Monday, November 3, 2014

Glenn Gould visits the Soviet Union

Glenn Gould's Statue in Toronto, Canada

Glenn Gould, pianist extraordinaire








There was an interesting You Tube I stumbled across a few days ago.  I had been playing a few You Tube selections of operas, master classes, and other musical selections that are available, and I found this film of Glenn Gould and his visit to Moscow in  1957.    
  
This was at the height of the Cold War and there was a slight thaw as far as allowing Westerners some access.  Mr. Gould's agent thought it might help Glenn's career to do something a little different and knowing that the Russians love classical music, even though they were not permitted to hear much "Western" music like Bach, for instance (too religious), Mr. Gould was allowed to come and perform. He was the first concert pianist from North America to be invited to play behind the Iron Curtain

Just a bit of background.  Glenn Gould, a Canadian,  was a genius, but even though he was a loner, not everyone remembers him that way, he could be funny and playful, but the piano was everything, and although he did perform in public, later on in his life he preferred  to record alone in a studio.  His "Bach's Goldberg Variations" is the most famous of his recordings.  The technique, everything is unique.  He sat on a hard backed chair, with his hands below the keys and somehow as he played this way, he created something technically amazing and quite beautiful.

I do not play the piano and cannot fully appreciate what Mr. Gould does, but even if you are not a classical music lover, you might enjoy watching the You Tube clip of his visit to the Soviet Union.  

He begins his concert in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory with only a half filled hall.  Then something extraordinary happens, people begin rushing out to the telephones in the lobby to urge their friends to hear this pianist play music they had not been permitted to hear before.  The film shows people running to the theater.  There was a long intermission and then the hall was packed.  He became a kind of rock star during his stay as he gave lectures and introduced the Soviets to the music of composers that had been forbidden. The film is in English with French sub-titles.  There is much more on the internet about this reclusive, unusual musician.

He died in 1982, just 50 years old.  

Glenn Gould:  A Russian Journey  (You Tube, but cannot find anyone to thank for being able to use this)
  

15 comments:

  1. Hi Nat - what an amazing sounding man ... I hope at some stage I can sit and listen to this ... and watch the film ... as it unfolds. So sad he died at 50 ... I see he played a wide variety of composers ... usually baroque style music. I came across Hindemith the other day .. as I went to an art-music talk ... which was fascinating ...

    I'll try and make a plan to come back and listen .. thanks for highlighting him for us .. cheers Hilary

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    1. I guess the Goldberg Variations are very, very difficult to play and most pianists don't try to make it part of their performance pieces. The You Tube is wonderful, thanks for your comments and always making time to visit my blog.

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  2. I'd never heard of him either, what a fascinating story. I can't play the video right now either. I will also return.

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  3. Thought you might have heard, living in Canada. But it was a long time ago, I forget that I am older :) but I am always interested in these quirky genius's since my grandson has autism. No he is not an "Aspy" but I have a feeling that Glenn Gould might have been.

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  4. What an interesting post. Much as I love classical piano, I never heard of him or if I did, back then, I have forgotten him by now.

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    1. It was a long time ago, Inger. But these musical genius's fascinate me and the fact that the Soviets did not permit certain composers to be known in the Soviet Unions, like Bach, from a people who had such a musical history. But that changed. I wish I knew more and had taken the piano seriously.

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  5. Hi Natasha. I know the music of Glenn Gould quite well. I always thought that he was an Asbergers sufferer or at least, somewhere on that spectrum. I had not realised that he died so long ago.
    I always tend to bracket him with David Helfgott, the subject of the film Shine, portrayed by Geoffrey Rush (who won an Oscar for it).
    Listening to Glenn Gould!!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Hi Bazza: He did have problems with the social aspect of life. Shine was a wonderful picture, And in my head, I can hear the first notes of Rach 3. Have been absent from active blogging, but I have a new knee and I will be back soon. Thanks for making sure I am still here :)

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    2. I hope the operation went well for you!

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    3. Operation was perfect, but am working through those irritating side affects, drug sensitivity, etc. having good days and not-so-good days but I know I will feel better soon. Feel very, very grateful, for friends both here and "out there." Thanks, Bazza, still want to paint that restaurant!

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  6. Hi Nat - I've listened to the video - how interesting and informative ... about Gould, the Russians, the Soviet era ... I loved his refusal to stay in the Metropol - the main hotel for foreigners in Moscow - and he seems to have been able to influence and infiltrate the souls and minds of musicians, composers, artists of all sorts - I loved seeing it.

    Thanks for sharing with us ... cheers Hilary

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    1. I don't think the US appreciates its eccentrics like the UK does and we are the poorer for it.

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  7. I enjoyed finding your blog, through the A-Z post road trip. I wasn't aware of Glenn Gould but I want to watch his YouTube video now. That must have been an amazing concern and experience for him, in Russia. I'm still trying to finish my A-Z challenge (I'm going to make it, I must...) My blog is very different than yours but perhaps you'll visit. Enjoy your holidays! www.dianeweidenbenner.com

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  8. Thanks for reading my blog, Diane--how many more A-Zs to go? I reflect my age, unfortunately, but I love to read all the blogs--they keep me young (er).

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  9. Hello and thank you or visiting one of my two blogs - An Artful Blogger! Gould was quite amazing. I found myself glued to the video you've shared. Thank you!!

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