Re: GG:Goldberg Variations...and Conservatory

[Marco Poli <poli@imiucca.csi.unimi.it>]

Dear Elisha,


       as far as I know, two versions of "Burleske" played by Glenn are (or
have been) available:
one with the Toronto S. O. conducted by Golschmann, and recorded on
November 15, 1967 has been re-issued by Sony (Sony SMK 52687); this version
had also been published in the past by at least two independent firms,
Music & Arts (CD 678) in the States, and Nuova Era (2310) in Italy;
A different version, with Adler conducting the Baltimore S.O.and recorded
on January 3, 1962, has also been published by Music & Arts (CD 297).   I
suspect that this latter version comes from a CBC broadcast.
I also think to remember - but am unable to check just now - that Strauss'
Burleske is also available in the Sony videotape or laser-disc Gould
collection.

On the Karajan discussion: don't you agree that anyway, some 50 years after
the end of the war, he deserves to be judged, at least on this list, only
on his musical merits?
I can understand that anybody's involvement in Nazism should not be
forgotten - but then one should always put things in an historical
perspective (how many of us, had we lived in Germany in the early Forties,
would have been brave enough to publicily dissent from Nazims?) and,
moreover, judge the real degree and circumstances of this involvement, but
I strongly question the rightness of mixing artistical and political
considerations.

Best wishes,


Marco


>Hi all!
>I'm sorry to trouble this list with even more garrulous questions--we
>were having an interesting discussion on Karajan and the deal with Nazi.
>Well, Richard Strauss was a Nazi as well.  (Well said, Robert!) These
>musicians did not join for political conviction, but simply to
>stay--alive, I guess--in Germany, but with strings attached.  I have an
>article from the New York Times which talked about the famous conductors
>during the time of Nazi, and they were made to play some rather
>propagandistic (or rather stupid) songs to boost nationalism.  Some
>performances must be rather humiliating for Karajan.  Just a side info,
>Strauss was a friend of Mahler (who was a Jew) before WW II (Mahler died
>in 1921. Strauss in 1950?)  Also, Hitler's favorite composer was Wagner,
>who was one of leading musical figure for anti-Semiticism.  Despite thus,
>I still like Wagner's and Strauss's music.
>
>I'm getting way out of line!  I was listening to GG's last recording of
>Goldberg Variations ("Gouldberg," as GG once liked to call it), and I
>noticed some skittering while playing the CD (listen real carefully at
>the end of track 5, and track 7).  Either that or my CD isn't in good
>quality.  There are several tracks like it as well.
>
>About the Conservatory, I've visited the website (thanks to all of you
>for the info!) and had requested some info.  The place is still called
>Royal Conservatory of Music, but the actual conservatory is called "The
>Glenn Gould Professional School" (go figure!;-).  Has anyone in this list
>seen or been to this school?  My mom is doubtful about me going to
>Toronto at the end of my senior year (she's afraid that the school
>changed its name in order to attract more students.  Plus it is rather
>far away).  I mean, GG graduated from there, so it must be somewhat
>distinguished--am I right?
>
>Thanks(;-), Elisha
>
>P.S. Did GG ever recorded Strauss's Burleske for Piano and Orchestra (I
>heard it on the  NLC website)?  This piece seems rare and hardly
>performed--in my search I found only one CD which contains this piece.
>
>
>Strong conviction is capable of destroying any prejudice.  The proof:
>Glenn Gould.
>--Nathan Perelman
>
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