I’ve always had a soft spot for Andrei Gavrilov’s 1993 Goldberg Variations (available again courtesy of Arkivmusic.com’s on-demand reprint program), despite the fact that this pianist’s fingers often outperform his brains. Gavrilov shines best when showing off his fast fingers and brilliant detaché articulation (the cross-handed variations, for example), even when these assets seem utterly wrong for the music, such as in his glib speed-through of Variation 13. By contrast, the minor-key canon at the fifth (Variation 15) and the celebrated “Black Pearl” Variation 25 are almost too reserved and sober. So are both statements of the Aria, both of which feature full repeats.
At least Gavrilov makes room for effective and deftly executed ornaments, and he avoids the once-fashionable register changes that Koroliov, Lifschitz, and Schiff (Decca) observe. His approach often evokes both of Alexis Weissenberg’s EMI versions, but with better judged pedaling. So if you’re in the mood for a piano Goldbergs where forthright entertainment trumps musical depth (and there’s nothing wrong with that), Gavrilov’s just what the doctor ordered. Of course, Glenn Gould’s 1981 Goldbergs remake is both entertaining and deep, but that’s another review.
