Bach: English Suites, Vol. 2

Read About This Recording

Calling pianist Glenn Gould mysterious and eccentric would be a drastic understatement. Gould made his radio debut in 1950 and, just 14 short years later, simply ceased to perform concerts for the rest of his career. He recorded extensively, but had a strict no visitors policy during his studio sessions. In his mind, the womb-like security of the studio allowed Gould to record his music in a more direct and personal manner than he could ever manage before a live audience.

Gould was, perhaps, the ultimate perfectionist in the recording studio. He would spend hours at a time working on each recording, although he claims to have only spent a minimal amount of time actually recording. Instead of playing endless takes of each work, he preferred to spend the bulk of his time listening to playbacks of his recording and searching for mistakes he could overwrite or fix. The result is this disc of Bach's English Suites, Nos. 4, 5 & 6 in technically perfect performances.

Despite this incredibly unusual approach to his music, Gould's talent nevertheless made him quite popular with the classical music world. It also alienated many of his would-be admirers. His skill, however, is undeniable and it is impossible to listen to this recording without being inspired by the genius of Bach's music in the hands of such a capable musician and meticulous performer.

We were fortunate to secure a small number of this limited quantity, limited edition recording for Society members and we are pleased to be able to offer it in this issue.

-Elaine Sutcliffe

Quotes

A record is a concert without halls and a museum whose curator is the owner. -Glenn Gould

I simply have a facility for a certain kind of minutiae, I always have. -Glenn Gould

I could read music and memorize it on the spot before I could read words. -Glenn Gould

Contents

English Suites: No. 4 in F Major, BWV809; No. 5 in E Minor, BWV810; No. 6 in D Minor, BWV811.

Glenn Gould, Piano.