Glenn Gould
Performer
1932–1982. Canadian pianist.
One of the most iconic pianists of the 20th century, renowned for his idiosyncratic interpretations of Bach and his reclusive recording-only career after 1964. Known for a signature introspective, analytical approach, especially in his landmark Goldberg Variations recordings.
33 products
- Concerto for solo keyboard No. 3 in D minor, BWV 974 (BC L194) (after Alessandro Marcello): 2. Adagio
- Sonatina No. 1, for piano in F sharp minor, Op. 67/1: 2. Largo
- Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 5 (TrV 103): 2. Adagio cantabile
- Intermezzo for piano in A major, Op. 118/2
- Song Without Words for piano No. 9 in E major, Op. 30/3
- Song Without Words for piano No. 1 in E major, Op. 19b/1
- Keyboard Sonata in A minor, H. 30, Wq. 49/1 (Württemberg Sonata No. 1): 2. Andante
- English Suite, for keyboard No. 4 in F major, BWV 809 (BC L16): 4. Sarabande
- Piano Sonata in E minor, Op. 7: 2. Andante molto
- Pieces (2) for piano, Op. 57
- Pieces (5) for piano, Op. 3 (TrV 105): No. 1, Andante
- Intermezzo for piano in B flat minor, Op. 117/2
- Ballade for piano in D minor ("Edward"), Op. 10/1
- Intermezzo for piano in E flat major, Op. 117/1: Andante moderato
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Bach: Partitas, Preludes and Fugues, Italian Concerto / Glenn Gould
Sony Masterworks · Oct 2012CD$23.98 -
Glenn Gould Edition - Beethoven/Liszt: Symphony No 5, 6 (1st Movement)
Sony Masterworks · Oct 1992CD$11.98 -
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... And Serenity / Glenn Gould
Track Listing
Glenn Gould Edition - Wagner: Siegfried Idyll, Etc
WAGNER (trans. Gould) Siegfried Idyll, (orig.) 1 Siegfried Idyll, (trans.) Die Meistersinger: Act I Prelude. Götterdämmerung: Dawn and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey • Glenn Gould (pn, cond); Toronto SO members 1 • SONY 52650 (70:59)
I can think of no worthier nomination to Fanfare’s Classical Hall of Fame than this conductorial debut of the late, exceedingly great Glenn Gould, and also his very last recording. Gould, of course, admitted in the late 1960s to being a closet Wagnerite who often “worshipped at the shrine,” and in 1973 he set down piano transcriptions of three favorite pieces. Meistersinger was a stunner the first time I heard it, and coming off a concert with Jorge Bolet playing the Liszt transcription of Tannhäuser —and he really pounded the thing out—I was left in shocked, disappointed silence after hearing Gould’s shimmering, nuanced, hyper-contrapuntal version of Wagner’s most Baroque work. Since then I have come to admire it to no end, a brilliant conception that brings out things you will not hear in any other recording, orchestral or not. Wagner’s orchestration actually gets in the way of everything there, and Gould admitted that when he prepared to play it, it was a question of “what do I leave out this time,” as there were not enough hands, even his own long fingers, to cover all the parts. “Dawn” is just as persuasive if not as extroverted in its intricacy, and the piano sounds just wonderful.
Siegfried is matched in its slow tempo only by Gould’s orchestra reading. Here he turns this transcription into a marvelous tone poem, drawing each and every strand of meaning out of every bar, always cognizant of the overarching structure and subtle phrasing, both Gould trademarks. You can almost come to accept this piece as meant for the piano, so convincing is his reading. Siegfried for chamber orchestra, in its original guise, is given to us in one of the slowest readings on record (Gould liked to temper the tempo in many works), and one can hear the Toronto players straining to bring every ounce of intensity to Gould’s concentrated leadership. Somehow he makes it work, and as a testimony to his extraordinary talent and career, this beautifully conceived album is mandatory in any collection worthy of the name.
FANFARE: Steven E. Ritter
The Glenn Gould Silver Jubilee Album
Glenn Gould was probably the most individual pianist of this century. Often criticized throughout his career for his interpretations, his influence cannot be denied. He was a musician of the highest order, and capable of profound playing. Originally released in 1980 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Gould's association with CBS, this set features both standard Gould fare (including a previously unreleased "Italian Concerto" from 1981) and twentieth century works by Strauss and Scriabin alongside Canadian Radio Broadcasting programs made over the course of Gould's career.
Gould played the music of many composers, but had a keen interest in the music of Strauss. His pairing with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in the Strauss 'Ophelia Lieder' is certainly the highlight of the first disc. Liszt's transcription of the first movement of the Beethoven "Pastoral" symphony is an interesting novelty. The CBC programs--"A Glenn Gould Fantasy" and "Critics' Call-Out Corner"--on the second disc are truly funny and personal, giving us a glimpse into Gould the man. There is a multitude of information on these discs, but it is well worth the time invested. The comprehensive liner notes serve as an excellent guide to this set, a welcome addition to any collection.
Glenn Gould in the Sixties
The rich Glenn Gould discography is enlarging of a series of recordings performed by the artist between 1960 and 1963 for the television and now are presented for the frist time on disc, after a digital remastering. Glenn Gould had a personal propension for some Beethoven, specifically Variations, Op. 34 and Op. 35, of which he often performed live when he was younger. His interpretation of the two movements Adagio ma non torppo and the fuga of Sonata No. 110 are really something unique in his career as a performer and artist. These masterpieces are now available for the public and Gould fans.