Customer Reviews

Glenn Gould - The Russian Journey

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I am a Pianist/Composer who has been teaching piano as my full time profession for well over 23 years, so needless to say, music and the piano is a huge part of my life.

Though I must admit that was not a big fan of Gould's before seeing this DVD, I am a fan now! Though there's much about his approach to playing that isn't always my cup of tea, nor do I appreciate his attitude toward's Mozart (of whom he said something to the effect that "Mozart was a very bad composer who died to old rather than too young" which I thought was uncalled for, not only from a musical standpoint but as a human being).

Still, after seeing this documentary about his Russian trip one can't help but be taken in by his pure musical and emotional intensity, humanity, courage (in terms of boldly exposing his fellow musicians in the Soviet Union to music that was forbidden by the Government) and by his unbelievable playing as well.

In fact, I was completely mesmerized by his playing on this DVD. In spite of my previous feelings about Gould's playing, I put aside any prejudices I had previous to seeing this DVD and I was swept away by what I heard.

Beyond the musical side, you could see the sincere bond he made with the Russian people that he came into contact with, the real friendships that were forged (which were ongoing after his trip) and the way he inspired his fellow musicians. Music once again transcended all boundaries and he was a masterful musician.!

I was also impressed by the way he spoke out (on his Television Program) against the oppressive way the Soviet musicians were treated.

I can't say enough good things about this, all I can say is that this is a program I will watch over and over again for inspiration both as a musician but more importantly for inspiration as a human being.

Essential for Gould fanatics, among whose numbers I proudly count myself, but recommended for those who enjoy attempts to expose the phenomenon of genius, in any form. I have read about the Russians' response to Gould's visit, the first visit by any Western pianist after the advent of the Cold War, but to watch Russian audiences embrace him, in all his idiosyncratic splendor, was a beautiful thing, as was his acceptance of their approval. All of Gould's behavioral hit parade is on display: the hunching, the humming, the conducting hands, as well as his mufflered, mittened, behatted self. Western critics decried such tics, and were endlessly inventive in finding ways to say "weird" in more journalistic, less pedestrian terms, but the Russians apparently understood that such genius (again, I use the word, there is nothing else for it) does not invite explanation, only wonder, and accepted him without question. Bittersweet, however, were the reminiscences of those who knew him, watched him develop, accompanied him during the trip (in particular, his Russian translator and his longtime manager)--none of whom truly embodied the word "elderly" at the time of taping--because it raises the question of why he died when he was only 50... not the physiological determinants of his demise, but rather the reason we were deprived of him so early. One caution, however: ignore the absurd re-enactments, which feature a brooding Gould lookalike loping along the Moscow streets. Historic in nature, illuminating in scope, this DVD is a must.

The topic of this documentary about Glenn Gould's trip to Russia is definitely a fascinating one, but I was disappointed to discover that there are no uninterrupted segments of Gould's playing. When they do show such footage, it is brief and people talk over it. I know that there are other DVDs that feature his playing, and it is one of these others that I wish I had purchased in the first place.

To quote John Keats:

"Oft of one wide expanse had I been told

That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne;

Yet did I never breathe its pure serene

Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold"

For many years I had heard of Glenn Gould, but really had no idea of his music until I saw "Glenn Gould Hereafter" by Bruno Monsangeon on TV in November, 2006. It was spellbinding. (Substitute Gould for Homer and Monsangeon for Chapman above and you will understand how I felt)

I immediately ordered a number of DVDs and CDs of Gould ... all of them amazing.

At times listening to his music is a spiritual experience: Goldberg Variation 30 (1982), for example. But this note is about Beethoven's Opus 126, Number 3, as performed by Glenn Gould on the DVD, "The Russian Journey."

Gould personalizes the music of Bach and Beethoven, etc, but does so in the most respectful way. He honors the composers with his interpretations, and I am sure they would be honored also.

Gould's playing of Beethoven's Bagatelle Opus 126, Number 3 is almost astonishing in its depth and sensitivity. One feels at one with the universe watching it and listening to it. What an experience. As amazing as Gould's performance is, he almost underdoes it. He never goes for cheap showmanship, but his rapture? trance? ecstasy? transcendence? is there for all the world to see.

Do yourself a favor. Venture into Gould's orbit.

WestCoastJoe

This is more a video book than anything else, as there isn't much music here: only a few clips each with only a few phrases. The documentary is seen more from a Russian point of view. Quite right. Glenn Gould went there at the nip of time: they were lost in artistical values then and he was the first American musician to perform there at a time when public performance of Bach was forbidden. Moreover, Russia was so receptive of artists of real talent and of novel things and ideas from outside. Glenn Gould was deservingly a hero in Russia, having made an enormous impact that is still very much alive even today.

In this DVD, we have some clips of Glenn Gould wandering alone in the streets of Russia, perhaps as his translator said, to take in the beauty of the city; and also a depiction of his hotel room in the ambassy plus the concert halls that he performed. Other than that, we have a lot of reviews and comments from the Russian intellectuals who attended his recitals/concerts, including some comments from top Russian musicians like Nikolayeva and even Richter (the latter actually showed up in greeting him), though his comment came only through the mouth of Rosptropovich.

Yes, as a documentary this DVD is interesting enough particularly if you have been to Moscow and St Petersburg before. Glenn Gould was then so young and somuch more vogorous. His interaction withthe camera was very natural too. But if you are looking for music or in-depth analysis , this may not be for you.

Gould is hardly present in this DVD. You'll hear him playing, and you'll see a few shots, but that's pretty much it.

And yet somehow this documentary manages to be so informative, so very moving. You'll hear what other pianists thought of Gould. Greats like Ashkenazy and Richter. You'll hear from people who were Moskow at the time Gould came to visit. You'll hear about the tremendous impact Gould had upon the lives he touched.

This is one of my favorite documentaries on Gould.

This is a pretty good effort with very limited materials. A reconstruction through contemporary photos and archival material and also some very interesting and charming interview material by russian pianists deeply affected by Gould's revolutionary (excuse the pun) visit. Gould's visit, the first by a notable pianist and from the unknown Canada to boot, was like a breath of fresh to Russian musicians who lived within the appalling restrictions of a totalitarian state. Gould was rapturously received not only because of his amazing talent and pianism but also because of what he represented - an ideal of artistic freedom and independence.

Sadly, there are no contemporary recordings and no film footage!!! That is of course what we all wait for but it never comes. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this doco very much.

Rob

I've enjoyed all the reviews posted on this important Gould film, but I cannot help pointing out that Gould was NOT American. He himself would want to point this out to anyone under this impression. He was Canadian.