Canada Ping!
Posted on 10/11/2014 7:57:28 PM PDT by Squawk 8888
The warmest place in Toronto, whether in the high heat of summer, or on the bleakest chill of endless February, is a couple of feet in front of the CBC building on downtown Front Street, about the length of 20 Steinway grands from the landmark CN Tower.
It is the bronze bench which forms one element of the wonderful memorial statue of Glenn Gould, situated right in front of the centre named after the pianist. Going into host Cross Country Checkup every Sunday afternoon, I’ve seen it over and over again: People walking, tourists or Torontonians, catch a glimpse of the statue. Gould is sitting in full “kit” — wearing the famous overcoat and cap, the muffler scarf — he liked to bundle up in regardless of season (it’s a good question if he would have noticed global warming). His legs are crossed, and he’s idly gazing, it appears, at passersby. They see him, and they pause.
Gould on the park bench issues such a cheerful summons. People actually “cuddle up’” to him — a gesture of familiarity so out of character for the introspective, shy Gould in real life. The statue’s draw is amazing. Ruth Abernethy, the Ontario sculptor, should be enrolled in her own hall of fame for this work. It has such appeal.
I was reminded of all this just last week by the sad occasion of the 32nd anniversary of his so premature death. He was but a poor 50 years of age on Oct. 4, 1982, when he died, and the world lost so much music that could have been.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
Then they ought to have one for Oscar Peterson.
Canada Ping!
If they do, it would be in his hometown- Montréal.
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Thanks for the inspiration- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3214127/posts
Goldberg Variations both years—my favorites or his. Love to listen to the different years back to back.
love to hear him hum as he plays as well.
The do...
That’s amazing, that’s exactly how I imagined a statue of OP would look like, complete w/piano!
I was in Toronto last month for TIFF and saw that, since I stayed in that general area and walked around a lot. What a wonderful city it is!
Thanks. I have plenty of gripes but overall I like it here :)
I agree, the sculptor definitely captured his personality.
I think the only album of his that I own is the Slaughterhouse Five soundtrack.
I haven't heard the earlier version but if it is the equal of the later one, both are sublime. Sublime performances were demanded by a sublime composition and Gould delivered them.
Excuse me, but why did you post this article under the key word “homosexualagenda?”
I didn’t put in any keywords; it was added by someone else.
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