Elena Barshai - J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations (2007)

  • 15 Sep, 10:26
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Artist:
Title: J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations
Year Of Release: 2007
Label: Brilliant Classics
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue,log,scans)
Total Time: 01:15:57
Total Size: 396 Mb
WebSite:

Tracklist:

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
01. Aria (2:40)
02. Variation 1 - a 1 clavier (2:10)
03. Variation 2 - a 1 clavier (2:04)
04. Variation 3 - canone all' unisono a 1 clavier (2:12)
05. Variation 4 - a 1 clavier (1:16)
06. Variation 5 - a 1 ovvero 2 claviere (1:49)
07. Variation 6 - canone alla seconda a 1 clavier (1:32)
08. Variation 7 - a 1 ovvero 2 claviere (2:02)
09. Variation 8 - a 2 claviere (1:55)
10. Variation 9 - canone alla terza a 1 clavier (2:23)
11. Variation 10 - fughetta a 1 clavier (2:15)
12. Variation 11 - a 2 claviere (2:00)
13. Variation 12 - canone alla quarta (2:45)
14. Variation 13 - a 2 claviere (3:20)
15. Variation 14 - a 2 claviere (2:31)
16. Variation 15 - canone alla quinta in moto contrario a 1 clavier (2:28)
17. Variation 16 - ouverture a 1 clavier (3:36)
18. Variation 17 - a 2 claviere (1:51)
19. Variation 18 - canone alla sesta a 1 clavier (2:10)
20. Variation 19 - a 1 clavier (1:19)
21. Variation 20 - a 2 claviere (2:07)
22. Variation 21 - canone alla settima (2:34)
23. Variation 22 - alla breve a 1 clavier (2:06)
24. Variation 23 - a 2 claviere (2:32)
25. Variation 24 - canone all'ottava a 1 clavier (2:51)
26. Variation 25 - a 2 claviere (4:25)
27. Variation 26 - a 2 claviere (2:45)
28. Variation 27 - canone alla nona (2:05)
29. Variation 28 - a 2 claviere (2:25)
30. Variation 29 - a 1 ovvero 2 claviere (2:44)
31. Variation 30 - quodlibet a 1 clavier (2:43)
32. Aria da capo (2:45)

Performers:
Elena Barshai, organ

If you want to hear Bach's Goldberg Variations on the organ, Elena Barshai's recording is the most artistically and stylistically viable edition available. Her crisp articulation and buoyant (though never rushed) tempos are matched by the Metzler organ's brightly lit registrations captured in a vivid and clear multi-track recording. As a result, the rapid passagework in the cross-handed variations rarely if ever blurs. The playing is direct and relatively unadorned when compared to artists who relish ornamentation upon repeats. Although Barshai doesn't relate the variations through a common pulse or go directly from one into the next, a sense of continuity and unity nevertheless emerges. A most enjoyable release, and the price can't be beat. -- Jed Distler