I asked 6 pianists what they think of Glenn Gould (ft. Ax, Fleisher, Bernstein, et al)

40 years after his death, Glenn Gould continues to inspire and irritate.

0:00 #1 Leon Fleisher
1:20 #2 Robert Durso
1:44 #3 Anne-Marie McDermott
2:28 #4 Seymour Bernstein
3:42 What Gould did to Mozart
5:36 Gould the provocateur
7:28 #5 Frederic Chiu
9:22 #6 Emanuel Ax

Watch in-depth lessons and interviews with

Free PDF: 11 Practice Tips + Bonus Planner
Learn how to structure your practice routine like a pro.
Download the free PDF containing 11 practice tips and a bonus practice planner to help you achieve more focused, efficient practice, and refine the habits necessary to achieve your musical goals!

Produced and edited by Ben Laude.

---

[tonebasePiano]

And part 2 is coming in a few days. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, thanks for the lively debate.

[pairofsocks]

My mother took care of Gould in the final days of his life as a bed side nurse. She tells me about how he had such wonderfully soft and smooth hands.

[japanjay]

My Dad is buried in the same cemetery as Gould; about a 10 minute walk from his plot. Every time I pay my Dad a visit I make sure to stop by Glenn’s place to say hi. My Dad turned me on to Glenn Gould as a child and it’s fitting they’d end up as neighbours.

[davisatdavis]

"What about what he did to Mozart?" I can't stop replaying that bit.

[nomansland]

I am a piano student and this is one of my favorite videos of all time on YT. Sensational interviews intertwined with the footage of Gould. Just amazing

[L_Martin]

I love that you included someone who didn't like him! Usually videos are too scared to include opposing opinion, it all has to be hagiography.

[ChannelSettingsTvcode]

Love the mix of interpretations. There is always room for a appreciation and critique. That is the foundation of art.

[JohnSmith-oekx]

One of my favourite comments about Gould is that it is often like listening to an X-ray of the music--as though you can see inside the composition to discover its inner workings. But I can certainly understand that this can be a love-it-or-hate-it proposition.

[wolfie]

I lost it when Seymour asked “What about what he did TO Mozart?” 😂

[JSB]

02:30 I don't turn to Gould for beautiful renditions. But I've not once listened to him and thought and felt nothing. Every single time I hear him play something, I'm filled with thoughts and feelings. I don't feel the desire to emulate, but I am most definitely inspired.

[EnvelopeWizard]

My favorite thing is how in all of Gould’a recordings you can hear his incessant humming but everyone just puts up with because he’s such a visionary

[PedraamJam]

"Theres no point in duplicating a performance that has been done before"
I like/respect his philosophy

[janetroy]

Here it is 40 years since Glenn Gould died, and we still listen, watch. Love. Are fascinated. Hear new things in the music. I'm so grateful that after he left the concert stage, he made so many recordings and TV programs--we have much to enjoy, to love, to enjoy.

[beachcomber]

Never understood how he didn't 'get' what is so magical about Mozart, but his Bach is fantastic and what an amazing mind he had.

[chickadddee]

As a music lover, it is a complete joy listening to different interpretations, different artists playing or singing the same piece. I love it because it alerts me to the sensitive core of it all, to a nuance, another texture that is surprising, a cadence emphasized, something bolder, softer, warmer or technically astonishing. Isn't that the reason for it all? And of course you will have your favourites, your own filters and preferences. That closes the circle.

[steviejd]

I first heard Gould play Bach’s Goldberg Aria, and it inspired me to learn it. I bought a Roland HP Digital Piano (apologies to the far superior natural analog pianos, and to Mr Gould too), however, I love it. I gave myself 5 years to learn it….it seemed like an eternity; I wrote at the top of the score ‘learn to play it, the time will pass anyway’. It has, and I can play it. Life achievement tick. Next I must attend The Grand Canyon Star Party.

[JeffreyLByrd]

When I was studying music as an undergrad, one of my teachers used to say, “Great players pay well in spite of their technical problems, not because of them.” I am reminded of that while watching this.

[tomsheppard]

If tonebase could do a similar video about Horowitz, I’d love it. Great respect for Gould!

[MultiCappie]

I can't think of a non-composer who has ever attracted as much discussion in classical music. Polarising, true, but the North pole has a lot more people around it than the South. Visionary. Genius. Virtuoso. Master. And of an importance transcendent of simple craft.

[scotthullinger]

Old pianists die, and some just fade away.
But Glenn Gould won't even fade away, simply because he's such a powerful life force of music and opinion. His star will forever be shining bright, whether or not you hate Glenn Gould.
What you hear is Gould's style and interpretation.
Every pianist has his own style and interpretation.
All things considered ... Glenn Gould has far more followers than detractors.
If you hear Glenn Gould more than you hear Bach, then you don't know Bach.
If Gould were the one and only performer of Bach's music you were familiar with, then you could make no comparisons.