Based on Steve Smith's recommendation, I picked up a copy of roger norrington's Beethoven 9--which is excellent--and while I was at the record store I also picked up the new 3 disc Sony release of Glenn Gould's recordings of the Goldberg Variations. I'll preface this with the embarracing fact that before getting this set I had never so much as heard either the '55 or '81 recordings by Gould; and so, was listening to both for the first time back to back. I've always heard from my friends who are much more classical music buffs than I am that the one you want is the '55 recording--that the '81 recording is not very good, much less is something you'd actually want to own. However, I actually really enjoy the '81 recording. I won't say I like it better than the '55--there are parts of each that stand out--rather I think the two disks compliment each other very well. I don't understand the bad opinions I've heard about the '81 recording. I noticed in the liner notes that this edition of the '81 recording was actually remastered from the original analog tapes. All previous editions used the original digital recording (the tapes were used as a back up) and according to the producers for this edition sound "brittle" as digital technology was in its infancy in '81. I am wondering if anyone has compared the two versions of the '81 recording and if this new edition has changed their mind on it if they originally didn't care for it. In case anyone is wondering the third disc of this set is an interveiw disc which I have yet to listen to entirely. I cut it off after a few minutes the first time I put it on because Gould sounds as if he's gone sadly crazy and I was afraid it would spoil my experience of listening to him play. By the way, I've boycotted paragraphs. andy