Re: Post '81 Gould

Hi there,

I, too just joined the list last week and have been thrilled at the discussions that have been generated over a wide range of topics;

In response to your question, I find that with certain artists like Glenn Gould, it's difficult to separate the artist from the music they interpret... or bring to life. I remember as a child, I was more impressed by his "eccentricities" and performance styles than anything else. But now...?

I've come to appreciate and understand certain music like Bach's, through Glenn Gould and how he has presented it. I'm not so sure whether the same kind of understanding and enjoyment could've been derived through other artists, for instance - if I had been exposed more to Perahia or Schiff and their interpretations, whether I would regard Bach in the same way as I do now (not that I don't recognize their own uniqueness; it's just a matter of preference, I guess).

There are many aspects of Glenn Gould's personal life that I do indeed find fascinating - regardless of whether they directly relate to his music or not. (I mean, the inexplicable joy that comes from visiting his grave or eating at the diner that he frequented ??!@#@). I'm not sure what I'm trying to say... sometimes you only regard the artist or performer through their work; but then there are times when aspects of their personality or life seem to interfere or overshadow their work.. but does that necessarily change their work? or does it merely change our perspective and level of appreciation? I mean, people listen to von Karajan the Nazi sympathizer, read Nietzsche the misogynist, etc etc...

I guess I'm not really answering your question, huh? Well.. what are your opinions?

Kind regards,

Laura

P.S. just out of curiosity, what chamber concert performance were you at when you heard of his death (if you can remember)?

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Hitchner <camelbreath@3WEB.NET>
To: F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU <F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Sunday, May 06, 2001 12:21 AM
Subject: Post '81 Gould

     Hello All:

     I should start by saying that I've only been on this list for a week and was planning to watch, wait and read for a while to determine whether or not I had anything worthwhile to say. I will say this..... so far, I've been fascinated with all the dialogue that's been taking place so far on this list.

    Background wise..... I have to honestly say that I first became aware of Glenn Gould through the efforts of Yehudi Menuhin's Music Of Man series back in '78 or '79 on CBC T.V. I was immediately struck by the forcefulness of the personality of this artist Glenn Gould , watching him spar with Yehudi Menuhin over the pros and cons of studio recording versus live performance. Later, I was able to read portions of the transcripts of these coversations in the Music Of Man book and also in David Dubal's book Conversations with Menuhin.  I came to realize the merits of what GG was saying in regard to live performance versus recording. I actually came to be informed of the death of Glenn Gould while I was sitting in the audience at a chamber music recital, having just purchased a copy of that particular week's Maclean's magazine on the way to the concert.

    One thing I would like to inject into this conversation is: Although I find the conversation about Gould fascinating in the extereme, I would ask myself - and anyone else interested - what is the ultimate goal of our interest in music? At the end of the day, are we primarily interested in music itself, or are we interested primarily in the artists who make it? Be it the current crop of charismatic soloists, great conductors, or whoever. Are we more interested in the music, and the lives, times and personalities of the people who wrote the music in the first place -- the composers -- or just the personality cult of the interpretive artists. Which do you think is more important?

    Sincerely,

    Tim Hitchner