Glenn Gould - Beethoven, Sonata Op. 31 N. 2 - II Adagio

[Steger27]

Nope. He's insane. He's having detached, schizophrenic dialogue in his head while playing, but his fingers are certainly well trained, like a good monkey. They just don't have access to Beethoven's mind. But they might have a better chance than Glen.

[JacobRudduck]

Still by far the best performance I've heard of this piece. Everything just sounds perfect to my ears. His tempo works beautifully, it gives the piece liveliness and makes it feel more moving. With the possibility of contradicting Beethoven himself, I think the themes connect much better at this tempo, it doesn't feel so stiff.

The way he hits that new section at 1:56...just bliss.

[ideamachineim]

Mr. Gould's interpretation of the Maestro is controversial, indeed! I have struggled with this, myself , believe me!!! If you'd like to hear the best Beethoven, listen to Vladimir Horowitz. Best Bach on the planet, on piano, (an instrument Bach only wished he could have had...) Glenn Gould!! We clear?

[illiustrope]

Gould: the sublime messer.

[jigbix]

Beethoven would be overjoyed! We're so lucky to have these videos.

[Mw2M4oA3]

@jigbix Lol. Beethoven would have hated this guy.

[gr0mithtimon]

@Mw2M4oA3

Do share with us his current address so we don't have to rely on your claim to knowledge on the wishes of a 200-year dead man.

[Mw2M4oA3]

@gr0mithtimon read up on beethoven. He hated people who didn't play his music the way he wanted it to be played.

[gr0mithtimon]

@Mw2M4oA3

But how do you know that Beethoven would like Gould less then other modern performers? Most play on modern instruments, and for that reason and others, probably play very differently from how Beethoven played. It certainly sounds completely different on a historical instrument. Granted, Gould doesn't try to be historic, but I have nevertheless always felt myself unable to decide which of our approximations the composer would prefer.

[ideamachineim]

@gr0mithtimon We have no way of knowing how Ludwig would have felt. I would probably give several body parts up, just to learn the answer to that one!! I understand that the quality of pianos greatly improved during Beethoven's lifetime, and he was provided with the absolute best the world could offer at that time. Beethoven's last piano was a 76-key instrument that was especially strong, since each of the keys was fitted with four strings instead of the usual three!

[1black1small1moon]

it is very nice to see 0 disklikes.

[DesertAnnie]

I love this -- it's perfectly played all the way through! And doesn't he seem to be enjoying it?! I love to see him 'emoting' like this...it always just adds to the perfection...the 'icing on the cake,' hmm? I think he put a smile on 'grumpy' ol' Beethoven's stern face with this one!! ;-D My statue [bust] of Ludvig, beside my computer, even smiled a bit, I think!! ;-)

[jinsugarbrown]

magical... i'm speechless

[goldberg847]

que forma tan bella de expresar con sus gestos el sonido de esta gran obra.

[kiorer]

wonderful!!!!

[JarnicMcCoy]

This is the most unique, wonderful rendition. But then again, it's Glenn Gould.

[NLLObStEr]

Fantastic!!!

[JacobRudduck]

6:12 - 6:20

That is just so brilliant played I had to highlight it.

[docnovacane]

If you have ever seen his interviews you would know he was nowhere near insane.

[Deadlytrick]

@docnovacane I don't believe in insanity

[Sesh61]

@docnovacane

He had a strong physical expression for the music felt...only the people who never really "felt" music say; "he is insane, what is he doing???"

[gr0mithtimon]

@Sesh61

Romantic bull. The physical movements where his outlet for his extreme stage freight, his way of coping with it.

[musicalidea]

Again, Gould proves that only the insane can inaugurate art. There is a vortical motion about his head, and an escape into unself-conscious neurosis, maintained by self-assuring ecstasies - something that resembles a whirling dervish in delay.

[musicdivinemusic]

Marvellous!

[parkhighmountain]

I am absolutely captured.

What a musical genious once lived in this earth!

[puchalaka]

Mr. Bean

[billyguns2]

Gould is sensational in this movement: singing line in the right hand, perfectly balanced textures, clarity of articulation, superb tension in the musical line, and an always forward moving line. I don't like his Bach, but I highly respect his playing even when I disagree with some of his interpretive choices.

[musicalidea]

For one, while a performative genius, Gould takes the first movt. TOO FAST, hands down...and inso doing obscures some of the pathos that can only be drawn out with longer reverberations. Bach is where he SHINES...he was born to be a contrapuntal performer and not a chordal/homophonic one.

[centrum2k4]

This is my favorite performance of Tempest II. The dynamics are just spot on! And he somehow manages to convey romance with an utterly classical style. Very impressive.

Also hats of to Beethoven: Most composers wouldn't resist and repeat the nice sweeping melody over and over - but not Mr. B.

[timpanitimptim]

Don't you meen Dr. B?

:)

[Ohaddo]

The "heart beats" played with the left hand are perfect in my mind. Many pianist seams to play them slower.

A story I heard about this piece is that it is sort of a love serenade... The low "heart beat" being the man and the high, the woman. I like that interpretation.

(and of course the whole sonata is said to be shakespeares The Storm.

Thank you from Mr. Besserwisser!

[thegoddescomposer]

that was true he had no chilren, a bit pity, but, because he had a mission to do, play J.s Bach on his best

[munkybrain]

he's kind of a musical father figure to me so it can kiiiind of be said that he had chrildren lol :-)

[beethomozart]

the comment over this adagio I made it mistankenly in the allegretto,nevertheless i repeat here that this sounds like a theater of pure sonorities,where else one can feel the tragic moments through which Beethoven was passing by during these years 1801-1802,beautiful,long live ludwig van

[grizfk]

lovely

[nousernamewhatsoever]

beside playing brilliantly he was also quite handsome.shame he never got married and had children...

[zemaneldaquinta]

maybe he was a butt-pirate

[northicekate]

Beethoven wrote this just for Glenn!

[charlesbunch995]

This is the video that (years ago) convinced me that I could actually play this mvt. of Beethoven. Gould makes it look so easy, that I realized it SHOULD be easy when you play such a piece. Easy and difficult are mostly in the mind. I always found it easier to play after watching this video. Good stuff.

Chuck