Search - Glenn Gould, Bach :: Bach: The Goldberg Variations 1955 Performance: Zenph Re-performance

Great! But with some concerns...

T. SATO | 12/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Aside from all the debates about Gould-likeliness, I did in fact enjoy this CD, even though I own and love the original 1955 recording.

I did find the clone robot performance very human, and believable, and it will be a good introductory/candle light dinner CD for non-classical buffs too.

(I know many classical beginners are put off by vintage poor recordings and tape hisses and go back to hip-hop)



However, I would like to point out three things I didn't like about this CD.



1. I didn't like the Yamaha piano with its over-compressed and very "stiff" limited sound.

The left hand felt boring, and and instrument sounds (hammers, hands, pedalwork, etc are missing.

I think a large bunch of other reviewers' negative feelings is due to this poor piano sound.

I understand they couldn't use the Steinway since Yamaha made the robot piano, but it's still a shame.

I know a good Yamaha can sound very good, so the problem must be due to poor engineering and mastering onto the CD. (was it mastered by pop music engineers??)



Also, the software seemed still immature, and only seems to distinguish between loud notes and quiet notes, and I couldn't feel other aspects, such as the variations in attacks (which doesn't necessarily relate to loudness) and pedalwork (damper released should sound different to finger released). So it sounds flat and generic, like a computer graphic movie.



2. I liked the binaural version, but what would be really good is if they were brave enough to also includ the original 1955 recording on the CD. (or sell as a 2-CD set of original/clone recordings)

That would be a HUGE gamble, but it will also show how serious these producers attitudes are, and probably be welcomed by many enthusiasts. (espeially if the 1955 is re-remastered onto a SACD)



3. I think this new technology is promising, but I am also worried that in the future there may be many "clone" CD's on the market, which may deceive the buyers if they are not absolutely clearly labelled (like in this CD's jacket). Who knows... It might end up in court cases for fraud...



If this technology becomes easily accessible (just pop in any piano sonata CD and out comes a MIDI data), then there would be lots of "me too" companies trying to make replicas of Rubinstein, Horowitz, Michelangeli etc...

And there would eventually be market for raw MIDI data of "greatest artists" on sale on the internet...

Then, few years later, the original recordings would only be valued as archives, and everyone would be listening to "Horowitz('s data) plays Chopin on Marimba" versions of CD's.... I'm very worried...



But then again, I too would also like to hear new robot recordings of some of my favorite performers...

(my personal wish is Gieseking)"

The classics never die; just reborn!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 06/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This masterful re-edition allows the new generations may even get closer to what this recording meant in 1955 for the musical universe. It's hard to guess how many listeners became music lovers of this genre, because of Gould was -if I may- the first and possibly the greatest artistic achievement in the history of the music.



These Goldberg meant a true openess and at the same time the most convincing proof the classic music was far to be considered a status issue reserved just for a minory. Besides it illuminated the interpretative flame of many new pianists who understood had became an icon of the instrument and a key force in what Bach's music concerned.



The superb quality of sound is outstanding, and due the fact that 25 years ago Gould left us, we have the suspect there will be mnusch more pleasant surprises of Sonny in what concerns new releases of this genius of the keyboard."