J S Bach, Wanda Landowska - Goldberg Variations

cyeko

Review by Cheryl Yeko

Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach, Performed by Wanda Landowska – A Timeless Masterpiece If you’re a fan of classical music with a penchant for Baroque brilliance, the Goldberg Variations performed by Wanda Landowska is an album that deserves your attention. Released under RCA Victor Red Seal in the US, this recording brings Johann Sebastian Bach’s iconic work to life through Landowska’s expressive harpsichord playing. It’s not just another rendition—it’s a journey into the heart of complexity and beauty. Let’s get straight to it: the album opens with the Aria (Sarabande), and man, does it set the tone. This track feels like stepping into a quiet cathedral at dawn—solemn yet warm. The melody unfolds gently, almost as if Bach himself were whispering secrets from centuries past. What strikes me most about Landowska’s interpretation is how human it feels. Every note she plays breathes emotion, avoiding the mechanical stiffness some performers fall into when tackling such intricate compositions. You don’t just hear the piece—you feel it. And honestly? That opening aria stayed stuck in my head for days after listening. Not annoyingly so, but more like a comforting echo of something profound. Another standout track is Variation 25, nestled in the second half of the album (Variations 17-30). If there’s one variation that hits hard, this is it. Often called the “Black Pearl” of the Goldberg Variations, it’s hauntingly introspective. Landowska leans into its melancholy without overdoing it, letting the dissonances linger just long enough to make you sit up and pay attention. There’s something raw here—a glimpse of vulnerability amid all the technical wizardry. When I first heard it, I had to pause and rewind because it felt too real, too personal. It’s moments like these that remind you why Bach remains unmatched. Landowska doesn’t just play the harpsichord; she tells stories through it. Her liner notes add depth too, offering insights into her approach and passion for Baroque music. Listening to her performance feels less like consuming art and more like having a conversation with someone who truly gets it. One thing worth mentioning is how refreshing it is to hear this on harpsichord rather than piano. Don’t get me wrong—I love Glenn Gould’s famous piano version—but there’s something undeniably authentic about the sound of the instrument Bach originally wrote for. Landowska’s mastery shines through every trill and cadence, making this recording a must-listen for purists and newcomers alike. In the end, what sticks with me isn’t just the music itself—it’s the sense of connection. Whether it’s the serene simplicity of the Aria or the soul-shaking intensity of Variation 25, this album reminds us that great music transcends time. Funny enough, while writing this review, I found myself wondering what Bach would think if he heard his work played today. Would he approve of Landowska’s choices? Or would he chuckle at our modern obsession with perfection? Either way, one thing’s certain: his genius lives on, thanks to interpreters like her. So grab a copy, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let this album take you somewhere timeless. Just don’t blame me if you start humming sarabandes during your morning commute!

Download J S Bach, Wanda Landowska - Goldberg Variations
Artist: J S Bach, Wanda Landowska
Album: Goldberg Variations
Rating: 3.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: j-s-bach-wanda-landowska-goldberg-variations.zip
  • MP3 size: 11.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 69.8 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
(Aria And 30 Variations) Variations 17-30; Aria (Sarabande)
(Aria And 30 Variations) Aria (Sarabande); Variations 1-16

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Catalog Numbers

LM 1080, LM-1080

Labels

RCA Victor Red Seal

Listen online

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  • lytte på nettet
  • online luisteren
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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Reissue
  • Mono

Companies

RoleCompany
Pressed ByRCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis

Credits

RoleCredit
Composed ByJohann Sebastian Bach
HarpsichordWanda Landowska
Liner NotesWanda Landowska

Notes

  • Recorded in New York, June 1945
  • RCA Victor Red Seal Records on sleeve
  • RCA Red Seal on labels
  • LM-1080 on sleeve
  • LM 1080 on labels
  • Made in U.S.A.
  • Printed in U.S.A.
  • Released late 60's reissue.

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Label side A): LM 1080 (E0-LRC-3872)
  • Matrix / Runout (Label side B): LM 1080 (E0-LRC-3873)
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped A side): EOLRC 3872 20S I 1 A 1
  • Matrix / Runout (Stamped B side): EOLRC-3873-22S I 1 B 1

About J S Bach, Wanda Landowska

Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany. A prolific German composer and organist, his sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the baroque genre and brought it to its ultimate maturity. Although he introduced no new forms, he enriched the prevailing German style with a robust contrapuntal technique, a control of harmonic and motivic organisation from the smallest to the largest scales, and the adaptation of rhythms and textures from abroad, particularly Italy and France. Many people consider him to be the greatest Baroque composer, and one of the greatest composers of all time. Revered for their intellectual depth, technical command and artistic beauty, J.S. Bach's works include the Brandenburg concertos, the keyboard suites and partitas, the Mass in B Minor, the St. Matthew Passion, The Musical Offering, The Art of Fugue and a large number of cantatas, of which about 220 survive. He died on July 28, 1750. Some of his sons also became composers - , , and .

Real Name

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

Name Vars

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  • Bach, Johann Sebastian
  • Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)
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  • Bach. Johann Sebastian
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  • Giov. Seb. Bach
  • Giovanni Sebastiano Bach
  • I. Bach
  • I. S. Bach
  • I. S. Bachas
  • I.M. Bach
  • I.S. Bach
  • I.S.Bach
  • Iohann Sebastian Bach
  • J . S . Bach
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  • J B Bach
  • J Beck
  • J S Bach
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  • J. B. Bach
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  • J. Bahs
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  • J. C. F. Bach
  • J. S . Bach
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  • J. S. Babc
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  • J. S. Bachas
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  • J. Seb. Bach
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  • J.. Bach
  • J.A. Bach
  • J.B. Bach
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Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? Wanda Landowska, the brilliant harpsichordist behind the *Goldberg Variations* album, was a trailblazer in reviving Baroque music. Her 1946 recording on RCA Victor Red Seal wasn’t just a performance—it was a bold statement. At a time when Bach’s works were often played on modern pianos, Landowska insisted on using the harpsichord, staying true to the composer’s original sound. She even wrote the liner notes herself, sharing her deep passion for Bach’s genius. This album is more than music; it’s history brought to life.