Re: Glenn Gould - is he on crack??

I recall a story about Gould playing a Brahms piano concerto early in his
career with the NY Philharmonic where he insisted on playing at such slow
tempos that the conductor, Leonard Bernstein, was pulling his hair out and
publicly disclaimed any responsibility for the performance.  

No doubt about it, Gould was an eccentric genius and possessed the technique to
do anything he wanted.  He engenders strong feelings in people, who either love
him or hate him.  I count myself among the former and have never understood
those who criticise his playing as dry or overly technical.  I sometimes find
my tear glands flowing freely when listening to some of his Brahms as well as
his Bach.  I never liked his Beethoven, though.  I've known a number of piano
teachers who become very critical and angry at students for trying to emulate
Gould's way of playing Bach.  Seems ridiculous.