Glenn Gould as Improviser

As an artist who privately enjoyed his own remarkable gifts as an improviser, Gould saw hidden dangers that others might never have noticed. "Not least among those dangers may be the hedonistic pursuit of improvisation as a way of life", he wrote.
Here are a few moments of Gould the improviser: the first two tracks recorded privately at home as a teenager; the third one while setting microphone levels in a CBC Radio Studio playing Richard Strauss "Ein Heldenleben".

[@Henri.d.Olivoir]

For someone like Gould this is suprisingly Chopinesque

[@АннаГорваль-г6м]

Слушаю всё ,что только можно в исполнении Гульда.Спасибо

[@thomasine_]

Rare indeed. I don't know if anyone else noticed but I find it interesting that he sang less, if at all, in his earliest recordings.

[@galeritaelenora]

Robust singing around 7 minutes. He's talking with someone, too. Some of his best singing! He sang his entire life and I am so thankful he did. I love the uninhibited nature of his singing.

[@glenngouldschair390]

@@galeritaelenora It sounds as though it’s a song someone wrote with lyrics.

[@KKIcons]

@@glenngouldschair390 Strauss Ein Heldenleben, mengelberg interpretation is referenced.

[@JohnDoe-tt4fm]

Gould: I dislike homophony, chords and over use of sustain pedal.
Also Gould:

[@bestmusic7339]

Good comment 😁😃

[@glenngouldschair390]

Gould: I also don’t like my improvisations and Chopin.
Chopin: HEY!!

[@korieklion]

The Beauty of music is the that a player can play At its “best” but dislike its own playing. It’s something with the ego which is why they can’t accept their own playing. While if they let go maybe they could ne happier

[@povilzem]

It is a cornerstone of psychology that we all dislike what we ourselves are.

[@davidgranda1927]

Very romantic. I was expecting a fugue or something baroqueish.

[@charlotterose6724]

This is priceless. So very little of Glenn's improvisations available. Thank you!

[@gopalkambo5885]

Couldn't agree more!

[@0poison014]

@@gopalkambo5885 Indeed!!!!

[@KKIcons]

2 more parts of that snippet at the end exist I believe. On Bruce Cross channel currently but if I find them I will try to put the links together in one place.

[@gunnarkoss9262]

It's obvious, that he actually must have liked Chopin and Liszt. In public and on the record he decides against them. Chopin loved Bach, and Liszt always has a great number of polyphonic ideas in his works - so there is definitely a link.

[@johntravena119]

Think so too. They were a guilty pleasure and he was embarrassed to play them, I think. But he says somewhere how Chopin composed for the piano better then maybe anyone. So he at least had a grudging respect for him.

[@glenngouldschair390]

I think he liked Chopin but just didn’t want to admit it-
Like potato chips- you don’t want to admit you like them.

[@gesikpink6153]

At 5:16 looks like cziffra style

[@glenngouldschair390]

Someone should transcribe this

[@musical_lolu4811]

We'll see...

[@veretyukglib8288]

@@musical_lolu4811 Are you going to transcribe this?

[@glenngouldschair390]

@@veretyukglib8288 we hope?

[@spiritualpolitics8205]

This is utterly fascinating and fabulous. I'm a lifelong Gould addict and had never become acquainted with this. So persuasive.

[@carolmessina1784]

Another staggering example of Gould's talent, and that he chose to play as he did, with laser focus. Thank you for sharing this jewel, Daniel.

[@derpyhooves5795]

This is almost lisztian! Surprise from gould

[@longhaulblue1145]

Agreed. Maybe that's why he refrained from improvising. He probably felt he fell into playing cliches, not saying anything interesting musically.

[@radmanalavi4441]

This is a very valuable video 👌. Thank you a lot.

[@LuluBodhi]

Thank you Daniel. This is amazing to hear.

[@bengatss]

Does anyone know what he plays from - ( 6:07 - 6:21 )? 7:41 + ❤ Beautiful recording, Thanks.

[@LandOnBolts]

This is an excellent showcase of Glenn’s understanding of the harmonic language!

[@0poison014]

Muchas Gracias

[@hansjorgrigger1688]

Thank you very much!!!!!

[@galinaprozorova7903]

Гений на века!

[@douglasdickerson5184]

Wonderful!

[@fmoll2509]

Изумительно! ❤И я представляю его лицо! Благодарю!

[@spacevspitch4028]

😲😍❤

[@nadia0660]

Драгоценная запись! ❤

[@isaacbanuelos4305]

Bueno esos grandes pianista que malos compositores!!!!

[@MrCharlymad]

Los mejores 9's del mundo no siempre serán buenos DT's

[@NichtWunderkind]

​@@MrCharlymadjajajaja la mejor respuesta que he leido