Glenn Gould's "Secret"

[pianobabe_56]

I had an excellent adjudication the other day, and performed Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C# major. The adjudicator mentioned that one of the 'secrets' of Glenn Gould's playing is that he never pounds out the entire subject. He accents the entrances of the theme to help focus the listener's ear, and then backs off. His other voices are also extremely well developed and interesting.

It was quite the epiphany for me! He also mentioned stuff about Ravel and playing french music in general.

[mcgillcomposer]

Interesting adjudication!  I love Gould   BTW, he talks about some of this in a new book containing conversations on his thoughts about music.  Can't remember who the publisher or interviewer is :S Sorry...just look it up on Borders website, or chapters.indigo.ca

- Andrew

[pita bread]

I had an excellent adjudication the other day, and performed Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C# major. The adjudicator mentioned that one of the 'secrets' of Glenn Gould's playing is that he never pounds out the entire subject. He accents the entrances of the theme to help focus the listener's ear, and then backs off. His other voices are also extremely well developed and interesting.

It was quite the epiphany for me! He also mentioned stuff about Ravel and playing french music in general.

What did he mention about Ravel? And what did you play?

[contrapunctus]

Glenn is just one of the greatest musical geniuses of the twentieth century.

[bearzinthehood]

Glenn is just one of the greatest musical geniuses of the twentieth century.

 

[pianobabe_56]

What did he mention about Ravel? And what did you play?

I played Jeaux d'Eau, and had been using the Abby Simon recording to help get interpretation ideas. He totally shot that down! He said that Ravel HATED to be interpreted, and what he put down on the page, he meant. He absolutely despised rubato, and wanted "rhythmic rigor"--not just accuracy, RIGOR. It was a very interesting adjudication. I guess the theory behind composers like Ravel is that they thought that if you took something beautiful (like their music) and added rubato and sappy interpretations, it would make it too saccharine. It was very interesting, and I'm having fun playing with his suggestions!

[maxy]

Glenn is just one of the greatest musical geniuses of the twentieth century.

This guy may be a troll, but his statement is right:  Glenn Gould was a genius. You can like him, hate him but you have to aknowledge him. 

[maxy]

I played Jeaux d'Eau, and had been using the Abby Simon recording to help get interpretation ideas. He totally shot that down! He said that Ravel HATED to be interpreted, and what he put down on the page, he meant. He absolutely despised rubato, and wanted "rhythmic rigor"--not just accuracy, RIGOR. It was a very interesting adjudication. I guess the theory behind composers like Ravel is that they thought that if you took something beautiful (like their music) and added rubato and sappy interpretations, it would make it too saccharine. It was very interesting, and I'm having fun playing with his suggestions!

Indeed Ravel said something like: "to play my music, precisely as written, is enough".
But then again, Ravel heard Horowitz play some of his pieces, not conventionally and he ended up saying: "we don't play like that in France, but I can't say he (Horowitz) is wrong in his approach."    Quotes are somewhat freely translated by little me. 

So yeah, Ravel was maybe strict, but not TOO stiff.

[pita bread]

I played Jeaux d'Eau, and had been using the Abby Simon recording to help get interpretation ideas. He totally shot that down! He said that Ravel HATED to be interpreted, and what he put down on the page, he meant. He absolutely despised rubato, and wanted "rhythmic rigor"--not just accuracy, RIGOR. It was a very interesting adjudication. I guess the theory behind composers like Ravel is that they thought that if you took something beautiful (like their music) and added rubato and sappy interpretations, it would make it too saccharine. It was very interesting, and I'm having fun playing with his suggestions!

I would have given that guy the middle-finger salute and left.

[contrapunctus]

This guy may be a troll, but his statement is right:  Glenn Gould was a genius. You can like him, hate him but you have to aknowledge him. 

I am not a troll anymore.