Biography
Glenn Herbert Gould, (1932-1982) was a Canadian pianist, one of the most famous of the 20th century.He was sorn on September 25, 1932 in Toronto. His father was an amateur violinist, his mother played the piano and was his first teacher, from the age of 3. He began composing at 5 and entered the Royal Toronto Conservatory of Music at 10, graduating at age 14.
In December 1945, Gould made his first professional public appearance, in January 1947 he made his debut as a piano soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, in April 1947 he gave his first full piano recital. He had great success with his 1955 appearances in New York and Washington and signed an exclusive contract with the Columbia Masterworks record label.
Gould was noted for his imaginative, expressive performances. He had adopted a particular style and often deviated from the sheet music, he had stated that he was following his "instinct". In 1964 he stopped giving concerts to work exclusively in the recording studio as a performer and producer of his own recordings. Described as an unconventional and eccentric musician, he was nevertheless recognized for his skill, technique and purity of sound and is considered as one of the most important piano soloists.
On September 27, 1982 he suffered a stroke and without regaining consciousness, he died on October 4, 1982.