Customer Reviews

32 Short Films About Glenn Gould: Motion Picture Soundtrack (1993 Film)

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If you have studied music all your life and grown weary of the state of the performing arts and are trying to remember why you fell in love with it initially (like me) OR if you have never appreciated classical pianio music and are wondering what all the fuss is about BUY THIS RECORDING AND LISTEN TO IT! As a pianist who gave up the trade in favor of my mental health this stuff made me break out in a cold sweat. It's the real thing.

Glenn Gould's artistry inspires admiration. Each piece on this cd is delightful. For example, Bach's Prelude English Suite for keyboard No. 5 in E minor & the Prelude and Gigue from the English Suite for keyboard No. 2 in A minor. Bach's Little prelude in D Minor tramples its identity and morphs into adolescents. The Beethoven is remarkable and the effects he creates for some of the pieces is undeniably unique and certainly sets an interpretive standard.

And lastly, to think Gould introduces us to great compositions which would inevitably become my favorite tracks on the CD: Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 5 Adagio cantabile composed by Richard Strauss and 11. Sonatina No. 2, for piano in E major, Op. 67/2 Andantino composed by Jean Sibelius.

This is an outstanding soundtrack to an outstanding movie. For the listener who is new to Gould, this CD presents Gould's talents as a Bach performer, as well as his less well-known, but equally impressive talents as a performer of late 19th and 20th century music, with some stringent, thrilling Beethoven to boot. For the experienced Gould listener,it provides a chance to compare and contrast Gould's approach to various forms of music. One of the most noteworthy pieces on this CD is the interpretation of the Adagio from Richard Strauss's youthful Piano Sonata in B minor. Recorded close to the time of his death, it reveals the rare pianist who can play Romantic music with incredible clarity and emotional depth. Gould's approach to this piece is tender and wistful, distant in a way that affords it a sense of isolation and profound sadness. The reprise of Bach's music at the end of the CD is chilling and bursting with Gould's uniquely emotional approach to this music. Listening to this CD is an experience in and of itself. Don't miss out on it.

This is a brilliant album! It would be nice if everything were recorded in DDD. Other than this, I cannot recommend a change that would make this CD more enjoyable than it already is. Gould is a recognized master, but seldom is an album published that provides a listener the opportunity to see the range and power of such a performer in action. If you enjoyed the movie, this CD will be a welcome addition to your collection. And even if you haven't seen the movie, you'll enjoy this musical glimpse into Gould's life.

The soundtrack from the wonderful film "32 Short Films About Glenn Gould" contains outstanding examples of this eccentric yet genial pianist. His intrepretations are generally highly unusual and sometimes even arbitrary but every note holds conviction. A fabulous introduction to this 20th century genius.

Hello
I can only listen to the soundtracks!!. Imposible to view films??
My Pcs have been bought in Italy and I live there
Thanks for help
Regards