Naxos: 8111299

Glenn Gould plays Beethoven

All tracks recorded in the Columbia 30th Street Studios, New York City

The release of Glenn Gould’s 1955 recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, (Naxos 8.111247) spread his name around the world as this was Bach playing of a style that was wholly new. As a follow up, the 23 year-old Gould chose the last three sonatas by Beethoven which, at that time, were usually reserved for more experienced pianists. With their sometimes unusually fast tempos (executed with remarkable clarity and precision) and omission of repeats, Gould’s performances originally attracted widespread criticism for daring to be different. With hindsight, however, they can be seen as perfectly valid interpretations that combine sensitivity and intelligence without a trace of sentimentality.