Glenn Gould and Leonard Bernstein: Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 1 (I) in D minor (BWV 1052)

This clip is absolutely sensational: as education, composition and in performance.

Glenn Gould was 28 years old here.

For the impatient, Gould's performance begins at 5:08, but I strongly encourage you to watch Leonard Bernstein's fascinating introduction.

This film originally aired in 1960 on CBS Television as part of its "Ford Presents" series.

The entire film in high quality (of which this clip is a small part) was painstakingly hunted down by YouTuber erp65 and his friends. It can be found here, and I urge you, I really DO urge you, to see it in its entirety:

I have sought erp65's permission to cross-post, as a courtesy, but I have not yet heard back. Meanwhile, my abject enthusiasm got the better of me.

This film has to be promulgated far and wide. This was erp65's entire intention here, and we owe him and his friends enormous thanks.

New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
Piano: Glenn Gould

[AntPDC]

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[thanagan]

This is so incredible. The conductor talks music, explains, plays the piano, discusses Hamlet, all for 4 mins straight and with an entire orchestra behind him. Then he proves once and for all a conductor's vital role in leading an orchestra. And then they begin...

[nickcurran]

Brilliant, but humble. Bernstein: "Glenn Gould must decide, and I as his accompanist...". Not his maestro or conductor, but simply his accompanist. I love that line.

[elenitapianohoy]

I never saw a pianist like Glenn. So fragile . So unique. So humble. With his little chair . Singing feeling crying too. He will never be repeated

[larrybethune]

Gould's chord melody sense was immaculate. He naturally accented notes in either hand, with any finger, to highlight the overarching melodic structure. Amazing control.

[kezothehappylurker]

FINALLY, A cameraman that keeps the camera on his HANDS and not exclusively on his face!

[edgotsis]

When three geniuses (Bach, Bernstein, Gould) get together we expect nothing less of perfection!!! Outstanding!!!

[chokin]

Bernstein introduction is so articulated and educational that it is a performance in itself.

[awakeamericanow]

Bach wrote his musical ideas three hundred years ago. The fact that the music is relevant and vibrant to our ears today says something significant about the mysteries of music.

[BirdYoumans]

My admiration for Bernstein knows no bounds. He was one of a kind. A performer, composer, arranger AND teacher. Usually people who are genius players don't teach well because they are too far above the pupil. But Bernstein had such a wonderful way of teaching what he knew. He taught me the number scale on one of his children's concerts and it was like a light bulb going off in my brain that totally changed my way of understanding music. I will always be grateful. I made a living in music for 50 years. Still do.

[exerciserelax]

I don't know how anyone can listen to this and not feel they are in the presence of true greatness. In this case, quadruple greatness: Bach's music itself, Gould's playing, Bernstein's conducting, and the orchestra's performance.

[janebishop]

It makes me want to cry out of sheer awe at what people have been capable of and I fear we have lost much of the talent potential in the modern world of social media with plastic lives and plastic audiences of little depth. ....an amazing performance by Gould and Maestro Bernstein interpreting the Master, Bach.

[EricHowl]

So beautiful. I love the intro and old school pictures where they spoke to the audience like we were all inquisitive geniuses

[yamchathewolf]

If you start listening to this performance you can't stop listening until you've reached the ending. Feels like there is something spiritual about this performance that goes straight into your core.

[twangbarfly]

When all is said and done, the incredible love of Bach in Gould's fingers is perhaps one of the greatest love stories that this world will ever witness...

[walkingwithosiris]

Alternate title: listen to (and watch) a master pianist hypnotize himself.

Awesome performance

[DavidPhilipNorris]

The other comments about Bernstein's masterful introduction and Gould's incredible interpretation aside, can we talk about the camerawork for this broadcast for a moment? It doesn't just capture the performance—the close-ups of Gould's hands, or his feet on the pedals, or his enraptured expression when playing a passage he particularly loved, or cutting over to Bernstein conducting, or a shot of the entire ensemble… it captures a sense of intimacy that almost gives the viewer a feeling of being there, experiencing the music in person. We don't see that kind of care and attention often anymore, at least in the States. Beautifully filmed!

[mj]

Glen Gould was absolutely a treasure at the keyboard. I love watching and listening to him. He was divinely gifted.

[joncheskin]

It is difficult to imagine this piece played any better. It almost looks like Bach in heaven is sending a direct message to Gould that flows right out of him into the audience. A completely miraculous thing to watch.

[MultiCappie]

Takes extreme guts, intellect, and wisdom for a conductor, especially one of stature, to know to stay in the background. Applause to Berenstein for knowing where he stands.