[fractus2]

I'm really loving these recordings. Recommended by Blessingx, I got it off amazon for $14.99 before shipping. Included is some very classy packaging (tri fold with a pamphlet, three disc set). Click on the pic below and read up on Glenn Gould, a very interesting guy. The bonus disc has an interview with the man himself and commentary on the music. How awesome is that. Imagine that, getting quality music in a beautiful package that is feature rich.

 

[adhoc]

i daresay that this set of cds is difficult to thoroughly enjoy on headphones due to gould 'humming' during his recitals.

 

[blessingx]

Adhoc, my response was the opposite. These recordings were the first to show me the value of decent headphones. They didn't just make recordings sound better, they revealed new things in the recordings.

I know Gould's recordings can get slammed for this, but why? Why is his humming inherently in opposition to the sound coming from the piano?

 

[gpalmer]

I'd heard these were good, I look forward to giving them a try!

 

[fractus2]

Quote:

i daresay that this set of cds is difficult to thoroughly enjoy on headphones due to gould 'humming' during his recitals.

Yeah, he hums and also "conducts" with his free hand when not in use. It sounded really weird at first, then after I figured out what it was, IMO, found it enjoyable.

 

[Wodgy]

You can hear his humming on a good speaker system too. I've always felt that it adds a level of emotion to the music.

For those interested in the 1981 recording, it's worth checking out the original, non-remastered version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...791727-0310545
Personally, I tend to prefer this recording to the new remastered version, but both are very good.

 

[RickG]

Have you ever listened to Erroll Garner? He "grunts" and "moans" while he he plays some of the greatest jazz you'll ever hear on the piano.

Just listen to him "grunt" his way through the beautiful
composition entitled Misty ...

 

[AdamP88]

I've always been annoyed by Gould's humming (I've got a recording of him playing a Mozart sonata, and the humming drives me up the wall), but I don't really mind it too much on A State Of Wonder. The playing is simply incredible, and overall the humming isn't all that bad, though when it comes down to it I'd prefer he didn't hum.

Anyway, I'd highly recommend this set. Very well mastered, too.

 

[fractus2]

Quote:

Originally posted by RickG Have you ever listened to Erroll Garner? He "grunts" and "moans" while he he plays some of the greatest jazz you'll ever hear on the piano. Just listen to him "grunt" his way through the beautiful composition entitled Misty ...

Haven't listened to him, yet. I've got to check him out though. Another artist that really gets into his music in that way is Thelonious Monk. I've got Straight, No Chaser and Brilliant Corners. Great stuff.

 

[Lindy]

I don't have that particular set, but the two recordings in question have been in my CD collection for years. Simply amazing stuff. The contrast between the '55 version and the '81 version is quite striking. Myself, I prefer the '55 version -- fast, energetic, brilliant.

If you're at all interested in Glenn Gould, there's a film called "Thirty Two Short Films about Glenn Gould" that's pretty good. He really was an eccentric.

Gould's grunting doesn't bother me too much. Sometimes I think Keith Jarrett goes overboard though.

 

[Calanctus]

You pushed me over the edge...

I had been considering this CD, now I've ordered it.

 

[pcolbeck]

>>You pushed me over the edge... I had been considering this CD, now I've ordered it.

You wont be sorry, its a fantastic set. Personally I prefer the 1981 recording for the slower more deliberate pace but both are great. I thought I was going mad when first heard the humming - I didn't know anything about Glenn Gould at the time. I have heard purists complain about these recordings as he takes liberties with the score (misisng out some repeats and adding others) but for pure emotion you can't beat them.

Pat

 

[fractus2]

If you are a fan of either recording you should get this set, if only for the commentary with G. Gould and Tim Page. Interestingly, Gould prefers the 82 recording over the 55. [] They say he stopped performing live to work more on sound recording so maybe he recorded the 82 version with the advent of the compact disc. The interview is very interesting anyway. You can read all the reviews in the world but you can't beat hearing the artist himself speak of his art.

 

[Calanctus]

Quote:

Originally posted by pcolbeck [B I thought I was going mad when first heard the humming - I didn't know anything about Glenn Gould at the time. [/B]

heh, I think it was Gould who was going mad...or at least becoming more and more eccentric. That has no bearing on his artistic greatness, of course, but some are of the opinion that the real reason he stopped giving concerts was that he simply could not go before the public any more.

 

[niubi]

as you may recall in the interview they note that in some respects the speed of the 55 recording is an illusion because gould didn't observe the repeats; had he done so, the timing for both recordings would have been very similar.