Glenn Gould recored two separate variation recordings of pieces by J.S Bach in 1955 and 1981. Though they are recording of the same piece, there are many different elements to each of them. Each performance emphasizes the polyphony within Bach’s piece. The right hand the left hand are both playing different notes at different times, in which both recordings do well with precision. Emphasis on the polyphony also shows the similarity in the melody, as they are the same piece and require precision between the two different lines. In both recordings, there is growth in the music in the last third of the piece which drastically dies down right before the end, showing the conclusion. There are many areas where the two recordings contrast each other as well. One of these areas is the tempo, where it can be heard in the 1955 recording being played quicker than in the 1981 recording. A change in the rhythm is evident as well, as the 1981 recording is played more freely that its prior. It also effects the dynamics of the pieces since more care is taken of the 1981’s dynamics, so there is a wider variety. The two recordings are very clearly different, but do share similarities as well as differences.