Superb Bach from Lang Lang

[Sydney Grew]

Lang Lang has just been on the wireless playing the Goldberg Variations. What a masterly pianist he is! And what a strange and indeed unique work!

[Beresford]

I've only heard short clips from Lang Lang, but I was pleasantly surprised, as was Petroc (and you can buy the recording on vinyl!!!). Not so pleasantly surprised by the new recording from Kolesnikov - too much like squeezing pips out of a lemon, in the faster sections.

Anyway I usually prefer the Goldbergs on harpsichord - yesterday evening I listened to Jean Rondeau playing them on the AllofBach website (which also has some good basic blurb). I found his energy / edginess exciting at first, but slightly wearing by the end. Similarly with Celine Frisch on CD.

I find it extraordinary how much of the musical character of the performer reveals itself in their playing of the Goldbergs. Pity there isn't an equivalent for personal relationships - so in 90 minutes you would know how much of your life you want to share with that person (maybe)!

[kernelbogey]

I heard an extract of the Lang Lang on R3, and didn't take to it.

I'm devoted to my CD of the Goldbergs by Beatrice Rana. I recommend it highly.

[richardfinegold]

My first thoughts about the Goldberg Variations played by this Artist were not positive. The Work has acquired a quasi mystical status, and 2Lang has acquired a reputation as being to much of a showman and someone whose extensive concertizing precludes serious artistic growth.
However I was driving and listening to WFMT and tuned in media res without knowing the player and caught the last 15 minutes and was duly impressed. I need another Goldberg in my collection like Jeff Bezos needs another billion dollars but hoping that it’s available on Qobuz

[Pulcinella]

The new release (4CDs) is of two versions: one live (Leipzig church), one studio (Berlin church):

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8796484--j-s-bach-goldberg-variations-bwv988

The studio/Berlin church version seems to be available separately, as a 2CD release:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8796483--j-s-bach-goldberg-variations-bwv988

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I heard an extract on CFM this morning.

The excessive ornamentation, so necessary on the harpsichord, did seem unnecessarily fussy on the modern piano.

[Pulcinella]

I heard an extract on CFM this morning.

The excessive ornamentation, so necessary on the harpsichord, did seem unnecessarily fussy on the modern piano.

So that's what the wireless means in SG's original post is it? I did wonder why he was being coy.

But you were awake at 04:40 too?

[gradus]

Perhaps Bach has tamed Lang Lang, not a pianist whose performances I would turn to.

[antongould]

Complete blind spot for me, but it will always been Gould the Elder since I first heard it ........

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

So that's what the wireless means in SG's original post is it? I did wonder why he was being coy.

But you were awake at 04:40 too?

No, this was on the Aled Jones programme, shortly before 9.00 a.m.

[Bryn]

The new release (4CDs) is of two versions: one live (Leipzig church), one studio (Berlin church):

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8796484--j-s-bach-goldberg-variations-bwv988

The studio/Berlin church version seems to be available separately, as a 2CD release:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...iations-bwv988

The QOBUZ version has even more. After the studio and live versions come 7 edits:

1 Aria (Edit) 02:41
2 Variatio 7 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav. Al tempo di Giga (Edit) 01:10
3 Variatio 13 a 2 Clav. (Edit) 03:07
4 Variatio 15 Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav. Andante (Edit) 03:19
5 Variatio 25 a 2 Clav. Adagio (Edit) 05:14
6 Variatio 26 a 2 Clav. (Edit) 00:57
7 Variatio 30 Quodlibet. a 1 Clav. (Edit) 01:21

There is no explanation or even a listing in the booklet pdf available on that site. The content claimed for each of the first two "CD" listings add up to way over a single CD's capacity, too. Very strange.

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/bach-goldberg-variations-lang-lang/gn9dlwrfhfdvc

[french frank]

Haven't heard anything of the new disc, but watching :-( his performance of the aria on YouTube I thought he might make a pretty decent fist of Schumann. I'm not sure his Goldbergs are for me, though.

[Stanfordian]

Lang Lang has just been on the wireless playing the Goldberg Variations. What a masterly pianist he is! And what a strange and indeed unique work!

For some people Lang Lang can do nothing right!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

For some people Lang Lang can do nothing right!

Envy brings out the worst in people.

[vinteuil]

.

Envy brings out the worst in people.

... what on earth does 'envy' have to do with a dislike of a particular performer's approach?

.