Gustav Leonhardt plays Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988

J.S.Bach, Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

Gustav Leonhardt (1928-2012), harpsichord

Recorded in Teldec, 1965

Pictures from the first edition of the score published by Balthasar Schmids, 1741

May Master Rest in Peace.

[pierocampi]

After years of hearing the Goldberg Variations performed by many other performers on piano, harp, clavichord or whatever, returning back to Leonhardt/harpsichord performance is extremely refreshing!!!

[ymat]

2:45 Var 1，4:18 var 2，5:18 var 3，6:20 var 4, 6:55 var 5, 7:57 var 6, 8:52 var 7, 9:56 var 8, 11:17 var 9, 12:23 var 10, 13:16 var 11, 14:42 var 12, 16:30 var 13, 19:24 var 14, 20:41 var 15, 23:22 var 16, 24:55 var 17, 25:59 var 18, 26:45 var 19, 27:40 var 20, 28:54 var 21, 31:00 var 22, 31:49 var 23, 33:10 var 24, 35:06 var 25, 39:28 var 26, 40:40 var 27, 41:44 var 28, 43:14 var 29, 44:23 var 30, 45:30 aria.

[bachkirche]

Leonhardt was such a talent, and helped bring back the art of Cembalo playing to the twentieth century and beyond. I was lucky to study harpsichord for 8 years from one of his grand pupils and I am most thankful for that.

[kefaad]

Usually I begin my day playing the first aria on my spinet. This piece gives me the divine harmony I need to endure a hard day....

[gialoctran]

Je conserve encore la cassette Goldberg Variations signé par Gustav Leonhardt lui-même à Montréal il y a environ 30 ans. Il jouait dans une petite église. Je l'attendais impatiemment devant la porte de l'église, un bouquet de fleurs dans les mains.
I still keep the Goldberg Variations cassette signed by Gustav Leonhardt himself in Montreal about 30 years ago. He was playing in a small church. I waited for him impatiently in front of the church door, a bouquet of flowers in my hands.

[Egill]

Marvelous! Now I see why this performer played Bach's organ music so well. He could grasp the very spirit of Baroque and the music of the period, I would say. 

[LeVezz]

the way lower notes sound as loud as upper ones is very important in Bach's music especially this piece. We can ear the singularity of each voice much better than on a piano .

[MiskoKatua]

Just close your eyes and imagine how our Musical Father would be playing this! No one like J.S. Bach!

[norsamoth]

Nothing like this. So beautiful at bringing out all of Bach's mastery and soul. So expressive on an instrument that is so difficult to be so. Perfect in every way.

[abdelrahmanalsharif]

I feel that the Variations played on the harpsichord revive the essence and spirit of 18th century Europe, that doesn't take away from the sheer exquisiteness of Gould's interpretation, which I enjoyed and repeated innumerable times. I'm no expert of classical music, but this is how I feel anyway.

[robycheff]

A great performance, as always: insightful, inspiring and exhilarating. The late Master never disappoints.

[Undertakereva]

I prefer the sound and feel of the harpsichord. More alive, the music arrives like experience, sudden and entire. The piano has the quality of a memory.

[robycheff]

Those people who have disliked this extraordinary rendering of the Maestro are plain idiots!!!

[salvatore]

spero tu possa suonare così fra i pascoli celesti, maestro Gustav! Invidio gli angeli...

[ckxx]

I never get tired of listening to this.  Is it the most satisfying musical composition ever written?

[walterbishop]

It feels like drinking the old wine, Cheers!

[Eduardo-duoe]

I will like to personally thank you uploader of this magnificent compilation of musical epiphanies. Truly its composer was a man which celebrated the human nature to an almost divine height. Its interpreter, simply exaltates his passion with every keyboard which he presses. The love and longing is simply sublime.
You have truly aided me in writing some of my most beautiful verses I could ever compose. A Heartwarming thank you, indeed.

[TheUgo]

Compostezza, chiarezza espressiva, tempo per ogni cosa (perfino gli abbellimenti sono "comodi")... Magnifico!
Rest in peace, Master!

[paulharris]

On the harpsichord the music sounds happier.

[W.Heisenberg]

Came here because of Hannibal tv show. Such an amazing music