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I know i just posted a topic on hewitt but while I'm at it...

From what I understand Gould recorded the later goldberg variations on a yamaha. However his English Suites recording also rank as my favorite recordings. The tone of each recordings sound similar but i dont know if he used a steinway or a yamaha on the englsih record.

Anyone know?

Also what happened to his yamaha?

Gould wasn't one of the pianists so easily convinced or gullible being sold on "make"

He required a very specially regulated piano with virtually no after touch and about half the key dip of normal grands.

Watch his playing - he's barely touching the keys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RjebdVKIAM&feature=related

The piano that came closest to it if I remember right, was a Chickering.

Sheer coincidence?

Norbert

Probably why Gould seemed to Favor Chickering! Didn't his Chickering sell for big bucks several years ago?

"The piano that came closest to it if I remember right, was a Chickering."

Is that why he did most of his recordings on the Steinway?

It was his Steinway until it was dropped and irrevocably damaged. Read Romance on Three Legs.

Brandon, I believe that both the Chickering and the Steinway CD-318 are both in museums in Canada. You'd probably enjoy reading the book "Romance on Three Legs" about his life and search for the perfect instrument. You can get a copy pretty cheaply on Amazon. It's a gread read.

The Yamaha is on display in the lobby of Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto

thanks for the responses. but no one knows what he recorded the english suites on???

on the subject of shallower key dip i have to say it definitely helps with counterpoint as my vogel has a shallower than normal depth as well.

on the issue of tone and in my opinion the gould recordings of goldberg and english suites are superior in clarity and tone than his previous recordings. although i do enjoy his well tempered clavier recordings as well.

I don't have my usual resources in front of me, but I am quite sure it was recorded in Toronto at Eaton's on his famous Steinway CD 318. Listen for the 'hiccup'or double striking.

FWIW - in my opinion 'English Suites' is Gould's best. There is an almost 'romantic' sensitivity to this recording that I find very moving.

The Yamaha he recorded the last Goldberg variations on is (as someone stated) in the lobby of Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto. But it's not 'on display' per se, it's there to be played. It's regularly tuned and regulated. I've done a number of gigs on it and it has an exceptional bass register.
Steinway CD318 to the best of my knowledge is still in the main recording studio at the CBC. Like the Yamaha at Roy Thompson it's played regularly for recording sessions. I've played on two recordings where that piano was used--I think it's in serious need of an overhaul. I think it's very cool that those pianos are still there to be played, rather than being on display in a museum where they sit silent.

AJF, thanks for the first hand information. I also think it is great that those pianos are still being played.

Dan

That is just so sad he tried for 10 years... and then he died a year later

BTW, i didnt hear anyone mention what model of Yamaha he played???

Anyone?

I know I should read romance on three legs...

The biggest one

hahaha.... lol.. that would make sense.

Now that you mention Glenn Gould's Yamaha, it happens that today is his birthday: September 25, 1932 .

Oh my... We'll have to start a Happy B day thread!

Well then Happy Birthday Glenn... I hope God likes your performance today!

P.S. Say hello for us...

oh also does anyone know if gould altered his action on the yam like he did on the stein and how much?

sounds like boring details to most but to me its interesting stuff and i have time on my hands for a change this weekend.