Glenn Gould, Canadian pianist and composer (d. 1982)
Glenn Herbert Gould (; né Gold; 25 September 1932 – 4 October 1982) was a Canadian classical pianist. He was one of the most famous and celebrated pianists of the 20th century, and was renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Gould's playing was distinguished by remarkable technical proficiency and a capacity to articulate the contrapuntal texture of Bach's music.
Gould rejected most of the standard Romantic piano literature by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and others, in favour of Bach and Beethoven mainly, along with some late-Romantic and modernist composers. Although his recordings were dominated by Bach and Beethoven, Gould's repertoire was diverse, including works by Mozart, Haydn, and Brahms; pre-Baroque composers such as Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, William Byrd, and Orlando Gibbons; and 20th-century composers including Paul Hindemith, Arnold Schoenberg, and Richard Strauss. Gould was known for his eccentricities, from his unorthodox musical interpretations and mannerisms at the keyboard to aspects of his lifestyle and behaviour. He stopped giving concerts at age 31 to concentrate on studio recording and other projects.
Gould was also a writer, broadcaster, composer and conductor. He was a prolific contributor to musical journals, in which he discussed music theory and outlined his musical philosophy. He performed on television and radio, and produced three musique concrète radio documentaries, the Solitude Trilogy, about isolated areas of Canada. Though known chiefly as a pianist, Gould capped off his musical career with a recording of Wagner's Siegfried Idyll as conductor.
1932Sep, 25
Glenn Gould
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Events on 1932
- 3Jan
United Fruit Company
Martial law is declared in Honduras to stop a revolt by banana workers fired by the United Fruit Company. - 18Feb
Manchuria
The Empire of Japan declares a puppet state of Manzhouguo (the obsolete Chinese name for Manchuria) independent from the Republic of China and installed former Chinese Emperor Aisin Gioro Puyi as Chief Executive of the State. - 1Mar
Lindbergh kidnapping
Charles Lindbergh's son is reportedly kidnapped. - 4May
Al Capone
In Atlanta, mobster Al Capone begins serving an eleven-year prison sentence for tax evasion. - 20Jul
Paul von Hindenburg
In the Preußenschlag ("Prussian coup"), German President Paul von Hindenburg dissolves the government of Prussia