Tureck Goldberg
Wed, Mar 27 2013, 6:34PM
Which of the Tureck Goldberg recordings would anyone recommend?
Thu, Mar 28 2013, 12:09AM
#2
RE: Tureck Goldberg
I don't know any of her recordings but in the "Penguin Guide" Gramophone critic Ivan March says the VAI recording would be one of his Desert Island Discs (VAIA 1029).
Thu, Mar 28 2013, 4:36AM
#3
RE: Tureck Goldberg
I nearly jumped out of my chair as I've never seen a forum about Rosalyn Tureck but she is a pianist that I completely adore. Back in around 1999, Steinway & Sons in collaboration with Phillips/EMI created a collection of CD's entitled 'Great Pianists of the 20th Century'. You may have already heard of it since about 70 different great pianists were celibrated in the form of a 2 remastered CD package and in some cases consisting of a volume I and of a volume II. Well Rosalyn Tureck I and Rosalyn Tureck II, 4 CD's in total, consists of all Bach recordings dating from around 1957 to 1959. Rosalyn Tureck I contains Partitas, BWV 825-830. Rosalyn Tureck II consists of 'Goldberg' Variations, French Overture (Partita) in B minor, BWV 831, Italian Concerto, and Four Duets. The remastering of these recordings, originally done at Abbey Road Studios, are a pleasure to listen to sonically although in mono. Rosalyn Tureck is in top form and the energy in the studio is real. Her phrasing and articulation is refined but moves along effortlessly. Unfortunately, these recordings as well as the others in the series are currently out of print but I have seen many of them on Amazon. I don't think you would disappointed with these.
Thu, Mar 28 2013, 7:51AM
#4
RE: Tureck Goldberg
Good morning Goofyfoot.
I too have the Tureck Bach recordings in those Philips/Steinway presentations. The performances (and I think the transfers) of the Goldberg Variations etc. are the same as are now available in EMI's Great Recordings of the Century series.
I agree, they sound superb via my ESL2905s too!
I remember first hearing Bach played by Tureck on the BBC Third Programme in the early 1950s. The beginning of my love of Bach. I was still at primary school at the time!
Chris
Thu, Mar 28 2013, 9:47AM
#5
RE: Tureck Goldberg
Thanks to all who have replied to me. I read that a live performance in Moscow (1995 I think) is fantastic but I'm not sure if it is because of the occasion etc. I will seek out the Great Pianists series. I remember when the series began. I have read that the remastering on the Great Recordings of the Century is not good. Thanks again.
I know two of her recordings. The EMI one from 1958, and the late DG recording. The two are very similar performances, in the later one her playing is more 'lumpy': she was in her late 80's at the time! But of course the recording is better. I think I prefer the earlier one though. The timings are generally rather similar, generally rather slow, as I'm sure you know.
There are also at least two other recordings on VAI, which I've not heard. I don't know the dates of these recordings, at least one of them is overall considerably faster: it fits on a single CD (the other two take around 95 minutes). It's possible, though unlikely I think, that she omits some repeats in that version.
The EMI recording also includes superb performances of the Italian Concerto and the French Overture. That could tip the balance perhaps!
Chris
Chris A.Gnostic