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Hi Zeldah:
Ah, Clementi... Yes, I remember those
days.... Clementi etudes et al., back in the stoneage of my undergraduate
years (by the way, BMus is a undergraduate degree in music (piano
performance with a minor in education) - where do you live?).
I've been musically 'out of the loop' for a while, and am thus not working on
any repertoire at the moment. I still occasionally run through Chopin's
opus 90s, the Scherzos, the Preludes, Schubert's opus 90 Impromptus, a couple of
Beethoven Sonatas, the Liszt B minor, etc. (when I get the time, that
is!). I first met Glenn Gould when I was about 7 years old (28, gulp,
years ago!) at the CBC studios in Toronto, as my father was a studio musician
working there at the time. Even as a child I thought he was amazing,
almost child-like. When my father told Glenn I was an young aspiring
pianist, he seemed impressed and, quite uncharacteristically, let me shake his
'paw'. If I had been wiser (and bolder!), I would of asked him if he could
teach me! I did study for a time with Myrtle Guerrero in Oakville (the
wife of Glenn's late teacher, Alberto), but that's the closest I
came!
Glenn was definitely unique (to put it
mildly!). I'm not sure if there is anyone out there today famous for their
genius and eccentricities as Glenn was. It seems that not as many people
can get away with this type of mien nowadays, which is a disappointment -
for I'd rather live in a culture that celebrates talent and uniqueness, and not
how good Britney Spears looks. I knew some pretty bizarre characters
whilst studying at university - characters who remarkably came close - but did
not possess the diversity that Glenn had. I miss Glenn terribly - would
have enjoyed hanging out with him, discussing philosophy, politics, fishermen
and other assorted enviro-nazis, and questioning Beethoven interpretations, as
we lope languidly along the wooded foot paths of Uptergrove, Glenn humming
a Bach Paritita to a bevy of cud-munching cows. Cheers!
Leah
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