Glenn Gould at Work

by Andrew Kazdin

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 052524817X
• ISBN13: 9780525248170
• Release Date: December 1989
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 177 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

It's not just about Gould

I was happy to find this book in the local library for the insight into recording the Hindemith sonatas. I've conducted oral histories with two of the performers--but never would have known about Gilbert Johnson's experience with being held captive in Canadian customs for hours before recording the trumpet sonata if not for this book. I would love to know more about Mr. Kazdin's recording techniques--The Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli is remarkable.

Insider View of a Genius

I decided to write a five star review so fans of Glenn Gould do not overlook this interesting book. It is perhaps everything every other reviewer had to say and more, yet it is a "must have" view of life with a genius. While reading Kazdin's account of his long collaboration with Gould, I kept thinking of Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle" and how difficult it must be to live so close to an eccentric genius. I think he realized that he had to give his life over completely to work with this man, but it rankled, and in the end his petulant (sometimes mean-spirited) account just had to come out. It seems that Kadzin dug up every memory of every slight he ever suffered or imagined he suffered at the whim of his "Master." Gould was certainly no saint, far from it, but he was the best pianist of his age (perhaps any age) and like most people with that enormous demon living inside, the world revolved around him and him alone. Anyone not willing to worship at the shrine of such a blazing fire would surely be burned. I found it absolutely fascinating. There are many details of Gould's life not found in any other biography, so to my way of thinking it was well worth the price.

First person historical

Five stars for documenting the events and the artist as he saw it, and five stars for fascinating comments about GG's attitudes toward piano technique. The comments about piano technique are the main reason I bought a copy. I love first person accounts. To me this book is a hundred times more interesting than the other psychological profile book I have about GG, which was written by a researcher. Yes, this author clearly expresses his feeling that GG used him in a utilitarian way, not in a friendship way. But GG probably used everyone in a utilitarian way.

A good deal of Content here.

... I am in agreement that Mr Kazdin is a bit bitter of the working relationship cutoff between himself and Gould, but however, this volume offers tremendous insight into Glenn's life. I don't believe Mr Kazdin is attempting to write a comprehensive critique on Glenn, but give the reader a feeling of what a personal Gould experience was. Glenn is presented here in raw form. We are given glimpses of Glenn in the Studio, his strange habits, his philosophy on anger managment, drug use, and more importantly, his habit of dropping friendships instantly. Kazdin unfortunatly experienced his relationship dissolve allmost instantly and it did leave some scars. I have read at least 5 books on Glenn and I find this book to be the most raw and informative next to Otto Fredericks book entitled "A Life in Variations". One cannot help but be facinated with Gould's Life. He left the concert stage by age 30, lived in seclusion, worked in the midnight to early morning hours, was brilliant but eccentric. Kazdin does share some bitterness in the book which has some dreadful qualities, especially in regards to Glenn's supposed knowledge of Recording and overdubbing, etc. In the end however, I feel that Kazdin does acknowledge Glenn's gifts. I recommend this book highly. It probably needs a new epilogue or preface from the author, but it appears it is out of print.