly if each variation is taken separately. However, the commentators seemed to have ignored taking the piece as a whole, which seems to me to be the point of the variation form. A great man once told me that each variation must seem as if it is an inevitable consequence of the one prior to it. In terms of linkage between the variations, to me at least, there doesn't seem to be much going for Murray Perahia. For me, there is no one who played the Goldbergs with the sole purpose of making listeners aware of the structural integrity more than Glenn Gould.
Also, I was rather disappointed with the way Glenn Gould's Variation 5 was treated. It seemed to be a rather uninformed way of talking about the Variation. Also, it may be that the commentators took the particualr variation out of context.
Again, I am not arguing to put down Perahia's Gouldbergs. Also, what the commentators say about dance music in relation to Bach doesn't strike me as being particularly comprehensive. Correct me if I'm wrong. Perhaps I just need to listen to more Bach. (when isn't there such a time?).
Singh
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 15:01:27 -0500
From: kpapademas@aol.com
To: f_minor@email.rutgers.edu
Subject: [F_minor] GG's GVs versus the world
Hello F_minors!
Check the following site: It is on Murray Perahia's Goldberg Vs compared to our GG's GVs.
Listen to the commentary and the comparisons (there is a play button as you scroll down).
Katherine
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