Gulda WTC

[Holden]

Spotify has just landed in Australia and compared to illicit version I was listening to via a VPN the sound is much improved for the free version. So I was browsing LvB sonatas and typed in Gulda. Scrolling down the list of recordings I saw the complete WTC and just thought I'd sample. P&F 1 was quite good but when the C minor Prelude came up I really sat up and took notice. None of the breakneck pace of Richter and Feinberg but played seemingly without pedal and at a pace to bring out all the contrapuntal elements - even thought this is not a fugue. Further sampling seems to indicate a very personal view of this masterwork that I am not averse to.

As I said before, Gulda eschews the sustain pedal wherever he can. Is he trying to create a clavier sound (harpsichord) on the piano. One benefit of this approach is amazing clarity of texture, especially in the fugues.

Does anyone have this set who can comment further?

[Todd]

Does anyone have this set who can comment further?

I don't know if Gulda was trying to emulate a different instrument's sound, but his light pedaling, clarity, and customary rhythmic vitality make for a great listen.  It's been a long while since last I listened to it.  Only Edwin Ficher's is better to my ears, and for totally different reasons – and his command is nowhere near Gulda's.  I may have to revisit this soon, now that I think about it.

[kishnevi]

I have it as a pair of Philips[Decca/London/whatever label they're using now for these things] Duos.  I have not listened to it enough to make a valid comparison, but my basic reaction was positive--and to put that into context,  I've come to have a decided preference for the WTC (but not all Bach keyboard works) to be played on the harpsichord.    I've got three other WTCs on piano:  Ashkenazy, Gould, and Hewitt, and at the moment I would say I prefer Gulda to at least the first two.

[Sammy]

I agree with all that's been said about Gulda's version and would only add that there's a "determination" to the interpretations that I find totally compelling.

[jwinter]

Gulda's has long been my favorite WTC, for just the reasons of texture and clarity that you cite.  I love the transparency of Bach on the harpsichord, but I prefer the piano's tone generally -- Gulda is like the best of both worlds.