Re: A question for all you Gouldians

[lstanwyk <lstanwyk@RYERSON.CA>]

Yep, Michael, I can relate.  In highschool, I was a rocker geek -
definition: one who plays an instrument obsessively and listens to
classical music full blast on a Sony walkman (but who will also listen
to Pink Floyd et al.)!  Was a young piano prodigy, took my music studies
seriously at that age, too.  Was quite the misfit, eccentric, whatever,
never fit in, mocked by the 'in' crowd, etc.  But you know what?  Be
comforted knowing that your love of Gould, Bach, etc., is the best thing
that could happen to you at your age - as most 17 year olds are such
self-absorbed, hormone-raging, think-they-know-it-all little goofs - it
gives you things that no little highschool slut could ever give, and
that's creative depth and intelligent reflection/actualization - which
will be with you forever, lasting a lifetime.  Bitter??  Noooooooo
(ahem)!  Hated highschool - thought eveyone at school was a classless
wannabe idiot (if I hear the word 'like' from a teenage girl one more
time I'm gonna screeeeeeeeem!) - was actually glad that my uncommon
music ability segregated me from everyone else.  You would not believe
the countless number of times I performed at school, only to be mocked
by other girls, saying things like, 'who does she think she is', or 'you
think you're soooo special, don't you', etc. (you get the point!).  You
sure get to know human nature pretty quickly - I highly recommend these
highschool epiphanies!

Cheers!

LS

ML wrote:
>
> Hello All!
>
> My name is ML, I just joined the F Minor mailing list.  I
> have been a follower of Glenn for about a year, I was first sucked in by
> randomly viewing "32 short films" on the sundance channel.  Since then, I
> have learned of the greatest man to grace the 20th century.  I know I may
> sound extreme, but he is practically a god to me.  I'm just 17 years old,
> and in today's society---where else can youth look up to!?
>
> Well this is all besides the point.  The point is---I'm an amateur
> pianist, Bach fanatic, and a true Gouldian at heart.  I am no
> professional at the piano---I lack much theory training, along with
> technical skill.  But I still pride myself when I learn a piece that
> Gould inspired me to learn.  You'd find it hilarious how much crap i get
> from my friends due to my love for classical music.  I loathe my
> generation---these kids dont know the first thing about music.  But I
> happily report that I have exposed many of my "buddies" to Bach,
> Beethoven, but most importantly...the man who brought those dead
> composers back to life.
>
> I know my letter may ring with superfluous dodging...but still...it does
> have a point.
>
> For about six months, I have been puzzled by something.  I wanted to find
> the answer on my own---research and discovery, the good old method.  But
> I'm afraid I can't find an answer---and who better to ask than a group of
> people dedicated, like myself, to Glenn Gould!?
>
> My question pertains to his romantic life.  He rarely spoke of
> love/sex/anything of that sort.  He wrote one letter which they
> illustrated in the movie "32 Short films, etc.".  The letter reads as
> follows, and I strongly believe that this was an original letter---not a
> composition created for the movie:
> "You know, I am deeply in love with a certain beautiful girl. I asked her
> to marry me, but she turned me down, but I still love her more than
> anything in the world. And every minute I can spend with her is pure
> heaven. But I don't want to be a bore, and if I could only get her to
> tell me when I could see her it would help. She has a standing invitation
> to let me take her anywhere she'd like to go, anytime, but it seems to me
> she never has time for me. Please, if you see her, ask her to let me know
> when I can see her, and when I can."
> I am so interested as to who he is writing about!  Does anyone know???  I
> think this letter is an arguement against his alleged homosexuality (not
> that there's anything wrong with it!).
>
> There is also an unnamed woman in the film who is at the end of one of
> the shorts entitled, "questions without answers".  She speaks to Glenn in
> the telephone, "Why did you stop calling me?  Why didn't you return my
> calls?"
>
> Who is she!??  I am absolutely clueless!  Is this fiction!? Or fact!?
> Why wouldn't he call her back if she really did exist!?
>
> IS SHE THE GIRL WHO HE PROPOSED TO!???
>
> Other than this piece of information---it seems that there was never any
> recorded romantic relationship of his!!!???  Is that humanly possibly!?
> He was so entirely devoted to his music that maybe he gave 100% of
> himself to the piano, and it left no side seeking physical love???
>
> As you can see---this question truly piques my utter interest!
>
> For a while, I felt that I didn't think that I wanted to know the answer
> to the question about his letter---better to leave some things
> unanswered.  I'd feel so saddened if I found out that he was simply
> playing a game with himself---entertaining himself writing this
> possibly-imaginary love letter.
>
> So...please respond at your leisure to a youth who is very curious!  My
> email address is ml
>
> Thank you,
> ML
>
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