Re: Live/radio rec.

["L. Lalonde" <llalonde@lightspeed.net>]

=?iso-8859-1?Q?J=F6rgen?= Lundmark wrote:
> 
> First of all I¹d like to thank Mary Jo Watts for this great GG
> discussion group. It¹s fascinating how many different subjects Glenn
> Gould¹s music making and ideas can relate to.
> 
> As a fan I¹m very much interested in finding as many recordings by Glenn
> Gould as possible, preferably in repertoire that isn¹t previously
> represented in his discography. What strikes me as odd, is how
> comparatively few live recordings that have been issued, especially
> outside North America. It is also sad that Gould¹s piano recitals is
> underrepresented in these live recording issues. This is also true when
> it comes to studio recordings for different national radio broadcasting
> companies. I know of only the CBC recordings and the Swedish BIS-releas.
> 
> Does anyone on the f_minor list have any information concerning
> recordings of Gould¹s live/radio performances. I¹ve been fortunate to be
> able to check the Swedish radio archive. Has anyone done the same in for
> example Britain, Germany and the Netherlands?
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Jörgen, Sundsvall/Sweden

Jorgen,

The lack of live recordings is the result of GGs retiring from live 
performances so early in his career.  The only one of which I am aware 
is the "Live in Leningrad" performance in 1955.  I'm sure you have 
found this, however.  It is available from Sony.  

Keep in mind, it was Gould's intention to make recordings which were 
to his ear, perfection. The live performances did not allow him to go 
back and edit clinkers.  While I enjoy the live performance of the 
Bach and Beethoven concertos on that Leningrad recording, they are 
much cleaner and the phrasing is much more delicate in the studio 
recordings of the same pieces.

A perfect of example of how different the two recordings can be, just 
listen to the "Emperor" concerto which GG recorded for CBC in 1970 
(available from Sony both on CD and videotape--"Epilogue".  This is 
the infamous recording in which Gould was called at 2:00am prior to 
the 9:00am recording time.  He was asked to substitute for Benedito 
Michaelangeli who cancelled at the last minute.  Considering  Gould 
had not played the piece for 2 years, it is a wonderful performance.  
But when you play the studio recording conducted by Stokowski, you 
hear some beautiful phrases that he did not use in the CBC broadcast, 
and no clinkers at all.

I believe this is how Gould wanted it.  I do not believe there is 
anything a recording of a live performance could offer that a studio 
recording could not--at least anything Gould would favor.

Lori Lalonde