Search - Bach, Paley :: Goldberg Variations

Goldberg Variations
Bach, Paley
Goldberg Variations
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #2

"Once in a while, never often enough, a recital is so exhilarating that it reaches far into the intermission, which becomes a delicious interlude between the lingering vapors of superlative artistry already experienced ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Bach, Paley
Title: Goldberg Variations
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Hanssler Classics
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 5/8/2007
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 4010276019046

Synopsis

Album Description
"Once in a while, never often enough, a recital is so exhilarating that it reaches far into the intermission, which becomes a delicious interlude between the lingering vapors of superlative artistry already experienced and the enormous pleasure of knowing there is still more to come." -- The Washington Post [on a live performance by Alexander Paley of The Goldberg Variations]This is without doubt one of the great recorded performances of The Goldberg Variations, by one of today's most exciting classical pianists. Born in Moldavia, Alexander Paley began playing the piano when he was six. At sixteen he won the National Music Competition of Moldavia. Subsequently, he studied at the Moscow Conservatory. He went on to win major awards, including First Prize at the Leipzig International Bach Competition in 1984 and the Bösendorfer Prize in 1986. Paley recreates his artistic triumph employing the well-articulated and colorful registration of the Blüthner Concert Grand.
 

CD Reviews

The Goldbergs for our age
Nikos A. Salingaros | San Antonio, TX USA | 11/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alexander Paley gives us a highly ornamented account, taking every repeat, unlike Gould and most other performers. He also plays without haste those variations he feels should be deliberate. Two disks give him the breathing space he needs. If you want to immerse yourself in a true Baroque experience, then this recording is for you. If you want a dry, staccato, rapid performance, then go elsewhere. This is a piano performance. Paley in a phenomenal pianist, who uses all the color of his instrument to convince the listener of the majesty of Bach's genius. This rendition is not academic: it is alive, dreamy, intense, intimate, grand, wonderful. Many previous pianists' attempts at ornamentation failed, to my mind, because the performer could not get into the Baroque spirit. The ornamentation seemed contrived, added on, and ultimately annoying. By contrast, the ornamentation here is organic -- it grows out of the written notes.



Highly recommended."