Glenn Gould was a Canadian pianist and creative trailblazer who transformed the piano field in the mid-20th Century. Gould’s legacy serves as a perennial source of inspiration, fascination, and, at times, controversy for subsequent generations.
Here are three lessons on innovation from Gould’s remarkable story —
Lesson 1: Develop your own voice and style.
Glenn Gould played by his own rules. He developed a personal approach to piano technique, resulting in unparalleled clarity and precision in fast passages. To achieve this, he sat very low at the piano–almost touching the keys with his nose. He also had a contentious habit of humming along with his playing, which is often discernible in his recordings. Instead of focusing on what others thought or expected, Gould concentrated on dialing into and expressing a unique musical vision.
Lesson 2: Use technology creatively.
Glenn Gould was among the first classical pianists to fully embrace the creative possibilities of recording technology. He saw the studio as a lab for experimenting with different sounds and effects through detailed edits. Gould did not seek to reproduce live performances in the studio. Instead, he worked to create something entirely new by splicing, overdubbing, and mixing recordings into new works of art that could not exist without technology. Defying the “purist” norms of his day, Gould ushered in a new era of record production that continues today.
Lesson 3: Share your evolving journey.
Over the course of his career, Gould dramatically evolved his approach to the music he played. He was among the first pianists to make two very different recordings of the same work: Gould’s contrasting recordings of Bach’s Goldberg Variations in 1955 and again in 1981 have become among the most discussed and significant recorded piano works of the 20th century. These recordings show the evolution to a performer’s interpretation over time, introducing audiences to the idea that artistic expression can change as an artist’s perspective adapts and matures.
An Innovation Legacy For Our Time
For fans and detractors alike, there is no doubt that Glenn Gould was a visionary who transformed the status quo of his day. His example continues to provoke and inspire creatives in our own time to develop new voices and techniques, to look for creative ways of incorporating technology, and not to be afraid to evolve over time.
