Glenn Gould makes at recording at 15

Glenn Gould makes at recording at 15

News

norman lebrecht

October 29, 2021

Another from Daniel Poulin’s treasure-chest of rarities.

Comments

  • MR says:

    This Glenn Gould recording of Domenico Scarlatti reminds me of hearing Vladimir Horowitz playing the Sonata in B Minor K. 87, originally for harpsichord, on the car radio. The music sounded much like Ludwig van Beethoven, yet I was unable to place the specific sonata. After learning from the announcer it was Scarlatti rendered by Horowitz, and exiting my car back home, I went online to learn about this magical pairing. What a revelation to read how Beethoven idolized and emulated Scarlatti’s keyboard music, furthering the Italian composer’s innovations within the expanding prism of his own evolving inclinations. And Scarlatti lived much of his life in Spain, absorbing influences from that musical culture including elements of Spain’s Muslim history. More specifically, one hears charged rhythmic figures derived from nature and dance presented with an infectious humor and storming percussive blasts alternated with mercurial filigree first appearing in Scarlatti and assimilated and expanded upon conceptually by Beethoven.
    http://azuremilesrecords.com/phantompuppetpoetry.html

    • MR says:

      “More specifically, one hears charged rhythmic figures derived from nature and dance presented with an infectious humor and storming percussive blasts alternated with mercurial filigree first appearing in Scarlatti and assimilated and expanded upon conceptually by Beethoven.” This comment pertains to works like the Second Movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. For connections with the mentioned Vladimir Horowitz performance of Scarlatti’s Sonata in B Minor, K. 87, the Second Movement of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 comes to mind.
      http://azuremilesrecords.com/ludwigsprecision.html

  • Amajor Gouldian says:

    Enter young genius! Glenn Gould shows here that he’s getting ready to change the musical world forever. What technique and musical literacy at only 15.

  • Philip Moores says:

    Can someone please tell me which Sonatas they are?! Thanks

    • Daniel Poulin says:

      First track: B minor Sonata. complete (no repeats): 3’03”
      Second track: F minor Sonata ‘Allegro assai’, complete (no repeats): 1’42”
      Third track: G major Sonata ‘Presto’, take 1, complete (no repeats) a few glitches; fades out a bit at the end: 2’10”
      Fourth track: G major Sonata ‘Presto’, take 2, first strain only, faster: 1’01”

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