Mozart-Piano sonata #8 in A minor-Glenn Gould

[pobinr]

ta ta ta ta ta ta ta All those repeated notes like it's not been workled out properly. Some of the voices just going ta ta ta ta ta ta ta zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Things sure went downhill after Bach with this dumbed down polyphony.

In fact I've never understood why anyone would want to play Mozart when there's Bach to play instead !

[Timmytimtimtm]

wow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[jim0watkins]

I like this version way better, the others are sloppy and droll.

[harald144]

in one way this is awful but in another way is this the greatest demonstration of piano technique I know of....nobody had fingers like him

[macmarklemore]

Sure, he plays it faster than, well, everyone else. But it makes perfect sense when he does it. That's why it's not wrong. We all know that there's no point in playing music the same way everyone else has been playing it for centuries, especially when there are a hundred other recordings of the Mozart Piano Sonatas that already sound the same. Daring performance, indeed, but a successful one.

[Cannedmeat420]

I can't believe people actually used to have the ability to write music like this.

[Ad0lfhipster]

Yes you can say this song sucks. If your dumb and only know the first moment of the piece. Every one on here is oblivious that this is not the first moment so they have no idea what they are hearing. Mozart would love it. Piano Sonata 8 was he least favorite piece. The term Moonlight Sonata was coined by a French poet who thought it was reminiscent of moonlight being reflected on the surface of a lake. Mozart had nothing to do with it.

[colourfulwithaU]

I'm playing this piece for an exam in two weeks. If I played it like Gould I'd fail. He's like a child, doing exactly the opposite of what the page directed and what is expected. This interpretation sounds like a MIDI file gone wrong. How do people like this?

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU people like it I suppose because it is not only executed very well but differently. I like it because after hearing countless versions of this music this one is fun just a boat load of fun. I can see some stuffy professors scowl when listening to this ... but that doesn't really mean anything to me at all.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

It's different all right. And that would be okay. But this isn't about purism or stuffy professors scowling at his interpretation. This is about a flat performance that totally lacks heart.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

All of Gould's interpretations are 'different', but very few work out to sound good at all. A few that we can probably agree are good are his version of Mozart's 14th sonata in C minor, and Bach's prelude in C major from the Well Tempered Clavier. Go search them.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU I find more of Gould's rightful interpretations riveting than that small list. What you mean to say is that you don't find this recording as good as I do. And I certainly do not think this performance lacks heart ... if I were to be so general I'd say it is you who lacks heart. I'm actually a little shocked that you haven't made the asinine claim that Gould transforms other composers work into "Bach" merely by performing them.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

Glenn Gould lacks heart.

"YOU lack heart."

Appropriate response: YOUR MOM lacks heart.

Unlike Gould, *I* only play music by composers I like.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU glad to see you do not disagree with my assessment of your musical experience. I suggest you delve into the works of Ives, Debussy, Schoenberg, and other composers either alive or whom haven't been dead for 200 years. Beethoven is also a suggestion as his works are superior to that of Mozarts by several football fields. It goes without saying of course that some people are more prone to seeking music on a scale larger than bland academic practice.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

I've studied all of those composers (Debussy is my favourite of them. And I like Gould's Schoenberg, probably because Gould actually liked Schoenberg, as much as he hated Mozart).

Also, 'bland' academic practice is impossible without seeking music on a large scale. What's with the anti-academic sentiment?

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU 'bland' academic practice is impossible without seeking music on a large scale" ... lol. Explain please.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

A truly educated musician listens to as much music as possible. It's among the top 5 ways to practice.

I'm in university studying music composition, and all of my professors push the point that informed music (informed by past composers) is the best music.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU Well theory is simply the practice of people so what makes one practice better than another? Consider that even say Beethoven is listened to by a very small percentage of the population vs. pop music now. Is Beethoven inferior to Justin Beiber? Your definition of music is one of subservience.

I'm also a composer and have my work on my channel so listen and give your criticisms.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

I'm not talking about theory. I never tried to define music. Where are you getting all of this from?

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU "my professors push the point that informed music (informed by past composers) is the best music." what do you mean by informed?

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

An informed composer is one who has listened to and understood A LOT of music. As much music as possible.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU okay according to you how does an informed composer go about understanding A LOT of music? I think what you're getting at is intuition vs. academic recitation ... I find more value in the intuitive than I ever will in any rigid stance concerning music. As an artist I cannot see how you can feel differently.

When you use a word like "informed" concerning music what you imply is practice and practice yields theory—however, no more right nor wrong than any other theory.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

You're drawing conclusions from implications I never made. I do not feel differently. My intuition tells me that this video sucks. I'm not a purist by any means. I just think that Glenn Gould sounds terrible.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU well that is fine, just don't pretend like there is justification for bashing Gould in literature. You can speak no more for the intentions of Beethoven than Gould nor Dick Cheney. When attempting to analyze scores it is done so with past practice in mind. Take roman musical fragments for example ... we do not know how they were "intended" to sound but we accept the musing of scholars. Is it possible they can be wrong? We're talking about music not mathematics.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

I'm not saying there is anything technically wrong with Gould's playing...(there is, but that's not my problem with it). I'm just saying it sounds flat and ugly.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU okay well you contradicted yourself in your statement rather quickly but okay—again your opinions are as valid as anyones. However for reasons we do not share I assume, my opinion is that you're absolutely wrong in your assessment of this performance. This music business is so strange—I make music and I have little idea of what it actually is.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

Some of the best advice I received concerning composition was that there is a reason for everything: "If 'because it sounds cool' is your reason for writing what you wrote, you are a superficial composer." I like your music, but you should be able to know what you're doing and why you're doing it. Even if it's not a traditional 'theoretical' reason.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU That is bad advice. I've received that advice before and it usually comes from someone churning out typical dated uninspired dead lifeless insignificant music. I am a self-taught composer and I suppose that shows but I do it because it is absolutely emotionally fulfilling for me and yes very "cool". I cannot imagine why anyone would make music otherwise.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

"This series of notes expresses what I want to express" is better than "I wrote it 'cause it sounds cool". It is very good advice. But have fun not taking it.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU "this series of notes expresses what I want to express" IS cool. If you're suggesting I don't understand what I'm writing you are wrong. Do you have any of your work to share? I'd love to hear some. Apparently you have something against the word cool in conjunction with music ... why? Cool is a positive.

[colourfulwithaU]

@EMPERORMIKI

I don't think there is anything wrong with music sounding cool. I think that 'it sounds cool' alone is not a reason to write anything.

You're welcome to hear some of my music, but it is not on YouTube. Inbox me, and I'll lead you to some of it.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU okay we are not talking about the same things anymore. I will leave a message on your page.

[jim0watkins]

@colourfulwithaU because he doesn't play it like others tell him to play it... he makes his own style that comes from his own passions... that's what artists do, which is why mozart would have respected gould's way of playing....and get over yourself, the reason you don't play it like glenn gould is because you can't match his technique

[colourfulwithaU]

@jim0watkins

" the reason you don't play it like glenn gould is because you can't match his technique"

Wow, what an extraordinarily stupid comment.

I know I can't match Gould's technique. But I also can't match Mitsuko Uchida's technique, and I like her a whole lot. Same goes for Richter, Gilels, Gulda, Ashkenazy, and many others. The reason I don't like Gould is because his playing sounds like garbage.

[EMPERORMIKI]

@colourfulwithaU Gulda ... lol

[steamednotfried]

What are you people hearing? This is fantastic. You really think Gould would waste his time learning to play this piece just to take the piss?

[colourfulwithaU]

@steamednotfried

Gould doesn't need time to learn this piece...he could read music very well, and had extraordinary technical abilities. Unfortunately, he hated Mozart and most of his Mozart interpretations (including this one) suck.

[aor92333]

congratulations yo play really fast!

[Theonedue]

I think this interpretation is better than the original by Mozart....significantly better...

[colourfulwithaU]

@Theonedue

"The original by Mozart"

What does that mean? Mozart was never recorded playing this.

[Theonedue]

Better than the usuall tempo/dynamics.

[konigstephan]

The Chipmunks version.

[GiovanniEMB]

Mozart: a Composer for the Right Hand only (Glenn Gould).

Now I take a midifile. 

[Liebanus]

Pobre Gould. Murió sin entender a Mozart. Pobre Mozart. Revivió en manos de horribles interpretaciones como esta.

[AtoZifyouplease]

The video and music is nice.



[doccompay]

Funny...didn't know midi files existes those times ago...

[q28s1]

I love his stuff, and his theory on how all musical fundamentals have been covered, and now all that is left is to perverse things so to say. You can see it with the expanding genres, and how a lot of music today samples old songs. Basically taking everything learned in music and tweaking it into something else! Brilliant thought for his time that I believe applies to the now more than ever!

[cavetroll1970]

LOL I always liked Gould's playing and you are one cheecky girl.

[manuelspcool]

This is pure Shit, Where is Mozart?, Gould plays this with the ass

[lilly763]

@manuelspcool : Couldn't have said it better myself!

[Barbapippo]

CHE SCHIFO

(English translation: what a disgusting performance... I don't know where Gould is buried, but If I knew, I'll go there with an Ipod and force him to listen to this for ever)

[1408fenner]

@Barbapippo che schifo a glenn gould non lo dici coglione

[Barbapippo]

@1408fenner sì che lo dico, e lo ripeto: che schifo d'esecuzione, se il pezzo non gli piaceva non era obbligato a inciderlo... ah, dimenticavo: mavaffanculo, vai, :)

[1408fenner]

@Barbapippo ma vai a cacare testa di cazzo. stu testi'minchia arriva e si permette di criticare il più grande pianista del mondo. cuci ma va travagghia cosa inutile

[Barbapippo]

@1408fenner senti, piccolo "caruso" cerebroleso dal cervello vuoto e le orecchie piene di cerume... Glenn Gould, se nella tua patetica ignoranza ancora non lo sai, detestava Mozart e non perdeva occasione di criticarlo e sminuirne l'importanza; quest'assurda esecuzione "a macchinetta" della più bella sonata di Mozart è solo un altro modo di manifestare questo suo disprezzo... e vvafancul'a mammeta, sempre se non si è già suicidata per la disgrazia di averti partorito...

[1408fenner]

@Barbapippo MA VA TRAVAGGHIA CHE è MEGLIO , MA POI PARLI PI MIA CHE TUA MADRE è COME A DOCCIA, MINCHIA SA FANNO TUTTIIIIII. E COMUNQUE TU SPARI MINCHIATE

[1408fenner]

@Barbapippo poi puoi dire che non ti piace l'interpretazione nulla da dire ma dire che fa schifo è da cose inutili come attìa

[Axotrotl]

@Barbapippo DISAGREE!!!!!!!!!! this fast playing has some feelings,you just simply dont hear it, your fault but dont say that gould plays disgusting,thats a lie!!!! his style of playing is the closest to me,i love his inteprpretations,pity he didnt play chopin and other romantics cuz his baroque and classicism piece interpretations are amazing!

[ericclark2]

This is awesome-- it starts it sounding like a midi file, but actually it's got a lot nuances as it goes on

[kantorandersson]

Well, not exactly "China Mozart", huh :-D

To me it sometimes sounds like an entire orchestra, a bit like a dramatic opera part - he's simply making a very special interpretation - and I think he'll still sleep well in his grave even if some of you guys don't like it ;-)

Another cool thing about GG is not that he can play fast and still separate all the notes, but the fact that he can also play slowly if he just happens to feel like it :-) Compare some of Youtube's other WAM-GGs!

[StephenChin1]

Gould has turned Mozart's

masterpiece into a Benny Hill

escapade.

[CheekyVimto08]

I like this interpretation. :-)

[TheMagnificentmozart]

this piece is great! it has passion .love,grace and feelings. it is touching.

[punkpoetry]

A travesty, for sure, but knowingly intended as one by the ironic genius that was GG. Nobody said this is the only performance of this sonata that should be available...

For a serious performance of this piece I'd recommend Emil Gilels, he plays it heavenly

[laurarox01]

lmao did you see the surprise I put in at 0:58 ?

[punkpoetry]

I did now... seriously devilish of you, gurly

[laurarox01]

lol oh you know you liked it

[Vesivian]

@laurarox01 i didin't get the surprise... no understand.

[colourfulwithaU]

@punkpoetry

Can you send a link to Gilels playing this piece? I cannot find it.

[keelan111]

I suspect Glenn here is just playing the toddler who intentionally spills his tippy cup full of apple juice in order to get attention.

[R19P82]

What kind of keyboard is he playing on?

[Libertein818]

whoa! hes turned allegro maestoso into prestissimo! ha ha ha it doesn't seem very right to me.

[Jalapablo]

Yes, it's blisteringly fast...but I think it works. It's perfect in its own right. In fact, I love all the Mozart sonatas played by Gould. I also have them by Alfred Brendel, so I can't say I'm biased. I just think Gould's versions all seem to work...everything he did, to me, was so convincing. If you don't like it at first, keep listening. You'll get it :)

[LMJ314142]

I have never heard this piece before, so it is my (fairly) unbiased opinion when I say that this is way too fast. I felt like he was rushing to get done with it.

I usually love Gould too.

[LuisaKun]

prefiero la version mas lenta u.u

[sunburstflame]

Gould was incredible, but this seems too fast. He did the exact opposite with Mozart's Fantasia in D minor (Played it incredibly slow).

[phoenixshade3]

Whoa, this seems just a tad on the fast side... this should be at least 5 minutes. Just my opinion though; I could be wrong.

[polymath7]

(chuckle) If my own listening experience is any indication, you are indeed (quite understandably) wrong.

The performances I have heard usually take seven to eight minutes!

[phoenixshade3]

I was being hypobolic in saying "a tad." Yes, seven to eight minutes is much more appropriate. I hate Gould's Mozart. (Not too suprising, since Gould himself expressed disdain for Mozart's artistic merit.)

[asisecanta]

I think Mozart himself would have loved this way of playing. It sounds very mozartian ineed.

[Baaltane]

I agree! Mozart may not have written it at this tempo, but you can imagine him having a rollicking good time hearing it played like this.

[Novaheart1998]

Exactly, didn't Gould often screw around with Mozart's pieces and change things up a bit, after all, we've heard them played the usual fashion for 200 years now!.....

[dolofonos]

As I understand it, Mozart complained of others insisting he play too fast; saying that it destroyed phrases and invited errors.

[chrish12345]

say wot u wanna, it takes some fingers to play that fast....

[Priscylla86]

Even if Gould thought mozart was a terrible composer that doesn't render his interpretation bad, that is prejudiced thinking.Gould was a talented pianist, if not a talented composer like Mozart. Whether he was "correcting" Mozart or not, this thinking that just because its not how Mozart intended it to be makes it somehow bad is prejudiced thinking, paying more attention the composer that to the music and the musicianship of the person playing.

[polymath7]

From the pieces I've heard, I can assert without embarrassment that Gould certainly was a superlatively talented composer.

The world at large, it seems to me, is extremely reluctant to believe that one may be supremely good at more than one thing (for example, this may be why Blake is grossly underrated as a visual artist).

Perhaps it is just asking too much forbearance of human envy.

[Priscylla86]

"Gould disliked Mozart....."

I am not saying he correcting. I am saying he is playing a radically different interpretation than the intended, and its fine by me if takes such an interpretation, because I find it enjoyable. Being "pure" to the composer is such BS, as long as the audience enjoys it, and it is an inspired redition, what is wrong with radical interpretations?

[laurarox01]

Is that really why he wrote it?

[Priscylla86]

He "disdains" mozart, that is not the same as not understanding him. He is playing Mozart the way he would have composed the song, not the way intended it to be played. I for one give Gould enough credit as musician to take sort of interpretation if he so chooses.

[laurarox01]

Is there a different version played by someone else of this song i could hear?

[laurarox01]

Woopsie I accidently pressed remove instead of reply. What I was going to say was the person that say listen to klara something. That one wasn't as rough a version and it was good!

[CuzinProductionz]

Awesome Vid!

[Kurtyoungblood]

Thanks!