Track Listing

1. I. Prélude
2. II. Allemande
3. III. Courante I
4. IV. Courante II
5. V. Double I
6. VI. Double II
7. VII. Sarabande
8. VIII. Bourée I
9. IX. Bourée II (with da capo I)
10. X. Gigue

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23793 in Music
• Released on: 2004-02-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Sublime Bach
I love the Bach Inventions... As compositions, I'm blown away by how concise yet profound they are. Any composer can express a rich musical idea in an hour long symphony... but there are few composers who can say so much in pieces so short and smale in scale!

As for Gould, I am probably biased in his favored, because I love everything he does. What I love about him so much is that he frequently plays things very differently than I think they should be played (or would play them), but every time he convinces me that his way is right. He is one of those artists that, even if I don't necessarily always agree with exactly how he does something, I still LOVE listening to him do it. Gould's playing is often described as having "transparency". He uses little pedal and plays with a much more separated articulation than many other pianists. I think this really works because it makes the counterpoint crisper. Also, especially in the slower pieces, it really allows the notes to linger in the empty space between them. It's always interesting discussing Gould, because even though I generally have no problems with him, I always feel the need to defend him against the inevitable nay-sayers... I can see how, perhaps, his Mozart Sonatas might not be everyone's cup of tea (although I love it), but I can't imagine anyone not being moved by his Bach.

I think this disc is a great buy. It's inexpensive, has ample program notes, and the playing is spectacular. I've had a hard time finding a satisfying recording of these pieces (check out my review of a less-than-thrilling Naxos rendition), so I was thrilled when I picked up this Gould CD. Enjoy!

Bach would love this~
Having tried to learn and perfect a few of these inventions, and actually having mastered one, I have a huge apprecation for Glenn Gould's talent and drive. Bach would have loved this guy.....in fact, he probably does. IMHO

Bach: The Two and Three Part Inventions (Inventions & Sinfonias)
Bach: The Two and Three Part Inventions (Inventions & Sinfonias)~ Johann Sebastian Bach is a stupendous recordings with the amazing and eccentric Glenn Gould. Bach is one my favorite composers of all time and he sure shows his brilliance with these amazing compositions. Excellent music when studying or relaxing and one can never tire of this amazing and timeless recording. 5 well deserved stars indeed.