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Can anyone ID this movie?
> A quick question that you skilled Gouldian musicians should be able
> to answer.
> Would GG have played these pieces often for his own entertainment?
>I read somewhere that he only played the 2 pt inventions once. As a
>non-musician
>I find this incredible.
>Had I one thousandth his pianistic ability I would play them endlessly!
>Regards Eric
I have somewhat more or less than one thousandth of GG's pianistic
ability, but I particularly appreciate his fresh interpretations,
unfettered by *tradition*. Right now I'm listening to his Byrd, Gibbons,
Sweelinck CD for about the hundredth time (which I don't wish to do with
very many recordings). After I'd first heard this album, I went to the
university library for copies of the scores (now they're all downloadable
from the net). And after many years of playing them, trying to capture what
it is that he does (afterall, these are mostly very easy pieces!) I'm ready
to concede defeat, but what I've gained!, which I can apply to later
styles, which wouldn't have been uncovered by the study of any other
interpretation.
This reminds me of a line from a "B" movie which I've never forgotten,
but maybe someone can identify the movie for me. This older lady is
teaching piano to a young man and in one scene he plays the Chopin C#m
waltz fairly well, with overall reserve and a little haltingly. Then she
sits down grandly and plays the Schubert Eflat op90 impromptu brillantly!
I still remember the contrasting power of middle section in Bm and the
transition back to Eflat theme, funny - the things we recall over the many
years. Anyway, when she's finished and he's looking totally dejected, she
says something to the effect of "Don't despair, by reaching the level of
playing that you've reached, you will appreciate music far more than people
who have never played." I always taken heart in this statement!
The movie was made no later than the mid 50's, but more probably very
late 30's to the 40's, judging by the clothes styles. The stars are not
household names today, to my knowledge, but I only saw part of the movie,
on TV, in the mid 60's. I would like to locate it, I'm sure it would be a
shock and a puzzle as to why it has stuck with me for three decades! Any
help??
Kindest regards,
Jerry
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"Kindness is my religion", the Dali Lama
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