Conversations with Glenn Gould

by Jonathan Cott, Glenn Gould

One of the most idiosyncratic and charismatic musicians of the twentieth century, pianist Glenn Gould (1932–82) slouched at the piano from a sawed-down wooden stool, interpreting Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart at hastened tempos with pristine clarity. A strange genius and true eccentric, Gould was renowned not only for his musical gifts but also for his erratic he often hummed aloud during concerts and appeared in unpressed tails, fingerless gloves, and fur coats. In 1964, at the height of his controversial career, he abandoned the stage completely to focus instead on recording and writing.

Jonathan Cott, a prolific author and poet praised by Larry McMurtry as "the ideal interviewer," was one of the very few people to whom Gould ever granted an interview. Cott spoke with Gould in 1974 for Rolling Stone and published the transcripts in two long articles; after Gould's death, Cott gathered these interviews in Conversations with Glenn Gould , adding an introduction, a selection of photographs, a list of Gould's recorded repertoire, a filmography, and a listing of Gould's programs on radio and TV. A brilliant one-on-one in which Gould discusses his dislike of Mozart's piano sonatas, his partiality for composers such as Orlando Gibbons and Richard Strauss, and his admiration for the popular singer Petula Clark (and his dislike of the Beatles), among other topics, Conversations with Glenn Gould is considered by many, including the subject, to be the best interview Gould ever gave and one of his most remarkable performances.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma excelente conversa, dirigida de forma inteligente e intimista por Jonathan Cott. Aqui desvendam-se alguns segredos do génio Glenn Gould. Um prodígio excêntrico e próximo dos deuses. Um livro muito bonito.

[Jeff Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These interviews are a launching pad for Glenn Gould's monologues on many musical topics. Turns out, it's extremely worthwhile to spend time inside the virtuoso pianist's fine-tuned mind. He's thoughtful, articulate, and eccentric - shredding received wisdom with impressive humor. My knowledge of classical music is pretty scant, but his discussions of the particulars of his artistic craft and path were never less than engaging.

[n* Dalal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, as you would expect. Having listened to Gould speak on radio archives, I found I read his responses in "his voice," so to speak, and it made the read so much better. The interviews are brilliant, Glenn Gould is sympathetic and exciting and interesting. I'm such a fan.

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two great masters of the keyboard are Monk and Glenn Gould. Both of them were also 'eccentric' to put it mildly. Jonathan Cott, the great interviewer, did a book length conversation with Gould- and it is a great read. You don't even have to know 'classical music' to enjoy their conversation. Plus the fact that Gould hates the Beatles yet adores the music of Tony Hatch and Petulia Clark ("Downtown") is such a great head scratcher. Gould is the late king of music

For those who are interested I just added some Gould footage to my blog site at :

http://tamtambooks-tosh.blogspot.com/

[Charles Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indelible conversation with one of the greatest musicians and musical thinkers to ever live. It’s short length allows for multiple readings with no fatigue. This is a book to return to again and again.

[Ron Scrogham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a delightful book that conveys well Gould's genius and sense of humor. There is a rather technical aspect to the discussion of music that would likely only be understood by musicians. Still, it is a gossipy, but erudite conversation with a a witty eccentric.

[Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek bestaat uit drie delen: een tweedelig interview dat de schrijver van Glenn Gould heeft afgenomen (met een week tussen het eerste en het tweede deel), en een derde deel dat handelt over de 'affaire' met George Szell. Vooral delen één en drie waren interessant. De eerste twee bladzijden van dat interview geven bijzonder veel inzicht in de wijze waarop Gould pianospelen benadert.

"I was recently talking to a group of educators about the problems concerning the teaching of pianists in institutionalized technical 'factories'. [...] And I said: Given half an hour of your time and your spirit and a quiet room, I could teach any of you how to play the piano - everything there is to know about playing the piano can be taught in half an hour, I'm convinced of it. I've never done it and I never intend to do it, because it's centipedal in the Schoenbergian sense - that is to say, in the sense in which Schoenberg was afraid to be asked why he used a certain row in a certain way, saying he felt like the centipede, which doesn't want to think about the movement of its hundred legs because it would become impotent; it couldn't walk at all if it did think about it."

Wat meteen de reden is waarom elke goede (muziek)leraar altijd wel aanhaalt dat de student niet te veel mag nadenken over wat hij doet.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-anaesthesic dentistry.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but important book for those who are interested in the unique life and talent of the worlds greatest pianists.

[Manfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informative, but not a biography. Therefor more information is needed. Mostly technical and theoretical aspects; Including Discography.