“In searching for a manner in which CBC Radio 2 could pay tribute to pianist Glenn Gould on what would have been his 75th birthday (September 25, 2007), I was reminded of the means by which composers throughout history have honoured the memory of Johann Sebastian Bach – the composer most associated with Glenn Gould. Composers from Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Max Reger to Hanns Eisler, Walter Piston and Nino Rota have all celebrated Bach’s genius with works based upon the letters of his name: B-A-C-H (Note: in German, B = B flat; and H = B natural.)
In this spirit, CBC Radio 2 commissioned eleven composers, from coast to coast, each to write a prelude and fugue for piano based upon the available letters in Glenn Gould’s name (G-E-G-D). I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by the range and diversity of approaches that our composers have taken in realizing their individual commissions.
The title for this festive feast of fugal fecundity is taken from one of Glenn Gould’s own compositions: a light-hearted conversation piece in which Gould asks, incredulously, “So You Want to Write a Fugue?” This work, scored for four solo voices (SATB) and string quartet, was composed in 1963 for a CBC television programme called The Anatomy of the Fugue.”
– Neil Crory, Senior Music Producer, CBC Radio 2
“…few would have predicted the sheer beauty of most of the 17 pieces…this has to be the most exciting disc of new Canadian music in years. It overflows with invention, and most compositions find that elusive balance between being easy on the ears and being thought-provoking…There are no duds on this magnificently potent tribute to Gould’s legacy.”
– John Terauds, Toronto Star
“The creativity on this disk is astonishing for the variety of treatments of a single subject. The musicians are of the highest possible level.”
– Stanley Fefferman, Showtime Magazine
“The 12 composers are consistently playful and inventive…I enjoyed the whole program pretty much from start to finish.”
– Mark Lehman, American Record Guide
Video:
Gregory Oh performs Prelude and Fugue by André Ristic
JOCELYN MORLOCK
1-2. Prelude & Fugue
CHAN KA NIN
3-4. Glenn Gould Gala: Fantasia & Fugue
KATI AGÓCS
5. Nostalgia for Airs Unheard
ANA SOKOLOVIC
6-7. Prelude and Fugue for gg
DIANA MCINTOSH
8-9. A Mir Prelude and Fugue
ANDREW PAUL MACDONALD
10. Tocatta e Fuga in memoriam Glenn Gould
HEATHER SCHMIDT
11. Twelve for Ten
MALCOLM FORSYTH
12-13. Preludio e Fuga sul Nome di Glenn Gould
STEWART GOODYEAR
14. Prelude & Fugue
ANDRÉ RISTIC
15-16. Prélude et Fugue
GARY KULESHA
17. Fugue and Postlude
PERFORMERS:
David Swann, piano
Lydia Wong, piano
Christina Petrowska Quilico, piano
Stephen Clarke, piano
Robert Kortgaard, piano
Heather Schmidt, piano
Peter Tiefenbach, piano
Steward Goodyear, piano
Gregory Oh, piano
Andrew Burashko, piano
