Glenn Gould: Goldberg Variations 1981 (Subdividing and multiplying beats?)

[marijn1999]

Hi everyone,

Recently I started studying the way Glenn Gould is unifying the Goldberg Variations in his 1981 recording in terms of a "rhythmic reference point". For example, he caries on the same rhytmic pulse in the 8th notes from the 1st to the 2nd variation, even though the first variation is in 3/4, and the 2nd variation in 2/4 time.

Now, it gets more complicated at the transition from variation 2 to 3. The 2nd one in 2/4 time, and the 3rd one in 12/8 time. Now, Gould claims that every variation uses one "rhythmic reference point". But I don't see it there. He talks about multiplying and subdividing beats and time values of notes. Does anyone see what he does here? Same goes for places like the transitions from Var. 4-5, 5-6.

Also, the problem is, I can hear that for example the 8th notes in variations 6, 7 and 8 go equally fast, but they all are in different time signatures, so what does he do with the time signatures and beats that gives this feeling of rhythmic continuity.

BW,
Marijn