Glenn Gould, Johann Sebastian Bach - The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II at Music Hills.com

Music CD 1

Prelude And Fugue No.1 In C Major, BWV 870: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.1 In C Major, BWV 870: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 871: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 871: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 872: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 872: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 873: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 873: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 874: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 874: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 875: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 875: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In D-Sharp Minor, BWV 877: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In D-Sharp Minor, BWV 877: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 879: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 879: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 880: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 880: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 881: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 881: Fuga

Music CD 2

Prelude And Fugue No. 13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 882: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 882: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 883: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 883: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 15 In G Major, BWV 884: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 15 In G Major, BWV 884: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 16 In G Minor, BWV 885: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 16 In G Minor, BWV 885: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 886: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 886: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 887: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 887: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 19 In A Major, BWV 888: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 19 In A Major, BWV 888: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 20 In A Minor, BWV 889: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 20 In A Minor, BWV 889: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 890: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 890: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 891: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 891: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 23 In B Major, BWV 892: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 23 In B Major, BWV 892: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, BWV 893: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, BWV 893: Fuga

Music reviews of The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

Music Review: My Favorite WTC
Rating: 5 Stars

The Well Tempered Clavier (WTC) consists of two books, both of which are comprised of a prelude and fugue written in each of the major and minor keys of western music. Because there are twelve major keys, and twelve related minor keys, each book of the WTC is comprised of 24 prelude and fugues. One enjoyable aspect of the WTC for the new listener is that, because all of the major and minor keys are presented in a systematic way, one is able to discern what is most appealing to the listener's unique sensibilities. Perhaps you will find that you prefer major to minor, or vice versa. Perhaps you will find a handful of key signatures that you think are preferable, and that can be the foundation for further exploration into other pieces of music written in the same key.

I own a number of recordings of J.S. Bach's WTC. I happen to like book II better than book I, and this rendition is undoubtedly my favorite of them all. Gould's sense of rhythm is impeccable, and it is that aspect that makes this recording so stunning. The pulse is extraordinary, the ornamentation is played with extreme verve, and Gould's technical abilities and musicianship are more than adequate to keep strict time throughout. I also really appreciate the fact that Gould keeps his foot off the pedal, unlike Richter, or Fischer, or any number of the other standard recordings. A powerful and distinct rhythmic momentum should be felt throughout these works. It is also essential to maintain the clarity of each voice, and the pedal, or reverberation in general, can obscure both rhythm and clarity in the context of polyphonic music. Gould is able to bring distinctness to each voice in a way that is entirely unique.

With that said, Gould does have some singular ideas about tempo. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. For an incredible example of when it works, listen to to his remarkable rendering of the prelude and the fugue in C#-Major. Both, but particularly the fugue, are taken at extremely slow tempos. The result is extraordinary. This is hands down my favorite recording of Bach's WTC. In my opinion, no other recording compares to this one.

The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II