Myrsha LazarreAn Eccentric Genius
June 3rd 2008 20:00
Glenn Gould the eccentric mastermind
Glenn Gould, (September 25, 1932-October 4, 1982), was a Canadian pianist renowned for his exceptional performances and recordings of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. He is probably the most celebrated artist of the 20th century acclaimed for his impeccable technical proficiency, clarity of sound, unique piano technique, and above all his eccentric personality.
Gould was a child prodigy and regarded as a musical phenomenon throughout his adult performance career. His interpretations ranged from being brilliantly creative and innovative, to quirky and unconventional. He was known for being able to maintain the utmost clarity and finger independence even at extremely rapid tempos. He was especially renowned for his ability to clearly articulate both the left and right hand melodies in contrapuntal passages.
Gould rarely practiced on the piano, preferring to study music by reading it rather than playing it. He is noted as stating that he could not conceive why other pianists insisted on practicing several hours a day. Another of Gould's remarkable gifts was an acute memory, which allowed him to build a vast repertoire. He recorded Bach's entire Well-Tempered Clavier, all of the English and French Suites, half of the Art of Fugue, Beethoven's five Piano Concertos, and 23 of the 32 Beethoven sonatas. He was averted to prominent composers like Chopin and Mozart and favored lesser known composers like Orlando Gibbons.
Gould had severe stage anxiety and detested the concert hall, comparing it to a "competitive sporting arena." He often cancelled performances at the last minute, and was convinced that the public concert with an audience and the tradition of applause was a force of evil. He wrote a treatise entitled "GPAADAK" the Gould Plan for the Abolition of Applause and Demonstrations of All Kinds."
Gould's quirks did not stop there however. He often hummed, grunted, and crooned while he played. He claimed that it was subconscious, and increased depending on the ability of the piano which he was using to realize the music as he intended it to be. Some of Gould's producers in the recording studio criticized him for the background vocalise during his recordings. On the concert stage Gould was noted for his peculiar body movements during performances which included: circular swaying in a clockwise motion, conducting with a free hand while playing with the other, and grasping the air as if reaching for notes.
Gould insisted on sitting exactly 14 inches above the floor, and only sitting in a chair which his father made for him when he was younger. The room temperature had to be meticulously regulated so that it was extremely warm. Prior to performances he would soak his hands in scalding hot water to keep them from going numb. Gould detested the cold. Even when the weather was unbearably hot, he always wore heavy clothing including gloves, a coat, and mittens. At one point he was arrested because officials thought that he was a vagrant while sitting on a park bench in Sarasota, FL.
To continue with Gould's inexhaustible list of eccentricities, he despised social functions and had an extreme aversion to touch. Once while preparing to rehearse at Steinway Hall in New York, one of the piano technicians greeted Gould with a pat on the back. Gould instantly went into shock, then afterwards complained of aches, lack of coordination, and fatigue. He even considered pursuing a litigation suit. Gould also refrained from giving handshakes and often wore gloves.
In Gould's later life he developed a terrible paranoia, assuming that someone was trying to poison him, and others were spying on him. Throughout his lifetime Gould had been preoccupied with his health, constantly checking his blood pressure, recording his body temperature, and fretting over the safety of his hands. In his final days this obsession spiraled out of control and Gould began keeping logs of his vital signs at nearly every hour of the day. He suffered a stroke on September 27, 1982 which paralyzed the entire left side of his body, and remained hospitalized until passing away on October 4th.
Below are links to view Glenn Gould in action:
Glenn Gould Practicing Bach
Gould in the Recording Studio
First Movement of Concerto No. 1 in D Minor by J.S. Bach
Gould Speaks about the Art of Fugue
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Comment by Harry
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Great post.
Comment by Myrsha Lazarre
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