Glenn Gould - Bartók, String Quartet No. 4 Sz 91 (OFFICIAL)

As host and performer, Gould outlines the music of the 20th century and combines it with the ideas and art of the period.
In this part of the programme "Music In Our Time - Part 3: New Faces, Old Forms" Glenn Gould explores Béla Bartóks "String Quartet No. 4: Mvts. III & IV". Gould is supported by the Orford String Quartet. Remember to subscribe to stay up to date with all new releases on the channel.

00:00 Introduction by Glenn Gould
01:06 III Non troppo lento
06:35 IV Allegretto pizzicato

[r.i.p.volodya]

These days, how often do we get fine music introduced by the intelligent and informed, let alone with the insight of a genius like Gould?!

[BromeliadBro]

I gotta say that introduction by Gould is worth the price of admission alone. If only work like this were on television now. 1000 channels and so little creativity and risk... Also, these players look like accountants. Canada!

[euclid]

love seeing them all pizzing w different fingers

[MrNicks-gnjc]

The beginning of this work here (the slow movement) is some of the best harmonic coloring (think the art work of Kandinsky) in all of classical music IMHO. I was drawn first to Bartok from the beginning of the slow movement of his Second Piano Concerto, which does a similar thing. Also, similar ideas are in the Fourth Symphony of Charles Ives ALL OVER THE PLACE as well as his Central Park In The Dark.

This type of music is not 'point against point' (counterpoint); but RELATED. Listen to any of preludes in Bach's Well Tempered Clavier and see if can hum or 'hear in your head' the notes/chords that fit full phrases of notes...then come back to is listening to music a few 'layers' removed from the details (as opposed to Bach or Hindemith [as stated by Maestro Gould above] who get into the points or details)

The best way I can explain further is Bach is 8k HD video....Bartok is Sony WEGA tube TV....each has it's good and bad points -- based on perception.

[JohnJohnson-yijg]

Anyone know any good shows or podcasts online that discuss classical music like Gould does before this performance?

[Twentythousandlps]

The reason Gould didn't play here was that he did not care at all for Bartok's music. But he couldn't ignore it in a series on 20th Century music.

[ChristianGoergen]

Glad to hear some Bartok. Don’t let the ignoramusses distract you. Was this really broadcasted via TV? Amerika, Du hast es besser!

[truBador]

Very nice. Too bad Jan Sweelinck didn't write this. Then Glenn could have just played it on the piano. LOL.