Glenn Gould Live in Vancouver: Haydn: Sonata in E-flat Hob.XVI/49

There are two live recordings of Gould playing Haydn's Sonata in E-flat Hob.XVI/49: this one, performed in Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre on July 23, 1958; and one from Stockholm in the same year. The Goldberg Variations were also performed in this concert: • Glenn Gould Live in Va...
Gould dashes in headlong, at a breathtaking pace, perhaps a little too fast as he uncharacteristically hits clunkers at 0:08 and 0:28. Equally uncharacteristically, he repeats the exposition, flawlessly this time, as if to say, "Take two!".
Sources:
audio: Glenn Gould in Concert, WHRA-6038 (6 CDs)
score: imslp.org Public Domain

[@charlotterose6724]

Gould once said "The moment I think of something that I may be studying in the score, I will automatically associate it with a specific tactile approach". (Contemporary Keyboard, Aug 1980). I am hoping by following along with these scores, I will one day spontaneously be able to play like Gould. I think that's what he was getting at, anyway.
Thanks again for the rare gift, Bruce!

[@gopalkambo5885]

He was beautifully complex when it comes to questions of spontaneity versus premeditation, and perhaps even (frustratingly) paradoxical concerning ideal versus phenomenal conceptions of art (your quotation appears to advocate the latter).

[@KKIcons]

I didn't realize you were a fellow student of Gould's (or else I had forgottten.) Dr. Penny Johnson of Toronto is also such a person who is deeply influenced by him, so if you want to hear someone with the ideal that I think he had in mind, of a successor in spirit rather than in style, who has found their own style, it might be fun to look at her channel and blog if you haven't already. Another similar person, although very different in personality, is Stephen Malinowski. He is the genius behind the animated scores computer programs, and also he can be found playing some of the keyboard and organ pieces and even composing for them. That is the Smalin channel. He fulfills Gould's ideal of a modern musical recording career assisted by technology. My kids and I studied his scores extensively when they were young. It helped me with my music study very much I think.

[@johntravena119]

Think I’ve never heard this one! I’m sure Glenn would disapprove but it’s some brilliant playing.

[@KKIcons]

So amazing to find this exists. And what a perfect time of year to find out about it.

[@kathadax]

Thank you, Bruce Cross, for making these recordings with scores available. I’m loving it, even though my reading is not that god yet and I get lost sometimes! I am entranced by Gould’s piano, even in these youthful recordings. I don’t really have descriptive words for it, but there’s a uniqueness in his approach and an overwhelming devotion to music that just draws me in.

[@brucecross1164]

Thank you, Catherine, for sharing your impressions!

[@LiamMei]

I really appreciate the extra effort with the score, Bruce - thanks!!

[@quadricode]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

[@francescaemc2]

grazie

[@glenngouldschair390]

Isn’t there a recording of this from Gould in Sweden?

[@brucecross1164]

Yes, there is, from 1958.

[@brucecross1164]

studio.czcams.com/users/videosOSm_02q5bo/edit