Bach can be realised, very effectively, on a grand piano. Modartt has however provided the appropriate instrument: the Ruckers. Ideally you need 2 keyboards for the "deux claviers" variations, but the Goldbergs are amongst the few Bach works for harpsichord rather than possibly clavichord. So, no graduated dynamics. For me, a good harpsichord performance beats a similarly good piano performance. IMHO of course.

Yes, interesting how the two greatest composers of all time - Mozart and Bach - often composed for instruments of limited dynamic range.

Thank you, gentlemen. I remember Gould changing to a Yamaha C7 later in life, but his Steinway performance indeed is the one we know best. Still, maybe Grotrian would be better, definitely for the mellow variations like the '25', but maybe also for the fast ones. I'm with Angela Hewitt that many of Bach's harpsichord compositions just play and sound better on a good grand. But those strings, just wonderful indeed.

Actually, Mr. Gould personally purchased a used 9' Yamaha CFII, just around the block from Carnegie Hall in NYC.  Please note that it was not a C7 as stated above.  It was on this CFII that Gould recorded the Goldberg Variations a second time (this time digitally recording the event). 

Here is the URL:

https://ca.yamaha.com/en/news_events/20..._80th.html

Cheers,

Joe

EDIT:  For everyone's information, Steinway's fleet of touring Model D pianos was christened with the letter notation CD as in Gould's CD318.  The C stood for "Concert" [Model D].

End Edit

Anyone care to shed his or her thoughts on playing JS Bach's Goldberg Variations? Grotrian or Steinway B?

I believe Gould's original 1955 Goldberg variations were on a Steinway model CD - and that sound is imprinted on my mind. To my ears, among the 4 ones discussed in this thread, the D is probably closest to it  - but you really can't go wrong with any of these 4!

Osho

Anyone care to shed his or her thoughts on playing JS Bach's Goldberg Variations? Grotrian or Steinway B?

While I don't own the Grotian, my best guess would be the Grotian, however the range of the Goldbergs is not that great so it might sound fine on the Model B which does have a mid range and treble with lots of life.  I only play the Aria and Variation 25 and those two are mellow in character.  I like this version the best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duVAAq422h0
I feel the string trio brings them out in a way that is impossible on the piano.  If you want a more authentic Pinaoteq version, play them on the harpsichord, but I warn you it's very unforgiving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSXj48lkFew

Thanks I'll try that, but the Model B is actually a 7' piano as far as I know.

The longest bass string in a Steinway Model B is a little over 59 inches.
The longest bass string in a Steinway Model D is a little over 79 inches.

Adjust the string length of the Model B in Pianoteq if you object to the characteristic metallic inharmonicity of the bass range.

- - -

From http://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.1917803

Would love to hear thoughts from anyone who has these four endorsed beauties.
Which one do you prefer and why?

Guess it depends on you and on what you are playing. My favorite is the Steinway B but they're all worthy instruments.

GRB wrote:

I find the bass of the Model B to be really raunchy.  it sounds like a piano where the wound strings need to be replaced.

That’s intentional and realistic.

The Steinway Model B is a small, studio or home grand piano with short bass strings that are wound with heavy copper wire in order to make them vibrate more slowly, at the intended low frequencies. This heavy bass wire causes a great deal of inharmonicity and overtones. Use Pianoteq’s String Length slider/parameter to increase the length of the strings of the Model B, which will increase the volume and purity of the fundamental frequency/tone while decreasing the overtones and metallic harmonics. The Model B will then sound more like a larger grand piano, especially in the bass range.

Thanks I'll try that, but the Model B is actually a 7' piano as far as I know.

http://www.steinway.com/pianos/steinway/grand/model-b/

I find the bass of the Model B to be really raunchy.  it sounds like a piano where the wound strings need to be replaced.

That’s intentional and realistic.

The Steinway Model B is a small, studio or home grand piano with short bass strings that are wound with heavy copper wire in order to make them vibrate more slowly, at the intended low frequencies. This heavy bass wire causes a great deal of inharmonicity and overtones. Use Pianoteq’s String Length slider/parameter to increase the length of the strings of the Model B, which will increase the volume and purity of the fundamental frequency/tone while decreasing the overtones and metallic harmonics. The Model B will then sound more like a larger grand piano, especially in the bass range.

There is not a single piano model in the bunch that you would "go wrong" by purchasing.  It is not as though Choices A, B and C are fantastic ... but Choice X is a dud. (Note that I did not use the term Choice D, so as to avoid confusion with the Steinway D.)

The Grotrian and Blüthner would be make excellent choices of your intended usage.  You will enjoy immediate gratification by these two instruments as you go through the presets and marvel at how they respond to your musical touch.

Cheers,

Joe