OK folks, I've done some research on this and I've got good news and bad
news.
I watched this fantastic video and taped it. At the beginning of the
video they do indeed flash the 1-800 number James mentioned:
1-800-955-7711, and a web site: cbc.ca/boutique . The bad news is, I
just talked to a person there... the only GG video available from their
"boutique" is the GG Life and Times video (which if you haven't seen, is
pretty good!). There is no Russian Journey available from their web
site. Indeed, the CBC person told me that the CBC Boutique info should
have been flashed up at 7:00 PM that night, when they actually played
the Life and Times video. So in other words... a mistake. (I actually
informed the person on the phone of the telefilm.gc.ca page on the
video, listing the producer and a supplier, who doesn't return phone
calls).
The sort-of good news is that he gave me the email address and telephone
number for "CBC Audience Relations", which is the department at the CBC
responsible for all feedback on CBC television and radio programs. Who
is to say what the result will be if enough people send in comments with
positive feedback on the show, and request information on where to get
the video. Although only Canadian taxpayers theoretically fund the CBC,
I'm sure if there's enough international feedback regarding this video,
we can get our Prime Minister to pass a law requiring all GG videos to
be made available on demand. Or maybe not.
Anyway, the CBC Audio Relations can be reached at 1-866-306-4636, or
cbcinput@toronto.cbc.ca. I would strongly encourage anyone with strong
feedback on the entire day of GG programming to make your comments
known. Canadian government-funded rganizations thrive on positive
feedback - it's how they justify their government funding for the next
budget round.
Anyway, it was a great video, although only one hour long (even though
they listed it as two hours). They played the '81 Goldberg Variations
video back-to-back (the fabulous video produced by that wonderful French
producer, Bruno Monsaingeon). Let me tell you, the Russians LOVE Glenn
Gould. There was a lot of very articulate commentary from Russian
pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy, who basically explained that Gould opened
the eyes of Russians to a life outside of what they had known.
Fantastic.
Cheers,
Matthew
-----Original Message-----
From: James Whiskeychan [mailto:ojibwa50@HOTMAIL.COM]
Sent: September 24, 2002 9:57 PM
To: F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU
Subject: The Russian Journey
Actually, CBC TV is broadcasting the 2 specials tonight. The Life and
Times documentary on his life, as well as a 2-hour film of Glenn's trip
to Russia.
The Russian Journey was only an hour. The second hour was The Goldberg
Variations.
For those of you outside the CBC range, you can purchase the Russian
Journey. 1 800 955 7711. (I think it is 800 not 888. After 3 hours of
Glenn I lost my TV privledges so I can't rewind the tape to check! I
have the Goldberg video so after 1/2 hour of it I handed over the
remote. The channel was changed immediately. )
This gave a new view of GG. Beautiful footage of Russian. Political
and cultural background. The Russian musicians were (and still are)
very grateful to Gould for letting people know the conditions they were
working under. One comment from a Russian authority struck me as funny.
He said GG's views were a "logical product of the free world."
I hope I can get the TV back tommorrow. Oh well, I have *my own* radio.
Good luck to all who entered the story and audio contests.
James
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