If you are not familiar, the words Gould and Bach are as close a match to bread and butter. This is not to say all performances by Gould of Bach are such a close match, or should be considered such. But when it comes to the Goldberg Variations, perhaps no other piano recording is more important in terms of its impact on music history. Would Bach’s Goldberg Variations be performed so frequently if not for Gould? Sure, a few other pianists had performed the variations before Gould, but Gould put the piece “on the map.” Still, there is a debate, yes! Some feel that his late recording in 1981 is better than his first recording in 1955. And let’s not forget Salzburg just after 1955 (live and unedited, we know Gould loved editing!). Or how about the video of Gould playing variations? The 1955 is the most dazzling, the most unique. But regardless of which performance, Gould
