"The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity." -Glenn Gould
It makes me really thankful to know there are still parents out there who take the time to just sit down with their kids and explore music. My parents did that with me when I was younger and honestly I can't thank them enough.
broke my heart into a thousand pieces. Wasn't expecting this at all, even tough i heard this million times. An amazing interpretation, out of this world
The beginning of the most beautiful recording of the Goldberg-Variations - Glenn's second recording 1981 , at the end of his lifetime ... (This changed my musical life.)
The most magnificent and spiritual interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variation Every keyboard stoke touches my heart and soul May your soul rest in peace Glenn Gould
everyone thought glenn was crazy for quitting live performances and focusing completely on recording. everyone was wrong. a lot of glenn's 'bizzare' opinions/predictions, time has shown to be correct. too bad he died young-ish. glenn would have loved the internet. i can picture him with his own youtube channel, releasing music constantly (maybe even electronic music, one of his predictions for the future of music), and replying to every comment.
Wow you are so right, especially the part about him responding to every comment----he totally seems like that kind of guy. It's funny cause just the other day while lost in thought I looked up at the ceiling and thought "You know, Glenn Gould would've absolutely adored TH-cam..."
I miss Gould very much. But imagining him in the age of the internet as you do brings a smile to my face. I agree: he would have loved every minute of it.
He recorded so much that if he wanted something new he’d have to record composer he didn’t like, for example Chopin. I would like to see Glenn on the internet really.
This is surely one of the loveliest performances of one of the most beautiful works of art ever written. Gould's playing is perfectly calibrated, and uttered with perfect simplicity.
After listening so many so many different versions from different pianists, this is still the best ever, everytime when listening, it's still so touching, absolutely classic
As much as I appreciate and enjoy Lang Lang’s skilled and intelligent improvisations to this Aria, I personally feel that Gould’s simple yet beautiful performance clearly shows how he understands that not everything has to be overly complex. He plays it at a much slower speed than most players do, but that being said, it never gets dull and boring. He seems to connect to the melody as if it is a familiar friend. This is far too beautiful to be even for study music.
Gould is a genius who will live on forever. Just listen to the music and appreciate it for what it's worth. You'll never hear Bach played better than you do right here.
Interesting to compare it to Mona Lisa's smile. I feel something similar. Almost a deep sense of maternal consolation and forgiveness. Especially at the end, where it feels as though I'm being gently hushed with a hypnotic lullaby...
Glenn Gould is one of the greatest musicians in this planet! Thanks God we have so many magnificent musicians, they r like stars and geniuses that illuminate our path and purify our spirit! I love them ,I love Bach, I love Glenn Gould!
I've never heard such a simple piece of music played in such a fascinating way. He had some form of synesthesia for sure. Just the way he sort of bonds his voice to the notes of the piano...makes me wonder if the humming wasn't so much a habit as it was an intentional means of making the piano more resonant and voice-like. Not to mention it gives the recordings an eerie & wistful quality. It almost sounds like an elderly man gently weeping in another room...especially when he enters the minor key. Chilling...
You know, a lot of people have complained about Gould's mumbling and groaning while he plays piano, saying it takes away from the music, but I think it adds to it. It makes it more...his. I don't think it would complete without it.
I have listened to many piano solo's in my life and after a while I got sick of them, but this, I've played over and over and I have never manged to gain sickness of this piano solo
Who cannot like this? I am in wonder. I have many friends who although listen to Rock, hard rock, metal, Pop, Electronic, alternative and world are simply in awe with this.
Goulds vocalization is a direct interpretation in his mind as to what the music should sound like. Most players will do this, Myself included. I play very well and have for 30 years. I have to hear myself hum the music as I play. This includes church organ music . Its a very good way to hear the music while just standing doing nothing. it allows you to memorise the music and how it is to be timed with every key note. Besides my friends this is Glenn Gould enjoy!!!! Brilliance in its best form.
The humming is beautiful, like his playing. I love the way he picks out part of the melody to hum. Its like an insight into his mind. It expressive his love for the melody. Its like he wants to sing to it, out of respect and appreciation and love. Gould is the greatest pianist of our generation. And Bach is the greatest of all the composers.
After watching a few documentaries on this profound and amazing man, I was told that this was what played at his funeral. I can only imagine, that the tears began not when the first key was struck, but the first word was sung.
The warm nice evening of September 10, 2001 in Germany… I had the urge to play Goldberg variations , repeating the Aria so many times and feeling very sad - without any reason. the shock came the next afternoon around 15: 30 in my Radio on my shelve…then I knew…
+michaelinminn This piece is very hard, and there are not so many good performances on YT. Its seems simple but the phrasing is damned difficult. Beautiful piece that drives me into tears!
Abraham, thanks for your comment. At my wedding, I asked my piano teacher, Wim Ibes, to play this piece at the Offertory. I had no idea. He played it, with great aplomb, but later told me just how difficult this 'simple tune' really was. Gould and Ibes make it sound easy, but, that shows just how good they were/are.
It is so strange - I listen to this Aria by Glenn. And it happens so many a times in my day. And I never get tired. It is always as wonderful and uplifting as for the first time. Magic?
I agree....He is the master when it comes to JS Bach. Gould delivers exquisite phrasing and emotive power. I never understand those who think he is stilted and who complate of his tempo. Anyway, to each his own. I stand by my opinion.
Initially thought this version was painfully slower than Gould's Greatest Hits album. Now trying to re-learn the Aria, the tempo is a good instructional speed and starting to grow on me 😁 definitely an acquired taste to one familiar with the faster version. Love this song.... I want to record myself playing and have my family play it at my funeral. 💕
Every time that I hear this makes me feel so sad but so happy is like inexplicable feeling, I feel so peace inside , when I close my eyes I can imagine that I´m in other space, dimension in other world, Thanks God, to create My love Bach and Glenn ´cause they play the most beautiful and peachfull songs....
The hardest thing with playing Bach is to make it sound like the unfolding & building of a spider web...with no interruptions ,no patches here & there...just a continuous uninterrupted process guided by the intelligence of its creator until this beautiful web is formed.Gould is the master of that....plus his sound & concept is divine...Thank you kanfoosj for this gift....
Gould's 50's recording touched me when Columbia records released it for THE RECORD OF THE MONTH CLUB. Now this marvelous visual version thrills me. My harpsicord teacher, Sylvia Kind said ""he is the genious."
Oh man, it cuts off too early. The original video captured the "hush" motion that his hands make after releasing the final chord. Here, we don't even hear the end of the final chord.
Every time I hear this I am reminded of what iI felt the first time I ever heard it , that it is possibly the best piece of music ever written. And who better to play it than Mr Gould?
The man was the greatest classical pianist ever. His Goldberg Variations are so amazing the almost make me weep. I just sit and listen and the simple beauty of it just washes over me. That's all I have to say about Glenn Gould.
I love this version. To compare it with the 1955 cut show the growth of Gould over the years. So subdued and beautiful. He was a true master, I love hearing him play.
@ingegnermouse Well put, i-mouse! I have always regarded Gould as a sublime and supreme recreator of the music he plays. He is always true to the music, but in such an original and creative way that it seems to have been co-written by the composer and himself. A case of interpretation becoming recreation.
Just beautiful, so sad yet glorious! The sense of immersion with the music is without parallel the genius! the genius! Every note is sweet torture and a privilege.
My friend is like obsessed with the Goldberg Variations (and with good reason) and plays them all the time, but I think this is my favorite to hear him play. It sounds just like this version of Glen Gould's. It has so much emotion in it I could listen to it all day.
The night we spent on the beach listening to the aria was the best moment of my life. Miss you a lot.
I felt that
Are you friends with Glenn Gould?
You are lucky to have such an experience
I'm just answering this comment so you come back, listen and remember again.
"The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity." -Glenn Gould
That is, without a doubt, the best thing I've ever read on You Tube. Thanks for sharing it.
A wonderful place to be
❤
Watch my recording of this aria in my channel
And that exactly how J.S. Bach lived his life.
It's one of those performances you listen to, where you get to the end, and realise you've been forgetting to breathe.
I know exactly how you feel...
I totally agree. An older Gould, tender and gentle.
It is so true....
That was beautiful
You fucking caught me
This is THE version. Nothing equals this. The purest music, played by the master.
amen
Idk man Bach had brown eyes. Glenn wanted to be perfect. Seems narcissistic. Goulda just as good
This is about as close to musical perfection as person can get.
singing is the most pure and direct form of musicality. We must be glad we can have insight in this human from his singing.
My ten year old and I love listening to music together. This is one of our favorites. So perfect.
It makes me really thankful to know there are still parents out there who take the time to just sit down with their kids and explore music. My parents did that with me when I was younger and honestly I can't thank them enough.
broke my heart into a thousand pieces. Wasn't expecting this at all, even tough i heard this million times. An amazing interpretation, out of this world
The beginning of the most beautiful recording
of the Goldberg-Variations
- Glenn's second recording 1981 , at the end of his lifetime ...
(This changed my musical life.)
One of the first CD's I ever bought. I still cherish it.
No one has expressed the inner mathematical precision of Bach with such effortless accuracy.
The most magnificent and spiritual interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variation
Every keyboard stoke touches my heart and soul
May your soul rest in peace Glenn Gould
Ditto
everyone thought glenn was crazy for quitting live performances and focusing completely on recording.
everyone was wrong.
a lot of glenn's 'bizzare' opinions/predictions, time has shown to be correct.
too bad he died young-ish.
glenn would have loved the internet. i can picture him with his own youtube channel, releasing music constantly (maybe even electronic music, one of his predictions for the future of music), and replying to every comment.
Wow you are so right, especially the part about him responding to every comment----he totally seems like that kind of guy. It's funny cause just the other day while lost in thought I looked up at the ceiling and thought "You know, Glenn Gould would've absolutely adored TH-cam..."
I miss Gould very much. But imagining him in the age of the internet as you do brings a smile to my face. I agree: he would have loved every minute of it.
What a dream that would have been!
Boolshit. You have a very wrong opinion of Glenn. It's an absurd.
He recorded so much that if he wanted something new he’d have to record composer he didn’t like, for example Chopin. I would like to see Glenn on the internet really.
This is surely one of the loveliest performances of one of the most beautiful works of art ever written. Gould's playing is perfectly calibrated, and uttered with perfect simplicity.
"Fate and circumstance have returned us to this moment when the teacup shatters.
I forgive you, Will. Will you forgive me?"
Is that Hannibal quote?
@@robertimmanuel577 yes it is
After listening so many so many different versions from different pianists, this is still the best ever, everytime when listening, it's still so touching, absolutely classic
As much as I appreciate and enjoy Lang Lang’s skilled and intelligent improvisations to this Aria, I personally feel that Gould’s simple yet beautiful performance clearly shows how he understands that not everything has to be overly complex. He plays it at a much slower speed than most players do, but that being said, it never gets dull and boring. He seems to connect to the melody as if it is a familiar friend. This is far too beautiful to be even for study music.
Gould is a genius who will live on forever. Just listen to the music and appreciate it for what it's worth. You'll never hear Bach played better than you do right here.
i listen to this every day.i find it profound and enigmatic, like looking at mona lisa's smile.
i dont know why i listen to it, im just drawn to it,
+featherinthewind333 its your soul that is drawn to it
Interesting to compare it to Mona Lisa's smile. I feel something similar. Almost a deep sense of maternal consolation and forgiveness. Especially at the end, where it feels as though I'm being gently hushed with a hypnotic lullaby...
@@blackcoffee7903
Una leyenda cuenta que el aria fue creada como una canción para facilitar el sueño del tal señor Goldberg, quien padecía de insomnio
Glenn Gould is one of the greatest musicians in this planet! Thanks God we have so many magnificent musicians, they r like stars and geniuses that illuminate our path and purify our spirit!
I love them ,I love Bach, I love Glenn Gould!
I've never heard such a simple piece of music played in such a fascinating way. He had some form of synesthesia for sure. Just the way he sort of bonds his voice to the notes of the piano...makes me wonder if the humming wasn't so much a habit as it was an intentional means of making the piano more resonant and voice-like. Not to mention it gives the recordings an eerie & wistful quality. It almost sounds like an elderly man gently weeping in another room...especially when he enters the minor key. Chilling...
in his first recording of it in 1955 he played it much faster. This tempo is much better in my opinion.
In my opinion, at this level of playing, there is no better or worse, only examples.
I also like igor levit way to play...
Igor Levit adds that isn't in originsl Bach... too show off ... but is nice
this is my favorite version as well. better than the 1982 version which is release by sony music in 2015.
This is what greatness sounds like: Bach and Gould !
The whole world stops whilst Glenn Gould plays this Aria. We are hearing Divine Genius.
2:08 it gives me gooesbumps. its so beautiful. brings tears to my eyes
The audio on this video is excellent, you can hear him humming along with the music. Truly a magnificent piece, played by an excellent pianist.
Magnifique, musique jouer avec émotion, Glen Gould nous fait partager un grand moment de l'histoire, merci pour cette oeuvre prestigieuse.
This is a fantastic performance. Headbanger
SHOUT UP PLIIIIS !!!!!!
I would spend the rest of my life only listening to this piece.
You know, a lot of people have complained about Gould's mumbling and groaning while he plays piano, saying it takes away from the music, but I think it adds to it. It makes it more...his. I don't think it would complete without it.
Can you see the expression on his face? The passion , respect and love he had for music? Such a genius
the descending slow notes starting at 2:06 give me the chills. beautiful.
This fills my entire being with unbelievable peace.
Glenn Gould and JS Bach's Aria - the best of their best. From the first note, sublime perfection.
Today 30 years from his death. 4th Oct 1982. may his spirit live as long as Bach
I have listened to many piano solo's in my life and after a while I got sick of them, but this, I've played over and over and I have never manged to gain sickness of this piano solo
His humming -I find amusing- sometimes make me laugh , but his playing is priceless. This piece is one of my most loved
Magnifique...pour toujours. Merci à vous.
Who cannot like this? I am in wonder. I have many friends who although listen to Rock, hard rock, metal, Pop, Electronic, alternative and world are simply in awe with this.
Merveilleuse interprétation de Gould.
This is the best Bach music I want to listen to again and again...
Goulds vocalization is a direct interpretation in his mind as to what the music should sound like. Most players will do this, Myself included. I play very well and have for 30 years. I have to hear myself hum the music as I play. This includes church organ music . Its a very good way to hear the music while just standing doing nothing. it allows you to memorise the music and how it is to be timed with every key note. Besides my friends this is Glenn Gould enjoy!!!! Brilliance in its best form.
Glenn Gould is without a doubt the greatest pianist to have been born in the last hundred years. The man was a pure genius.
Sublime. Every nuance of this interpretation is spot on.
Extremely serviceable to the composition. Bach would be proud.
i love that you can hear him singing melodically.
The humming is beautiful, like his playing. I love the way he picks out part of the melody to hum. Its like an insight into his mind. It expressive his love for the melody. Its like he wants to sing to it, out of respect and appreciation and love.
Gould is the greatest pianist of our generation. And Bach is the greatest of all the composers.
After watching a few documentaries on this profound and amazing man, I was told that this was what played at his funeral. I can only imagine, that the tears began not when the first key was struck, but the first word was sung.
The warm nice evening of September 10, 2001 in Germany…
I had the urge to play Goldberg variations , repeating the Aria so many times and feeling very sad - without any reason. the shock came the next afternoon around 15: 30 in my Radio on my shelve…then I knew…
The phrasing's perfect. A 'simple tune', but Gould gets just it right.
+michaelinminn This piece is very hard, and there are not so many good performances on YT. Its seems simple but the phrasing is damned difficult. Beautiful piece that drives me into tears!
Abraham, thanks for your comment. At my wedding, I asked my piano teacher, Wim Ibes, to play this piece at the Offertory. I had no idea. He played it, with great aplomb, but later told me just how difficult this 'simple tune' really was.
Gould and Ibes make it sound easy, but, that shows just how good they were/are.
This piece of music is my safe home.i love it, even more than humans!
une sensibilité extrême au bout des doigts, une véritable perle
The cords feel perfect with Gould humming
He is genius. I realized it when I was 14.
Still now I really like his works.
His voice makes it sound even more soothing and sweet
Praise God for such a talent! So beautiful!
I hope I get to hear every pianist hum while playing this piece.. imagine how beautiful and different it would all sound 🥰
It is so strange - I listen to this Aria by Glenn. And it happens so many a times in my day. And I never get tired. It is always as wonderful and uplifting as for the first time. Magic?
An absolutely exquisite piece of music played by an amazing pianist.
This is my favourite version. Truly sublime.
I agree....He is the master when it comes to JS Bach. Gould delivers exquisite phrasing and emotive power. I never understand those who think he is stilted and who complate of his tempo. Anyway, to each his own. I stand by my opinion.
Initially thought this version was painfully slower than Gould's Greatest Hits album. Now trying to re-learn the Aria, the tempo is a good instructional speed and starting to grow on me 😁 definitely an acquired taste to one familiar with the faster version. Love this song.... I want to record myself playing and have my family play it at my funeral. 💕
I've never heard such expressive playing of Bach. . . Incredible nuance.
One of the songs I've put in my final will and testament that is to be played on my funeral.
Every time that I hear this makes me feel so sad but so happy is like inexplicable feeling, I feel so peace inside , when I close my eyes I can imagine that I´m in other space, dimension in other world, Thanks God, to create My love Bach and Glenn ´cause they play the most beautiful and peachfull songs....
Glen Gould Gran pianista y compositor, oírlo te suspende el alma y tu corazón te lo agradece
The hardest thing with playing Bach is to make it sound like the unfolding & building of a spider web...with no interruptions ,no patches here & there...just a continuous uninterrupted process guided by the intelligence of its creator until this beautiful web is formed.Gould is the master of that....plus his sound & concept is divine...Thank you kanfoosj for this gift....
wspaniałe,cudowne ,genialne.Jak krople deszczu po upalmym dniu.
This is just the right tempo for this piece. Just marvelous and beautiful!
A bliss. Pure perfection.
Gould's 50's recording touched me when Columbia records released it for THE RECORD OF THE MONTH CLUB. Now this marvelous visual version thrills me. My harpsicord teacher, Sylvia Kind said ""he is the genious."
i can't believe how beautiful the sound is.
This is a spiritual interpretation! Amazing! Gould is unique!
Oh man, it cuts off too early. The original video captured the "hush" motion that his hands make after releasing the final chord. Here, we don't even hear the end of the final chord.
The master at work, even Bach would be impressed
Every time I hear this I am reminded of what iI felt the first time I ever heard it , that it is possibly the best piece of music ever written.
And who better to play it than Mr Gould?
The man was the greatest classical pianist ever.
His Goldberg Variations are so amazing the almost make me weep.
I just sit and listen and the simple beauty of it just washes over me. That's all I have to say about Glenn Gould.
Simply beautiful.
I love this version. To compare it with the 1955 cut show the growth of Gould over the years. So subdued and beautiful. He was a true master, I love hearing him play.
He's my favorite composer, and favorite pianist!
A beautiful genius.
@ingegnermouse
Well put, i-mouse! I have always regarded Gould as a sublime and supreme recreator of the music he plays. He is always true to the music, but in such an original and creative way that it seems to have been co-written by the composer and himself. A case of interpretation becoming recreation.
"every beginning has an end and yet this is the end but also the beginning."
OK
듣고 들어도 항상
늙어 눈 감을때까지 듣고싶은 명곡이다..
+유종완
난 완전히 당신과 동의
The best performance ever
Beyond Perfection
My heart is melting all the time.
...it's very comforting to believe that, if there is a Heaven (and i personally feel there is) that Bach finally has someone to talk with ..♫
wat geweldig is hij en met hem Bach
it is beautiful music, nice hearing that
Just beautiful, so sad yet glorious! The sense of immersion with the music is without parallel the genius! the genius! Every note is sweet torture and a privilege.
this work is the perfection of the music!
ogni commento per illuminato che sia è sempre decisamente riduttivo di fronte a cotanta genialità e cuore!! grazie
best version i found on youtube AMAZING!!
What a graceful performance of a hauntingly beautlful piece!
No one ever understood Bach like he did.
A must see film for lovers of Glenn Gould:
"The Genius Within Glenn Gould" A true musical giant/a legend
Ready when you are, Sergeant Pembry!
Celestiale!
inconmensurable.
My goal is to be able to play this perfectly in the next five years
My friend is like obsessed with the Goldberg Variations (and with good reason) and plays them all the time, but I think this is my favorite to hear him play. It sounds just like this version of Glen Gould's. It has so much emotion in it I could listen to it all day.
simply beautiful.