In memoriam Glenn Gould (1932-1982)

Thursday October 18, 2007	7:30 pm	Le Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée Théâtre Outremont
Friday October 19, 2007	8:00 pm	Le Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée Auditorium — Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School
Sunday October 21, 2007	4:00 pm	Le Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée Théâtre Mirella et Lino Saputo
Monday October 22, 2007	7:30 pm	Great Concert — with Nicholas Angelich, Special Guest Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier — Place des Arts

From Bach to Wagner. Gould would have been 75 years old this year. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death, some of the works he played or conducted will be performed on this occasion.

Description

Canadian pianist Glenn Gould would have turned 75 this year. Twenty-five years ago, he left us at the height of his fame, which continues to transcend borders. The OM calls forth his spirit with works that he himself performed memorably.

Originally written for harpsichord, the Concerto in D Minor (BWV 1052) by Bach now enjoys worldwide renown in its piano version.

Beethoven’s Concerto No. 2 is in fact the first in a series of five concertos for piano (composed later, the Concerto No. 1 was published first). Of all the Beethoven concertos, the second most resembles those of Mozart.

Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides overture may be qualified as a symphonic poem long before the term was coined. Subtitled Fingal’s Cave, this admirable work full of atmosphere conveys the composer’s impressions and feelings on visiting an extraordinary Scottish landmark.

Richard Wagner presented his Siegfried Idyll as a birthday gift to his wife Cosima on Christmas day. In the spirit of a German lullaby, the work quotes a few of the themes from the opera Siegfried. The title also refers to Siegfried Wagner, son of Richard and Cosima. At once a birthday gift, a tender cradlesong for little Siegfried, and a gentle music for Christmas, this endearing piece holds a special place in the Wagner oeuvre.