[f_minor] GG on television

Pat pzumst at bluewin.ch
Sun Feb 19 13:40:55 PST 2012


Hi all

Off-topic slide here. Anita’s comment reminds me that someone here on f_minor once mentioned he or she was on a quest to make a replica of GG’s chair. Now I wonder where and how that turned out.

This current little debate shows that here are still a lot of myths and legends in The GG Haigiography that need to be debunked in annus mirabilis I fear. That goes espceially for the peple who are currently working on articles, papers, books or documentaries to celebrate the occasion. Please keep that in mind. For if I am going to hear words like “wondrous”, “genius” and all the adverbs of “haigiographication” plus the same old stories and legends again I might get sick.

Now back to our regular broadcasts.

Pat

From: Anita Monroe 
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 10:06 PM
To: Discussion of the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. 
Subject: Re: [f_minor] GG on television

Mary,  I am fairly certain that did didn't use "that chair" when I heard him perform.  I saw him playing with the round piano bench provided by the college.  He was spinning it around, trying to get the height he liked.  I'm using a new adjustable bench that was my Christmas gift.  It seems to cause less stress on my shoulders and lower back when the height is only slightly adjusted.  GG was on to something.  I guess most pianists have experimented with bench height..  

If you are looking for something to read which will really rock your world, I recommend "Dr. Mary's Monkey", a complex story of polio virus, biological weapons and the Kennedy assassination..  

Regards,  Anita


On Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 2:09 PM, maryellen jensen <maryellenjensen28 at hotmail.com> wrote:

  Sorry that I can't join in the admiration of "hairshirt" inspiration with you Fred. Well, no, I'm not sorry about it at all. 

  Did you know that Gould didn't always use that chair? Have you seen the "extras", the "outtakes" of that PBS showing of "Genius Within"? Bert Gould made another chair for his son which is in fine condition and which Gould used "off camera" and which is in the possession of Lorne Tulk. On camera Hairshirt Chair - makes the music better for you? Bach would cringe at the whole idea.

  "Awesome"  "Magic" ??? 

  Mary 



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:37:51 -0800
  From: boyboy_8 at yahoo.com
  To: f_minor at glenngould.org
  Subject: [f_minor] GG on television 


        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aah-wMG9F4A&feature=related

        Just enjoying this now.  What strikes me is the super intense ability of GG to focus his thoughts, his imagination and his mind into such a clear vision that when his fingers start playing the outcome is almost magic.  What also amazes me and this might sound silly but how he managed to deal with the discomfort of sitting down on that seat-less chair, having the middle piece of support strut to have his butt sitting on top of....how could he not feel discomfort and yet, and yet.....he seems to push the pain (??) away or overcome the physical sensation and produce the most awesome music.  Magic indeed......

        Regards,

        Fred Houpt
       









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