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Sony Masterworks

Bach: Two- And Three-Part Inventions / Glenn Gould

Baroque Spiritual Virtuosic Uplifting Dramatic
$11.98

Details

Composer
BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN
Artist
Glenn Gould
Format
CD
Label
Sony Masterworks
Released
Jun 06, 2006
Catalog #
82876787662
UPC
828767876627

About

Glenn Gould's 1964 recording of the Bach Two- and Three-Part Inventions needs little introduction to collectors, for the simple reason that Sony has reissued it umpteen times on CD. However, this latest incarnation via the label's newly reconstituted Great Performances series yields its fullest-sounding transfer yet. As a result, the piano's infamous middle-register "hiccup" effect that Gould charmingly describes in the booklet note is more pronounced, along with background rumble (the subway?) masked in previous editions.

But what's most important is that Gould divines more character and meaning from the Inventions than many pianists who've looked upon these works as little more than teaching pieces. I especially like how Gould creates a unifying arc by juxtaposing each two-part invention with its three-part counterpart in the same key, sometimes dovetailing non-stop from one piece to the next.

In addition to the aforementioned sonic improvement, Sony includes three unedited takes for the F major, B minor, and F minor Sinfonias that stem from the 1955 Goldberg Variations sessions. Although Gould rejected the recordings, they nevertheless came out on Sony's 2005 deluxe "Birth of a Legend" Goldbergs reissue. Three complete performances of these pieces from the same sessions appear here for the first time. If you've heard Gould's 1955 CBC broadcast of all 15 Sinfonias (CBC PSCD 2005), you'll know to expect more spontaneous and pianistically oriented interpretations than the relatively astringent 1964 remakes. For example, the B minor proves friskier and lighter in touch than the later version, while conversely, the F minor is a little broader, with more melodic inflection and discreet yet ravishing dabs of sustain pedal. God only knows what bells and whistles Sony's next Gould Bach Inventions re-re-re-re-issue may bring. Until then, the present release is the one to get.

– Jed DIstler, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 36 tracks

  1. 1 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 1 in C Major, BWV 772 01:30
    Track
    1
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 1 in C Major, BWV 772
    Duration
    01:30
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  2. 2 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major, BWV 787 00:46
    Track
    2
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major, BWV 787
    Duration
    00:46
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  3. 3 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 773 02:54
    Track
    3
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 773
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  4. 4 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 788 03:02
    Track
    4
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 788
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  5. 5 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 776 01:21
    Track
    5
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 776
    Duration
    01:21
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  6. 6 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 791 03:07
    Track
    6
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 791
    Duration
    03:07
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  7. 7 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 14 in B-Flat Major, BWV 785 01:37
    Track
    7
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 14 in B-Flat Major, BWV 785
    Duration
    01:37
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  8. 8 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 14 in B-Flat Major, BWV 800 01:09
    Track
    8
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 14 in B-Flat Major, BWV 800
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  9. 9 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 11 in G Minor, BWV 782 00:54
    Track
    9
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 11 in G Minor, BWV 782
    Duration
    00:54
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  10. 10 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 11 in G Minor, BWV 797 03:44
    Track
    10
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 11 in G Minor, BWV 797
    Duration
    03:44
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  11. 11 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 10 in G Major, BWV 781 00:40
    Track
    11
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 10 in G Major, BWV 781
    Duration
    00:40
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  12. 12 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 10 in G Major, BWV 796 00:57
    Track
    12
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 10 in G Major, BWV 796
    Duration
    00:57
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  13. 13 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 786 00:52
    Track
    13
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 786
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  14. 14 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801 01:04
    Track
    14
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801
    Duration
    01:04
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  15. 15 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 7 in E Minor, BWV 778 00:55
    Track
    15
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 7 in E Minor, BWV 778
    Duration
    00:55
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  16. 16 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 7 in E Minor, BWV 793 01:32
    Track
    16
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 7 in E Minor, BWV 793
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  17. 17 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 6 in E Major, BWV 777 02:42
    Track
    17
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 6 in E Major, BWV 777
    Duration
    02:42
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  18. 18 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 6 in E Major, BWV 792 00:50
    Track
    18
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 6 in E Major, BWV 792
    Duration
    00:50
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  19. 19 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 784 00:45
    Track
    19
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 784
    Duration
    00:45
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  20. 20 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 799 02:14
    Track
    20
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 799
    Duration
    02:14
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  21. 21 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 12 in A Major, BWV 783 00:56
    Track
    21
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 12 in A Major, BWV 783
    Duration
    00:56
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  22. 22 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 12 in A Major, BWV 798 01:15
    Track
    22
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 12 in A Major, BWV 798
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  23. 23 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 3 in D Major, BWV 774 01:00
    Track
    23
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 3 in D Major, BWV 774
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  24. 24 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major, BWV 789 01:06
    Track
    24
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major, BWV 789
    Duration
    01:06
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  25. 25 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 775 00:47
    Track
    25
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 775
    Duration
    00:47
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  26. 26 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 790 03:14
    Track
    26
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 790
    Duration
    03:14
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  27. 27 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 8 in F Major, BWV 779 01:05
    Track
    27
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 8 in F Major, BWV 779
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  28. 28 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794 00:59
    Track
    28
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794
    Duration
    00:59
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  29. 29 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 780 02:48
    Track
    29
    Title
    2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786: Invention No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 780
    Duration
    02:48
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  30. 30 3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795 04:17
    Track
    30
    Title
    3-Part Inventions (Sinfonias), BWV 787–801: Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795
    Duration
    04:17
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  31. 31 Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794 00:53
    Track
    31
    Title
    Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794
    Duration
    00:53
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  32. 32 Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801 00:55
    Track
    32
    Title
    Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801
    Duration
    00:55
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  33. 33 Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795 05:01
    Track
    33
    Title
    Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795
    Duration
    05:01
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  34. 34 Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794 02:13
    Track
    34
    Title
    Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794
    Duration
    02:13
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  35. 35 Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801 05:38
    Track
    35
    Title
    Sinfonia No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801
    Duration
    05:38
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould
  36. 36 Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795 05:09
    Track
    36
    Title
    Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795
    Duration
    05:09
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Glenn Gould