well isn't he a miserable man...

Well, yes, he's been dead for 25 years. I'm sure he's feeling very rotten.

....Also happened to have a rather Godly technique, brilliant clarity of articulation, and the utmost respect for counterpoint

And I'm certain Bach would have appreciated the extra layer of counterpoint Gould felt obliged to provide.

When I heard Gould remark that he thought Richard Strauss was the greatest composer of the 20th-century, and possibly of all time, I was first intrigued by the statement, but afterwards I just passed it off as another one of his eccentric pronouncements.

I discovered this interesting Gould site of archival audio tapes of a speech made by Gould, home recordings and test tapes - enjoy:

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/glenngould/028010-700-e.html

None too subtle in his Bach sadly.

...sorry

But what do we all think of his attitude towards his audience?

Tomasino

Are we all sure he's dead? I've never believed it for one. Such a hypochondriac and on his 50th birthday? I know it ranks with Elvis and Lord Lucan but it is just the kind of stunt he'd pull.

I always tell my students that Glenn Gould is and was the only person ever allowed to cross his legs at the piano and pedal with is left foot, and that was because he was strange but could play very well. When they get to be at that level, then they can cross their legs and pedal with their left foot. :p

I've tried it myself, quite relaxing actually, until I need to do something that requires both feet on the ground.

Such as comparing Barbra Streisand with Elizabeth Schwarzkopf. Surely you jest, Glenn...

Let's also remember he wrote a few pieces, including this brilliantly funny fugue for voice :
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_1ain4qftoM

He believed that the days of live performances were numbered, and that the recording studio was taking the place of the concert hall.

If I am not mistaken, Glenn Gould never wanted to BE a concert pianist. He wanted to record and record and record. Homburger pushed him to perform, but Gould never liked playing in public. Beautiful technique though... and such respect for counterpoint!

Has anyone heard the recording of the introductory words Leonard Bernstein gave just prior to a Glenn Gould performance of the Brahms d-minor piano concerto with the New York Philharmonic? It's priceless - here's a transcript:

http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~mwatts/glenn/lennie.html

Priceless? I'd say a bit disquieting. So, we're all agreed he's really dead then?

I happen to have a recording of the adagio of that first concerto, and I think Mr. Gould's interpretation of that is very good. The music itself is sublime, except for the part where you hear the tenor soloist singing with the piano.

I think Gould's recording of the Strauss Sonata, Op. 5 is extremely beautiful and romantic. (I also love his Burleske.) Hear the Adagio heard underneath other people's reminiscences from 32 Short Films about Glenn Gould (sound and image are a little out of synch):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1IuLT4ErUk

I must say I enjoyed that Fugue. Refined humor there.

I find Bernstein's 'disclaimer' patronising and self-serving.

Yes. Disgusting. He seems to be protecting himself.

He morphed into Andy Kaufman.