Glenn Gould

25 September 1932 – 4 October 1982

Glenn Gould was a Canadian classical pianist renowned for his interpretations of J.S. Bach, especially the Goldberg Variations. Known for his eccentric habits and low-set chair, he abandoned live concert performance in 1964 to focus on studio recording and broadcasting.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Glenn Gould.

Life events

Born in Toronto, Canada
25 September 1932

Glenn Gould was born in Toronto, Ontario.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music
1943

Gould trained in piano under Alberto Guerrero at the Toronto (Royal) Conservatory of Music.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
American debut in Washington and New York
1955

Gould made acclaimed U.S. recital debuts, leading to a recording contract with Columbia Masterworks.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Recorded the Goldberg Variations
June 1955

His debut Columbia recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations became a landmark bestseller.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Performed with the Berlin Philharmonic
1957

Gould made his European debut with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Gave his final public concert
10 April 1964

Gould retired from live concert performance after a recital in Los Angeles, devoting himself to recording.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Created The Idea of North
1967

Gould produced the radio documentary The Idea of North, pioneering his contrapuntal radio technique.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Re-recorded the Goldberg Variations
1981

Gould made a second, slower studio recording of the Goldberg Variations, released shortly before his death.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Toronto
4 October 1982

Gould died in Toronto after a stroke, days after his fiftieth birthday.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓