OuterDialogue

mrgan:

Here’s a little chart I made. Glenn Gould recorded two remarkably different versions of Bach’s ‘Goldberg Variations’. The 1955 version is fast, virtuosic, and energetic (even frenetic). The 1981 version is deliberately paced and elegant. They are both dizzying masterpieces.

Most people prefer one over the other. On an average day, I will favor the 1981, but only by about 5%. I am very glad that both of them exist.

(Click for full size, please)

I’d add one additional version: The Zenph re-performance of the 1955 recording. I was skeptical when I first heard about it, but the performance is amazing and has both stereo and binaural tracks to boot!