Thread: Goldberg Variations: Gould 30th Anniversary Special Edition (SACD, DVD, Blu-Spec) September 2012

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Post by pacwin June 22, 2012 (1 of 28)
30th Anniversary Special Edition: Goldberg Variations Glenn Gould / Bach
Sony Music SICC 10150

12-Disc Limited Edition (3SACD Hybrid, 2DVD, 7Blu-spec CD)
Anniversary release Glenn Gould's birth 30 years 80 years after his death /

1955 recording of what was the name of the worldwide fame of the young Glenn Gould "Goldberg Variations". Re-recording "Goldberg Variations" in 1981 which was released about a month ago to close the life and Gould. "Goldberg Variations" of these two is the recording of two that can not be essential in considering the music of its own life and Gould, has been handed down to listen to the new generation as a board representative of Gould even now.
Our box set to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of the "Goldberg Variations" for the second time, especially in the latest version DSD remastering of the "Goldberg Variations" of the two kinds, a separate specification for each version and Out Takes covered, until the video works, and over an interview with Tim Paige live version of one of the first three types, including the performance, this work further for Gould, all that follow in the footsteps of Gould on the "Goldberg Variations" You can.
Takes out during the session was released in 1981, the world's first sound broadcast of CBC in 1954 and 1958 was released first from Sony Classical.
Japanese release only, DSD remastering in 2012 (CD 1955, CD 1981, analog compilation album in 1981). Japanese release only Blu-Spec specification (TM). (SONY)

[Song] will be recorded: order of songs and recording the contents are current as of June 11, 2012.

DISC1: SACD Hybrid (only Japanese edition DSD remastered = 2012)
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
June 10, 1955, Sun recording location 14-16: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: mono (session)
(Released in 1956)

DISC2: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV.988 out more Takes
A. Aria take a
Take the first two one variations.
Variations take the second one 3.
Take the second variation 2 4.
Take the second variation 5 11A.
6 Variations third.
Take a fourth variation 7.
Take 2 4 8 Variations.
7 Variations 9 take fourth.
Take 8 10 Variations fourth.
To describe the (quodlibet) Variation 30 of the 11.
Play the quodlibet own 12. Gould ("Stars and Stripes" "God Save the King" +)
13 Variations fifth.
6 Variation 14.
15 Variations 9.
Variation 11 16.
June 10, 1955, the recording location - 16 14: 23 17 Variations recording time. New York, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: mono (session)
(Release Date: 2005 13-1-12:2002 '17)

DISC3: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
June 10, 1955, Sun recording location 14-16: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: mono (session)
(Released in stereo / 1968 pseudo-)

DISC4: SACD Hybrid (only Japanese edition DSD remastered = 2012)
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
22 to 25 April 1981, May 15, 19, 29 recording location: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: stereo (digital / session)
(Released in 1982)

DISC5: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: Goldberg Variations out more BWV.988 Takes (TBA contents in Release: World's First)
April 1981, May recorded location: New York recording, studio recording method-chome, Columbia 30: Digital (session)

DISC6: SACD Hybrid (only Japanese edition DSD remastered = 2012)
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
22 to 25 April 1981, May 15, 19, 29 recording location: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: stereo (analog / session)
(Released / 2002 compilation album Analog)

DISC7: Blu-spec CD
• For the new recording "Goldberg Variations" Dialogue with Tim and Paige ~ Glenn Gould (released 1982)
A. Opening
To re-record that two.
Than listen to 3. Aria
Secret of the 4. Tempo
- 5. Up to 18 from Variations Variations 16 (new record) -
The importance of the six. System
25 7 Variations of skepticism.
8 discussion of musical instrument.
(Up to 10 variations from variations 1) new recording - 9. -
Recording 10 Outro:. August 22, 1982, Toronto

· From BWV.988 Goldberg Variations
A. Aria
3rd Variation 2.
6 Variation 3.
9 Variation of four.
12 Variations 5.
15 Variations 6.
27 Variations recording time: 7. April 23, 1964, 24 (June 3, 1964, from "Concert for four Wednesday" aired CBC)

DISC8: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
June 21, 1954 recording location: Toronto recording time, CBC
Recording method: mono (session)
(From / Sony Classical's first recording was released CBC)

DISC9: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
(Live at the International Music Festival Vancouver) mono: Vancouver, recording method Orufeumu theater Location: July 23, 1958 recording: Recording time
(Released in the first Van / Authorized included CBC)

DISC10: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
(Live at the Salzburg Festival) mono: Salzburg, the Mozarteum recording method Location: August 25, 1959 recording: Recording time
(Released in years / 1993 recording ORF)

DISC11: DVD
Director - "Goldberg Variations": John Mont-St-Bruno
Interaction with the Mont-St-John Bruno. 1 Introduction
Two. BWV.988 Variations Goldberg (Goldberg) (Complete)
(Aired October 17, 1983) New York, 30th Street Studio Location: recorded April-May 1981 period included

Duration: 58 minutes Screen: Color, 4:3
Linear PCM Stereo NTSC: voice

DISC12: DVD
Goldberg Variations JS-than BWV.988
A. Aria
3rd Variation 2.
6 Variation 3.
9 Variation of four.
12 Variations 5.
15 Variations 6.
27 Variations recording time: 7. April 23, 1964, 24 (June 3, 1964, from "Concert for four Wednesday" aired on CBC)

The 1st "Dialogue with Glenn Gould" (aired March 15, 1966) 1966: Bach recording

Duration: 65 minutes screen: Monochrome, 4:3
Linear PCM monaural NTSC: voice
Post by sunnydaler June 22, 2012 (2 of 28)
Post by seth June 22, 2012 (3 of 28)
The amount of effort Sony puts into re-re-re-re-issuing these two recordings every other year while only managing to put out a few new recordings each year is simply mind blowing. You'd think that there is a staffer at Sony whose sole job is to figure out how to keep milking money from these recordings.
Post by canonical June 22, 2012 (4 of 28)
Whee carumbah ... I think this is actually very exciting.

I have several versions of Glenn Gould doing the Goldbergs:

* 1955 First studio recording: Analog recording (on CD) ... I find this far too fast, and although this is the recording that unleashed Gould to stardom, I think it is his least interesting recording of the work.

* 1957 Moscow recital … extracts … A bit like the 1955 ... far too fast, and almost out of control ... and he gets tired towards the end.

* 1959 Salzburg Recital Live: analog recording (on CD): astonishing ... perhaps the finest and deepest Goldbergs.

* 1981 Second Studio recording: Much slower, deeper and simply superb.
This was recorded both in 'new' digital and in analog (as a backup). I have this:
a) On CD (from the digital recording)
b) On CD (from the analog recording)
c) On SACD (inappropriately, from the 14? bit 44.1 kHz (or thereabouts) digital recording). Sounds worse than the CD version (a) it is derived from.


SO WHAT'S NEW ???
===============


* 1955 on SACD, for the first time
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


------DISC1: SACD Hybrid (only Japanese edition DSD remastered = 2012)
------June 10, 1955, Sun recording location 14-16: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: mono (session)


This does not interest me so much, because I am not that mad about the performance, and the quality of the original 1955 recording leaves me wanting. But it is certainly nice that it will be available.



* 1981 on SACD, for the first time, from the ANALOG master tapes
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


------DISC6: SACD Hybrid (only Japanese edition DSD remastered = 2012)
------22 to 25 April 1981: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: stereo (analog / session) (Released / 2002 compilation album Analog)

The current version on SACD (circa 1999):

Bach: Goldberg Variations - Glenn Gould

is an engineering misfire ... it was produced from the early digital recording (1981), is obviously limited by what it is ... i.e. being an early CD recording ... and it's transfer to SACD was rather pointless, since the recording resolution of the original was not even CD quality, so gained nothing by placing it on SACD. In my view, the 1999 SACD actually sounds worse than the standard CD.

What Sony should have done ... and ARE NOW doing (if I understand correctly) ... is take the 1981 analog master tapes (only re-discovered in 2002), and direct convert them to DSD ... hopefully unleashing in the process the closest we will ever get to the original 1981 studio performance.


I am really excited about this ... if done properly ... and I am sure Sony will do it well ..., this will be the ultimate Goldbergs. Just hope I don't have to buy the whole set to get it :)
Post by canonical June 22, 2012 (5 of 28)
Also of note, albeit not on SACD, is:

DISC10: Blu-spec CD
· JS Bach: BWV.988 Goldberg Variations (Complete)
(Live at the Salzburg Festival) mono: Salzburg, the Mozarteum recording method Location: August 25, 1959 recording: Recording time
(Released in years / 1993 recording ORF)

The 1959 Salzburg recital is very difficult to find ... and quite brilliant. This is probably not the whole recital ... pity it is not on SACD though. The recording quality is very good for 1959 ... and for a live performance.
Post by seth June 22, 2012 (6 of 28)
canonical said:


------DISC6: SACD Hybrid (only Japanese edition DSD remastered = 2012)
------22 to 25 April 1981: New York recording time, 30 Columbia Street studio recording method: stereo (analog / session) (Released / 2002 compilation album Analog)

The current version on SACD (circa 1999)

Bach: Goldberg Variations - Glenn Gould

is an engineering misfire ... it was produced from the early digital recording (1981), is obviously limited by what it is ... i.e. being an early CD recording ... and it's transfer to SACD was rather pointless, since the recording resolution of the original was not even CD quality, so gained nothing by placing it on SACD. In my view, the 1999 SACD actually sounds worse than the standard CD.

What Sony should have done ... and ARE NOW doing (if I understand correctly) ... is take the 1981 analog master tapes (only re-discovered in 2002), and direct convert them to DSD ... hopefully unleashing in the process the closest we will ever get to the original 1981 studio performance.


I am really excited about this ... if done properly ... and I am sure Sony will do it well ..., this will be the ultimate Goldbergs. Just hope I don't have to buy the whole set to get it :)
For the record, the 2002 "State of Wonder" 3 disc CD set uses a DSD transfer of the 1981 analog master. Obviously not SACD, but it has been available for a while.

According to the info above, the same transfer is being used.

At ~$225 I'll stick with the DSD transfers on CD in the "State of Wonder" set.
Post by canonical June 22, 2012 (7 of 28)
seth said:

For the record, the 2002 "State of Wonder" 3 disc CD set uses a DSD transfer of the 1981 analog master. Obviously not SACD, but it has been available for a while.

According to the info above, the same transfer is being used.

At ~$225 I'll stick with the DSD transfers on CD in the "State of Wonder" set.
Yes - aside from the cost issue (and it remains to be seen if one will be able to buy these individually) -
why should a CD downsample of the DSD 'master' be any better than the original CD ... in both cases, you are basically taking a source, and then sampling it at 44.1kHz and throwing out the rest.


Stated somewhat differently ... take, for example:

Copland: Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid etc. - LSO/Copland

This is an analog recording ... Sony created a DSD master from the analog source ... and then created two commercial products from the DSD master:
a) a downsampled CD version
b) straight SACD

I have both, and the SACD version is vastly superior ... even though they both share the same DSD master.

To wit ... I am expecting good things from the first release of the 1981 analog->DSD Goldbergs master on SACD.
Post by Tehillim June 22, 2012 (8 of 28)
seth said:

The amount of effort Sony puts into re-re-re-re-issuing these two recordings every other year while only managing to put out a few new recordings each year is simply mind blowing. You'd think that there is a staffer at Sony whose sole job is to figure out how to keep milking money from these recordings.
The "bestsellers", "best off", "top ten" lists and discussions on internet forums so often center around the same old, same old Dark Side of the Moon, Kind of Blue, etc. and that's why we get them over and over. Classical disc sales barely placate corporate music/entertainment exec's in their Long Island/Santa Barbara homes, and aren't pleasing investors/shareholders. Sony sees profitability in catalog bestsellers and circa 2012 are very risk adverse and lest we forget, Sony has had over a decade of one bad blow-up after another (PS3 security debacle, bad real estate and entertainment investments, etc.) thus we get sure-thing reissues ad naseum.
Post by canonical June 22, 2012 (9 of 28)
Tehillim said:

... thus we get sure-thing reissues ad naseum.
Often that seems true ... but I think this release is quite different. It is a 12 disc set just dedicated to Glenn Gould's performance of a single work: the Goldberg variations. 12 discs! It is almost like an encyclopaedic academic bible containing virtually everything that Gould did with the Goldbergs, with whole discs dedicated to the out-takes ... the 1981 recording provided in both analog->DSD and digital->DSD, an earlier 1954 recording ... it goes on and on.

I don't think this is something that is expected to sell to a large or wide audience ... it seems very, very specialised to me, ... something that will appeal to hard-core Bach collectors and Gould fans, ... and given the small market for such a thing, I think we ... and I use the term 'we' as both a Bach Gould fan and a hi-rez fan ... I think we are very lucky to get something like this.
Post by rammiepie June 22, 2012 (10 of 28)
Tehillim said:

The "bestsellers", "best off", "top ten" lists and discussions on internet forums so often center around the same old, same old Dark Side of the Moon, Kind of Blue, etc. and that's why we get them over and over. Classical disc sales barely placate corporate music/entertainment exec's in their Long Island/Santa Barbara homes, and aren't pleasing investors/shareholders. Sony sees profitability in catalog bestsellers and circa 2012 are very risk adverse and lest we forget, Sony has had over a decade of one bad blow-up after another (PS3 security debacle, bad real estate and entertainment investments, etc.) thus we get sure-thing reissues ad naseum.
No TRUER words were ever spoken. AD NAUSEUM exemplifies Sony's absolute neglect of releasing the plethora of back catalog titles which ironically have all been pretty much DSD~remastered.

The Glenn Gould 'Immersion' boxed set will ONLY appeal to a relatively small number of completists and all that preparation, et alia, could've been applied to releasing NEW titles in the SACD format.

And we are to believe that SONY has a renewed interest in high rez releases? You'd certainly fool me.
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