Re: Speaking of Gould and Richter

[Anne Smith <smithqa@nexicom.net>]

John asked:


>I seem to recall that Gould and Richter were not only aware of each other,
>but may have had some direct or indirect contact or communication.

>Can anyone assist me here?  What was the reationship, if any?   And what,
in
>truth, was Gould's impression of Richter and vice versa?


Anne M. is right as usual.
>From Volume 1 of The Glenn Gould Journal: Page 12
Gould's admiration for the great Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richer may seem
surprising at first, given Richter's reputation as a powerful virtuoso and a
champion  of the sorts of Romantic, Impressionistic and modern repertoire
that Gould always avoided.  Yet, from at least the time of their first
meeting in Moscow in 1957, during Gould's famous Russian tour, the two
pianists formed a mutual admiration society.

A short essay follows that GG wrote in May 1978 as a broadcast commentary
for the CBC  radio program  From the Masters.  In it GG said that he first
heard SR play at the Moscow Conservatory in May 1957.  He raved about his
playing even though he played a Schubert Sonata at a VERY slow tempo.  This
same essay is in The Art of Glenn Gould  edited by John Roberts.   From Page
73 of this book in an interview with Tovell:  I met the most famous pianist
in Russia, Sviatoslav Richer.  He is an idol in Russia -- an incredible man,
a wonderful person, a wonderful human being and a marvelous, marvelous
pianist.

Hope this helps.
Anne Smith