Rating: 
Summary: Even Bach would be stunned
Review: I had long been an admirer of the audio CD of Gould's Goldberg. One can easily hear the genius at work. But seeing Gould in all his wackiness perched on his beat-up lucky chair conducting the right hand with the left and humming along makes the genius so much more real. To call this performance flawless is the least complimentary thing I can say. He has spoiled the Goldberg for generations of future artists who can only watch and admire. I consider this to be among the top five instrumental performances I have ever heard.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: I've seen this DVD many a time and each time something new pops out. While it increases my love for piano playing, it also brings me right back to reality when I see Gould' fingers doing its magic making me realize how far away many of us are from this masterful playing.
Pure joy!
Rating:
Summary: An elegant and superb performance.
Review: In clear contrast to his 1955 recording, Glenn Gould brings a new look at Bach's Goldberg Variations by giving the listener more noble and stately tempi, while commenting via his interpretations on the "30 remarkable variations with a truly unremarkable ground bass theme...from which they are all formed and to which they all conform." Gould, in complete command of his abilities, presents the Goldberg Variations as a unified whole, as opposed to "30 somewhat single-minded pieces." As an unwavering devotee of contrapuntal music, the Goldberg Variations present Bach's unearthly talent for "...passionate aestheticism, and youthful exhibitionism." The Goldberg Variations give the performer and listener "...snapshots, randomly filed,..." which show Bach's genius through the years of his life. Glenn Gould supervised the camera work during the recording, which is evident in the camera catching the hands play at just the appropriate place, an ability sorely missing in classical videos. With this video recording, Glenn Gould returns to perform the work which granted him worldwide acclaim. In short, a remarkable compressed portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach and his arguably greatest interpreter, Glenn Gould.
Rating:
Summary: The joyful pain of playing piano
Review: In this magnificent recording, you can see how Glenn Gould, in a joyful and painful way, feels the sublime Bach's Goldberg Variations. If you like Bach, if you enjoy the genuine feeling of an interpreter, enjoy this video. It made me cry.
Rating:
Summary: this video changed my life
Review: It inspired me to play the piano again. Very moving. A master interpreting the work of a master. Seeing this video for the first time (and every other time) is "an experience". I have 7 different Gould videos and plan on getting more, but if you want just one to start with, I would recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: Music is sound, not images. There are a few cases when one can concentrate on the music when watching a video or DVD of an interpretation. This is it! The masterpiece where images do not interfere with the sound. Only Glen Gould and a very few others have a technique so perfect and pure that it becomes irrelevant. The interpretation, the feeling, the singing, and a virtuosity shown in this film are out of this world. If only Bach could have seen and listen this DVD...
Rating:
Summary: Sublime
Review: My father bought a vinyl copy of the CBS Masterworks recording of this same performance when I was in high school. A taped copy of this served me admirably in college in the late '80s, making my study time that much more structured and productive. After absconding with my father's record, I was later able to buy it on CD. I still have the record, though... Imagine my surprise and unfettered delight when I learned that the recording sessions for this now-timeless masterpiece were actually recorded on film. This happened to me in the mid-90's, when I saw this film at the American Film Institute theatre at the Kennedy Center. There on the screen, in the same studios where Kind of Blue was recorded, was the vision to go with those sounds that had become a part of me. It was like being blind for years and all of a sudden being given the gift of sight. And now, this is available on a DVD. Who gives a damn about what extras there are. The Aria, 30 variations, and Aria are all there and you get to SEE Glenn Gould perform them!! What else of such great value could you ever hope to acquire for such a small price...
Rating: 
Summary: Great Bach, but not the best.
Review: Of course Glenn Gould has always been known for his Bach playing abilities. And if you buy this DVD you won't be dissapointed. His playing is superb. Technique is fantastic and his interpretation of the piece is first rate. It's always entertaining to watch because of how freaky old Glenn looks at the piano so low on his chair and his always disturbing "other hand conducting" thing he does. Anyway, the DVD picture quality is pretty good considering it was filmed almost 20 years ago. Sound is excellent. The only reason i thought this only deserved four stars: 1. A large attraction of DVD's are the extras. i would say this one has little to none. 2. Murray Perahia's recent recording of the work (available on cd) is preffered by me and most people. Murray is just as able as Glenn and his performance is authentic only his playing is much more charming
and he adds so many beautiful ornamentations on the second repeats. But this is worth the money to add to you collection.
Rating:
Summary: magnifique!!!
Review: That video is magic. To see that wonderfull musician play the 32 Goldberg variations is a special experience. It`s more than a piano, it`s more than a pianist...
Rating:
Summary: Painfully Beautiful
Review: This video will leave a lump in your throat and a smile on your face at the same time. Gould carries the viewer through the whole range of human emotions in about 45 minutes. He is the rare pianist that has both a staggering technical facility and a an incredible emotional depth. His talent easily encompasses the unusual technical and emotional juxtapositions of the Goldberg Variations. One moment the listener may be plunged into the darkness and despair of a variation like the Canone alla Quinta, or the 21st variation, and then, suddenly is brought back to light-heartedness and joy. Watching Gould make these transitions work is a touching experience, and his love for the music is obvious (although he said he hated the 28th and 29th variations). Listening to the music is also enhanced by the pleasure of viewing Gould as he plays. Some may find his trademark fidgeting and faces an annoyance, but I think the true music lover will simply see in Gould an artist completely involved in a music that he obviously cherishes. A unique and beautiful experience for any music lover.
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