Canadian Pianist Glenn Gould Died in 1982

Canadian pianist Glenn Gould passed away from a stroke aged just 50

Luminary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould died, from a stroke, on this day in 1982 – aged just 50.

Gould was a child prodigy and was later regarded as a musical phenomenon in adulthood.

His mother taught him piano, and as a baby, it is said that he hummed instead of crying, and wiggled his fingers as if playing a keyboard, prompting his doctor to predict he would "either be a physician or a pianist." Gould reportedly learned to read music before he could read words, and by age three, he developed perfect pitch.

At age 10, he started his studies at the Toronto Conservatory of Music in Toronto, (later becoming The Royal Conservatory of Music), where he studied piano with Alberto Guerrero.

In 1946, at 13 years old, Gould made his Canadian debut, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. His American début came in 1955, and the release a year later of his first Columbia recording, of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, which marked the beginning of a spectacular career of touring and concert performances until the age of 31. Despite having stopped giving concerts at the age of 31, he is widely remembered as one of the finest pianists of the 20th Century.

Of note, is Gould's tour to the Soviet Union in 1957, the first North American to perform there since the Second World War.

He is particularly regarded for his interpretations of the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach. He shone as a pianist because of his impressive technical skill and ability to express the intricate counterpoint of Bach's compositions.

Known for his eccentricity, but strong and convincing performances, Gould could be heard speaking or quietly singing along with his playing.

During and past his lifetime, Gould won many awards, including three Juno Awards and four Grammy Awards, although he only accepted one of each.

Dying in 1982, aged just 50, he is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th Century.

The first few bars of Bach’s Goldberg Variations are carved into his grave’s headstone.

GLENN GOULD | BACH | GOLDBERG VARIATIONS | 1981