[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Something more Gouldian . . .
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