"The purpose of practice is not to master craft, but to master mood."
This quote by Glenn Gould emphasizes that the primary objective of practicing a skill or art isn't just to excel technically, but rather to cultivate and control one's emotional state or 'mood.' Mastery of mood refers to the ability to express and convey the intended emotions through one's craft. This means that the artist is not merely a technical virtuoso but possesses an emotional depth that resonates with their audience. In essence, Glenn Gould encourages us to delve deeper into our practice and seek mastery over our inner emotional landscapes, as much as our outer skills.
"I don't know what I am - an artist, a musician, a pianist, or whatever. Labels are for cans and jars."
This quote by Glenn Gould highlights his rejection of rigid categorization in defining one's identity. In essence, he suggests that the labels we assign to people, such as artist, musician, or pianist, can be limiting and fail to capture the full complexity and diversity of a person's talents, experiences, and creative expression. Gould instead prefers to embrace the fluidity and multidimensionality of his artistic identity, which encompasses various aspects beyond the traditional definitions of a 'pianist' or 'artist'.
"A performance is the best translation of a composer's score that we can hope to achieve in time, space, and with our equipment."
This quote by Glenn Gould emphasizes the importance of a musical performance as an interpretation or realization of a composer's work. He suggests that the performance should aim to be the most accurate representation possible given the limitations of time, space, and the performer's equipment (such as instruments). In essence, Gould is stating that a performance is not just a personal expression, but a faithful translation of the composer's intentions within the constraints of practicality.
"I don't really understand this frenzy of competition. I can hardly believe that people who work at music do it to beat someone else."
Glenn Gould's quote suggests a deep dissatisfaction with the competitive nature often associated with artistic pursuits, particularly in music. He implies that genuine engagement with music is not about outdoing others but rather about personal growth and understanding of the art form itself. This perspective underscores the importance of intrinsic motivation and self-expression over external validation or competition. In other words, Gould values the journey of learning and mastering one's craft more than the race to reach a finish line defined by others.
"The performer's only authority is his integrity."
Glenn Gould's statement suggests that a performer derives their power or influence not from external factors, but from their inner integrity – their honesty, sincerity, and adherence to personal principles in the execution of their work. In other words, it's not about fame, wealth, or popularity; rather, it's about staying true to oneself and maintaining a strong moral character while engaging with one's craft.
There's a very curious and - and almost sadistic lust for blood that overcomes the concert listener, and there's a waiting for it to happen: a waiting for the horn to fluff; a waiting for the strings to become ragged; a waiting for the conductor to forget the subdivide, you know? And it's dreadful!
- Glenn Gould
Concert pianists are really afraid to try out the Beethoven Fourth Concerto if the Third happens to be their specialty. That's the piece they had such success with on Long Island, by George, and it will surely bring them success in Connecticut. So first there's tremendous conservatism. And then stagnation sets in. Or it certainly did in me.
- Glenn Gould
I love the early sonatas; I love the early Mozart, period. I'm really fond of that moment when he was either emulating Haydn or Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach or anybody but himself. The moment he found himself, as conventional wisdom would have it, at the age of 18 or 19 or 20, I stop being so interested in him.
- Glenn Gould
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