Glenn Gould


The Canadian pianist Glenn Gould was famous for vocalizing while he played, which made it hard to record his keyboard performances. I’m listening to some keyboard transcriptions of Wagner orchestral works written and performed by Gould. Inside the record jacket is also a transcript of an interview Gould did with Ken Haslam of the CBC. An excerpt:
KH: Well, now, before you wrote out your transcription, how did you navigate the [last three minutes of Meistersinger] in performance at home?
GG: By the simple expedient of leaving out one or other of the principal voices and adding a Sing-along-with-Mitch-style descant.
KH: Of which there is already quite enough on your records as they stand, if I may say so, Mr. Gould!
GG: Your comments noted and filed, Mr. Haslam.

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