Glenn Gould (1932-1982) was a pianist, writer, and broadcaster widely regarded as one of the most original and influential classical musicians of the twentieth century. Best known for his interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach, particularly his landmark recordings of the Goldberg Variations in 1955 and again in 1981, Gould combined extraordinary technical precision with a deeply intellectual approach to music. In 1964, at the height of his concert career, he withdrew from public performance to focus exclusively on recording, believing the studio offered greater artistic control. His distinctive playing style, unconventional habits, and insightful writings on music and technology made him a singular cultural figure whose recordings continue to shape how audiences and musicians understand Bach and the piano repertoire.
As George Szell once said of him, “That nut’s a genius.”
