Chris Bonds wrote:

>...do we really want to take all the repeats in the Goldberg Variations?
>When do we place expediency and necessity over presumed principles of
>structural integrity?

Expediency and necessity versus principles is a heady subject.  Concerning
the Goldberg Variations, I prefer that *all* the repeats be observed, not
out of respect for Bach's intentions, although that's a worthy criterion,
but simply because observing all repeats in the work enhances my enjoyment
of the music.

>... is there a difference between listening to the Goldberg set with
>repeats and listening to it twice, without repeats?

Definitely - it changes the sequential pattern which could well impact the
listener's enjoyment, appreciation, images in the listener's mind, etc.

Don Satz
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