Glenn Gould has given music lovers plenty to think about in the 80 years since his birth. We know him as a multidisciplinary artist whose activities began at the piano and branched out from there. This week, Tempo looks at Gould in his own words, through five quotations that show five different sides of the man who continues to inspire and enthrall us. Today, side two.
“I detest audiences. I think they’re a force of evil.” – Glenn Gould, 1966
Gould discusses his distaste for the concert hall in a 1966 interview with Alex Trebek on CBC Television.
On the 80th anniversary of Gould’s birth, today’s quotation looks at his boldest move: a complete withdrawal from the concert stage.
Can you blame him?
If you know a perfectionist, or are one yourself, you can imagine why Gould preferred the comforts of a recording studio to the pressures of the stage. In the studio, Gould could sit in his windowless paradise and repeat takes as many times as he liked. He was in complete control.
On stage, Gould was criticized for his abstract mannerisms, sloppy dress and impulsive performances. When Gould performed, critics would eagerly sharpen their pencils and audiences would arrive expecting a spectacle. Gould only cared about the music.
For these reasons, it’s difficult to imagine why anyone was surprised when Gould abandoned his career as “a travelling monkey on the concert circus” to run off and join the recording studio. Thanks to his remarkable recorded legacy, you can’t help but be glad he did.
You can hear more from Gould on today’s Tempo. Get more Tempo on Twitter and Facebook.
What do you think? Was it any surprise that Gould stopped performing live for audiences? Would you have done the same? Let us know in the comments section.
Related:
Glenn Gould’s Goldberg Variations on Tempo