The first time Bernstein conducted Glenn Gould
OrchestrasDaniel Poulin tells us:
‘The first collaboration between Gould and Bernstein happened on January 26, 1957 in New York. Beethoven’s Concerto in B-flat major op.19 (no2) was featured.
‘Two quotes (anecdotal): After the concert Bernstein was so exhilarated that he urged they record it together “while it was hot”. Gould declined and was reported as saying “Bernstein isn’t ready”. He later strenuously denied what remains a bit of gossip; they eventually recorded it in April.
‘Later at a party Bernstein told Gould: “You played so beautifully in the cadenza that I almost came in my pants”. We don’t know how Gould reacted. We can only imagine his embarrassment, knowing his prudishness.’
A great & funny story. I’ve played Beethoven’s Second concerto but not to the point ‘I came in my pants during the cadenza’. I suspect Bernstein & Gould (they were mates after all) had a little giggle about this as the latter had quite a sense of humour & was not ‘prudish’ in reality.
Clearly he needed a man to make him almost come in his pants, since females weren’t doing it for him.
Would this constitute sexual harassment today?
“No, I said, ‘I also love the Pirates of Penzance’! “
One suspects that Lenny’s remark was actually an attempt to get into Gould’s pants rather than about his own.
I’d be interested to know how Glenn Gould felt about Leonard Bernstein s comment?
Bernstein wouldn’t have jad a carreer after that remark these days.