Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Übung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Aria da capo
Unlike many Bach works adapted for guitar, the intricacies of the Goldberg Variations lie beyond the scope of six strings. Guitarist Kurt Rodarmer circumvents these limitations via overdubbing--either playing duets with ... more »himself or else trios and quartets. Rodarmer also employs a custom-made guitar on which the bass register extends down into the cello register. While idiomatic keyboard effects, such as the cross-handed sequences, fall by the wayside, Rodarmer manages to convey the music's linear vitality at tempos that make most guitarists green with envy. Overdubbing, however, renders contrapuntal lines more independent than interactive. I am also bothered by the guitarist's cloying vibrato in lyrical movements and habitual accents on downbeats. A fun project, nonetheless. --Jed Distler« less
Unlike many Bach works adapted for guitar, the intricacies of the Goldberg Variations lie beyond the scope of six strings. Guitarist Kurt Rodarmer circumvents these limitations via overdubbing--either playing duets with himself or else trios and quartets. Rodarmer also employs a custom-made guitar on which the bass register extends down into the cello register. While idiomatic keyboard effects, such as the cross-handed sequences, fall by the wayside, Rodarmer manages to convey the music's linear vitality at tempos that make most guitarists green with envy. Overdubbing, however, renders contrapuntal lines more independent than interactive. I am also bothered by the guitarist's cloying vibrato in lyrical movements and habitual accents on downbeats. A fun project, nonetheless. --Jed Distler
"A magnificent performance, particularly if you prefer the guitar's more lyrical sound to the piano. To my ear even the magisterial second Gould interpretation of the Goldbergs sounds a bit like a drum compared to Rodarmer's. Some passages that traverse the whole keyboard range do show a bit of strain, but by and large the music is wonderfully seamless. In fact, I wish I hadn't read about the technical challenges of transcription, dubbing and performance on multiple instruments. Those make the listener pay attention to the technique, while the playing sounds as natural as breathing. An awesome achievement. Looking forward to the Well-Tempered Guitar:-)
--Mike"
Unbelievable
Mike Cherepov | 10/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I, like many people was skeptical of this project at first, perhaps also forgetting that Bach did not write the Goldbergs for Glenn Gould on a grand piano in 1955. In fact, as a classical guitarist myself, I was a bit afraid this would do a disservice to the public's impression instrument, which does not hold up well when playing the Prelude to Bach's 6th Cello Suite, for example.But one listen was all it took. This is a masterpiece: of transcription, of performance, or recording, of conception. I now consider it to be the finest reading of the Goldberg Variations on record, and find Rodarmer to be a finer transcriber of Bach for the guitar than even the revered John Duarte, but finally, I find him to be the best *guitarist* working today. John Williams, David Russell and the Romeros have never played with such subtlety of nuance as does Rodarmer here, and I only wish we had more recordings by him. While his vibrato may annoy some players for me it is a pleasure and a necessary element of playing the Goldbergs on guitar, and his tone....I have never heard better. Even Parkening at his greatest (the PARKENING PLAYS BACH album) is an artificial two-dimensionality of the studio in the wake of Kurt Rodarmer's stupendous achievement."
Sorry to repeat, but this gets better with each listening.
Marmez1@aol.com | Los Angeles, CA USA | 04/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I apologize to all Amazon readers for adding a second opinion after my earlier review. I had to do it because of the way this performance has grown on me. It has gotten better and better with repeated listening. Rodarmer plays with a great pulse. His interpretations of each variation are enlightening and compelling. As I mentioned before, the different tonal qualities of each guitar string produces an unusual effect, and the inner voices are thus easier to follow. The sound is also great. Whether listening on my car CD player or on my friend's very high end system, this CD sounds incredibly natural. In fact, on a high end system it is quite outstanding.Every friend for whom I have played this has loved it. I think you will too. Very highly recommended."
OK, I'm convinced.
Marmez1@aol.com | Los Angeles, CA USA | 03/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Glenn Gould once said that there are two kinds of composers -- those who write to demonstrate the range of possibilities on a particular instrument, and those who write music which can be played on any instrument. Bach is clearly in the latter group. Growing up, I listened to orchestral transcriptions of Bach by Stokowski, and guitar transcriptions by Segovia and Julian Bream. The old Bream version of the Chaconne, once on an old Westminister LP is still a favorite of mine. Later I discovered Busoni's transcriptions for piano. These transcriptions have gone in and out of favor as tastes and trends change, but I have always found them both illuminating and satisfying when performed by great artists.When I read Amazon's reviewer I was somewhat put off, expecting something like a Les Paul overdubbed version of the Goldbergs. Instead I was treated to an altogether illuminating and revelatory performance. While I still prefer the Goldbergs performed on a piano, and recommend both the VIA and DG versions by Rosalyn Tureck as well as both the 1955 and the later version by Gould, this recording has added to my pleasure and insight into the piece.The fact that each guitar string has different voicing and different tonal qualities makes this performance light up different contrapuntal lines. Furthermore, Rodarmer manages to sustain the musical line and the inner tension in nearly every variation. There is never a dull or boring moment, and his tempos are nearly all well chosen. This is a virtuoso recording, and a musically valid and sensative one as well. I disagree with the reviewer who said this should be anyone's first Goldberg Variations. For that I would chose one of the Glenn Gould versions. But for the listener who loves this great work and looks for additional illumination through different interpretations and performances, this CD is definitely worth it. Highly recommended."
I Love The Vibrato
C. Marshall | Durham, NC | 11/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording sounds great. Some reviewers complained about the supposedly "cloying" vibrato. I think it sounds poignantly beautiful."
Track Listings (32) - Disc #1
