Kirk McElhearn wrote (November 27, 2001):
Käte van Trich presents here a recording of Bach’s greatest keyboard work the Goldberg Variations, played on the organ. A rare disc indeed, since there are few organ recordings of this work.

This recording just doesn¹t work for me. While the Goldberg Variations can be played on a variety of keyboard instruments, Käte van Trich’s performance comes over as stiff and ponderous. The subtle notes of the aria don’t work well at all on the organ - this instrument makes them too long and heavy, compared with the lightness in this piece that is heard on harpsichord or piano.

The organ also flattens all the notes, leaving no possibilities for dynamics - although there are many possibilities for variety in registration. The tempi chosen by Trich just don¹t seem to work; they all seem too slow, even for the slower variations. Again, this is because of the organ and the way its notes are sustained. But this shows, in my opinion, that, even though most of Bach’s keyboard works stand up well to versions on different instruments, this is one that just doesn¹t fit for the organ.

The 3^rd variation, for example, which is usually played with a certain amount of vigour, sounds here like an organ chorale, with the bass notes overwhelming the treble melody and eliminating the relief from the incisive notes of the right-hand part.

The cascading melodies of the beginning of the 11^th variation work well on the organ; but, after the first few measures, they get lost in the overall sound, drowned out by the bass notes. While the recording is clear, it seems that it is just the nature of the organ that does not work with this particular score.

This disc is a curiosity; few recordings have been made of the Goldberg Variations for organ. But the result shows why this is the case. The music just does not work on this instrument, the notes just don¹t fit on the organ. This is a disappointing recording, best left alone, except for those who are truly fans of organ music.

Feedback to the above Review

Trevor Evans-Young wrote (November 29, 2001):
[To Kirk McElhearn] Has anyone heard the other recording for organ by Gigout? Guillot? I heard it years ago and thought it was very interesting.

Kirk McElhearn wrote (November 30, 2001):
[To Trevor Evans-Young] Guillou. I have never heard it.

Bradley Lehman wrote (December 3, 2001):
[To Kirk McElhearn] It's good to know that this one is available again. I heard it when it was new. If I remember correctly, the idea behind the performance was to reproduce her teacher's interpretation closely (Karl Straube), as a window back into 19^th century ideas about Bach.

I've heard Guillou's, but like this one better.

Käte van Tricht: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings: Review: Goldberg Variations Käte van Trich, organ