Description:

One year before the legendary debut recording--the first complete Goldberg recordings of Gould's early years that are currently available in sound. Gould's debut recording of the Goldberg Variations was made in June 1955. Although Gould had played the Variations several times in concert before that, the only recording that survives is the live broadcast of his appearance on a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) radio program in June 1954, which is included on this disc. Gould himself had the disc recorded for his own listening and recording purposes, and it was discovered among his belongings after his death. The recording clearly shows Gould's unenthusiastic presentation of his own interpretation in front of a microphone for live broadcasts. The high level of Gould's playing technique as a pianist, the superb polishing of the individuality of each of the 30 variations, and the unwavering sense of structure that envelops them all in the outburst and the da capo aria at the end highlight the high affinity between the Goldberg Variations, which have become a byword for Gould. This is the world's first LP release. (C)RS