For the past several days I've been listening to the late piano legend, Glenn Gould, especially his two landmark recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations.
As a young man in 1955, Gould recorded the complete Goldberg's, and the recordings set the classical music world on fire. Just a year or so before his death, a much matured Gould recorded them again in 1981. Both recordings are included in this release.
I am listening on Amazon's "Ultra HD" streamed version which is probably about 24/96 or more. What is remarkable -- other than the surely different performances by a young, then an older Gould is the difference in sound quality.
Glenn Gould was known as a 'nut' for recording quality throughout his life. It suited his total immersion in the music he performed. So, in addition to the 25-year difference in performance, the quality of the recordings is interesting to compare. And the differences are resounding [unintentional].
Like others who have recorded piano seriously, we consider that instrument among the most difficult to get right. (Or, just to figure out what
is right.) You see, more than most instruments, the piano plays the room. Without the room's sound, the piano loses much of its character. And recording it is very much a matter of the environment.
At any rate, if you are of a similar mind, try this recording at home. You will hear a young musician, recorded at the state of the art of 1955, and the much-matured artist playing as he wishes, state of the art 1981. The differences in both performance and recording are vast.
-Just one man's view, er, um, hearing.