Glenn Gould (pianist)

Glenn Gould (photo: Sony)

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September 25, 1932 - October 4, 1982 

Glenn Gould plays Bach's Goldberg Variations in 1981, taken from Bruno Monsaingeon's documentary about the pianist

Known by an audience far wider than the average ‘classical music lover’ for his Bach discs, Glenn Gould assumed an iconic status during his life. Eccentric and opinionated, Gould abandoned concert-giving aged 31 to focus on studio recording. 

Gould: a tribute by Jed Distler

'Glenn Gould threw received notions of piano interpretation and core repertoire out the window, while his unique hair-trigger articulation, particular sonority (two notes and you know it’s Gould), rhythmic focus and X-ray-like contrapuntal clarity left music lovers mesmerised and his baffled colleagues awestruck. His recordings and television performances alternate between revelatory and infuriating, yet they consistently entertain and beckon your attention.'  

Gramophone Article

Glenn Gould – An Appraisal (Gramophone, August 2002) by Rick Phillips

Recommended Recordings

Bach – Goldberg Variations (1981)

Bach – Goldberg Variations (1955)