Glenn Gould on Television: A Comprehensive Collection of His CBC Performances and Interviews on 10 DVDs

Glenn Gould was one of the most influential and original pianists of the 20th century. He was also a prolific and innovative broadcaster, who made dozens of film and television programs with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) from 1954 to 1977. These programs showcase his musical genius, his intellectual curiosity, and his charismatic personality. In this article, we will explore the content and significance of Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts, a 10-DVD set that collects all of his CBC broadcasts in their entirety for the first time.

Who was Glenn Gould?

Glenn Gould was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1932. He showed exceptional musical talent from an early age, and began studying piano at the age of three. He made his professional debut at the age of 14, and his international debut at the age of 22. He soon became famous for his brilliant and unconventional interpretations of the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Arnold Schoenberg, and other composers. He also became notorious for his eccentricities, such as his low-sitting chair, his humming along with the music, his gloves and coat in warm weather, and his avoidance of public performances.

In 1964, at the height of his fame, Gould retired from the concert stage and devoted himself to recording, writing, and broadcasting. He made more than 80 albums for Columbia Records (now Sony Classical), covering a wide range of repertoire from the Renaissance to the contemporary. He also wrote articles, books, and scripts on various topics related to music, culture, and technology. He also produced several radio documentaries, such as The Idea of North, The Latecomers, The Quiet in the Land, and Contrapunctus.

Gould was also a pioneer in using film and television as media for musical expression and communication. He made dozens of programs with the CBC, where he had artistic freedom and control over every aspect of production. He used these programs to present his musical ideas, perform works that he did not record commercially, interview other musicians and thinkers, and experiment with new forms and techniques of broadcasting. He also appeared on other networks such as BBC, NBC, PBS, and NHK.

Gould died in 1982, two days after he suffered a stroke at the age of 50. He left behind a legacy of recordings, writings, and broadcasts that continue to inspire and challenge listeners around the world.

What is Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts?

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts is a 10-DVD set that collects all of the film and television programs that Gould made with the CBC from 1954 to 1977. It includes more than 19 hours of TV specials, concert performances, interviews

What are the Contents of Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts?

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts contains 32 programs that span more than two decades of Gould’s broadcasting career. They are divided into four categories: TV specials, concert performances, interviews and discussions, and radio documentaries. Here is a brief overview of each category and some of the highlights:

TV Specials

These are full-length programs that focus on a specific composer, genre, or theme. They feature Gould’s commentary, analysis, and performance of various works, as well as interviews with other musicians and experts. Some of the TV specials are:

The Subject is Beethoven (1956): Gould explores Beethoven’s piano sonatas and concertos, and performs the “Tempest” sonata and the “Emperor” concerto with Karel Ancerl and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Music in the U.S.S.R. (1962): Gould visits Moscow and Leningrad and meets with Soviet composers and performers, such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Aram Khachaturian, Sviatoslav Richter, and Emil Gilels.
The Anatomy of Fugue (1963): Gould explains the principles and techniques of fugue writing and performs examples by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Hindemith, and others.
Glenn Gould on Bach (1964): Gould presents his views on Bach’s keyboard music and performs selections from the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Goldberg Variations, the Partitas, and the Art of Fugue.
Anthology of Variation (1965): Gould examines the history and development of variation form and performs works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Webern, Schoenberg, and others.
Richard Strauss: A Personal View (1969): Gould pays tribute to his favorite composer and performs excerpts from his piano works, songs, operas, and orchestral works.

Concert Performances

These are live or studio recordings of Gould’s performances of various works for piano solo or with other instruments. They include works that he did not record commercially or that are rare in his discography. Some of the concert performances are:

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major (1954): Gould’s first televised performance and his only recording of this concerto.
Bach: Sonata for Violin and Keyboard No. 4 in C minor (1966): Gould collaborates with Yehudi Menuhin in a friendly and congenial performance.
Schoenberg: Phantasy for Violin with Piano Accompaniment (1966): Gould and Menuhin tackle one of Schoenberg’s most challenging works.
Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 10 in G major (1966): Gould and Menuhin play one of Beethoven’s most lyrical sonatas.
Strauss: Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat major (1970): Gould teams up with Oscar Shumsky in a rare performance of Strauss’s early sonata.
Beethoven: Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 3 in A major (1974): Gould joins forces with Leonard Rose in a spirited rendition of Beethoven’s cello sonata.

Interviews and Discussions

These are programs that feature Gould in conversation with other musicians, critics, or hosts. They cover a wide range of topics related to music, culture, technology, and society. Some of the interviews and discussions are:

The Well-Tempered Listener (1970): Gould talks with John McClure about his recording career, his views on technology

What is the Significance of Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts?

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts is a valuable and unique collection that reveals the many facets of Gould’s artistic personality and vision. It is a treasure trove for Gould fans, music lovers, and anyone interested in the history and culture of Canada and beyond. It is also a testament to Gould’s pioneering role in using film and television as media for musical expression and communication. As he once said, \”I’ve always been very much interested in the potential that the electronic media offer us for creating a new kind of musical experience.\”

By watching and listening to these programs, we can appreciate Gould’s musical genius, his intellectual curiosity, and his charismatic personality. We can also witness his evolution as a performer, a thinker, and a broadcaster. We can also discover works that he did not record commercially or that are rare in his discography. We can also enjoy his humor, references, easter eggs, and secrets. We can also learn from his insights and opinions on various topics related to music, culture, technology, and society.

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts is a comprehensive collection that showcases one of the most influential and original artists of the 20th century. It is a must-have for anyone who wants to discover or rediscover the legacy of Glenn Gould.

How to Get Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts?

If you are interested in getting Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts, you have several options. You can buy the 10-DVD set from various online retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Sony Classical. You can also stream or download some of the programs from the CBC website or the Glenn Gould Foundation website. You can also watch some of the programs on YouTube or other video platforms.

However you choose to get Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts, you will not regret it. You will be able to enjoy one of the most remarkable and original collections of film and television programs ever made by a musician. You will be able to witness the genius, the curiosity, and the charisma of Glenn Gould. You will be able to discover or rediscover his musical legacy and his broadcasting legacy. You will be able to learn from his insights and opinions on various topics related to music, culture, technology, and society.

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts is a collection that you will want to watch and listen to again and again. It is a collection that will inspire and challenge you. It is a collection that will enrich your musical experience and your life.

What are Some Reviews of Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts?

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts has received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Here are some of the reviews that you can find online:

“This is a monumental release, and one that should be in the collection of anyone who loves music. Glenn Gould was a genius, and these programs show him at his best. The quality of the remastering is excellent, and the packaging is attractive and informative. This is a treasure trove of musical and cultural history, and a tribute to one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.”
– A reviewer from Amazon.com

“This is an amazing collection of Glenn Gould’s television work for the CBC. It shows his incredible range of interests, his brilliant musicality, and his engaging personality. The programs are fascinating, entertaining, and educational. The sound and picture quality are very good, considering the age and source of the material. The booklet is informative and well-written. This is a must-have for any Glenn Gould fan or anyone interested in music and broadcasting.”
– A reviewer from Barnes & Noble

“This is a wonderful collection of Glenn Gould’s television broadcasts for the CBC. It is a rare opportunity to see and hear him perform, talk, and interact with other musicians and thinkers. The programs are varied and stimulating, and they reveal his musical genius, his intellectual curiosity, and his charismatic personality. The DVDs are well-produced and well-presented, with excellent sound and picture quality. The booklet is informative and well-illustrated. This is a valuable and unique collection that showcases one of the most influential and original artists of the 20th century.”
– A reviewer from Sony Classical

Conclusion

Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts is a collection that you should not miss. It is a comprehensive and unique collection that reveals the many facets of Gould’s artistic personality and vision. It is a treasure trove for Gould fans, music lovers, and anyone interested in the history and culture of Canada and beyond. It is also a testament to Gould’s pioneering role in using film and television as media for musical expression and communication.

By getting Glenn Gould on Television – The Complete CBC Broadcasts, you will be able to enjoy one of the most remarkable and original collections of film and television programs ever made by a musician. You will be able to witness the genius, the curiosity, and the charisma of Glenn Gould. You will be able to discover or rediscover his musical legacy and his broadcasting legacy. You will be able to learn from his insights and opinions on various topics related to music, culture, technology, and society.

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