The Secret Life of Glenn Gould_A Genius in Love [2010]

"Of the dozens of books and documentaries by or about the most compelling virtuoso of the twentieth century, none has contained details about Gould's many love affairs and how they affected his life, his music, and his filmmaking. Until now, biographers have tried to explain what came out of the music box, not the engine that drove it. The vault to his private life has remained locked since his untimely death in 1982 because of his obsessions with privacy and controlling his image, the loyalty of his carefully chosen friends and lovers, and the choice that biographers made to focus safely on his music and eccentricities." "The Secret Life of Glenn Gould is the first true look at the private life of Gould - who, until now, has been assumed to be asexual, lonely, and egocentric - by examining his love and soul-mate relationships through interviews with the several women Gould dated behind the scenes. From casual flirtations to full-blown affairs, Gould's relationship with many women helped shape the genius that he was famous for. His music was twelve-tonal and his documentaries "contrapuntal." Both were filled with overlapping voices - and so was his private life."--Jacket. Read more... Abstract: "Of the dozens of books and documentaries by or about the most compelling virtuoso of the twentieth century, none has contained details about Gould's many love affairs and how they affected his life, his music, and his filmmaking. Until now, biographers have tried to explain what came out of the music box, not the engine that drove it. The vault to his private life has remained locked since his untimely death in 1982 because of his obsessions with privacy and controlling his image, the loyalty of his carefully chosen friends and lovers, and the choice that biographers made to focus safely on his music and eccentricities." "The Secret Life of Glenn Gould is the first true look at the private life of Gould - who, until now, has been assumed to be asexual, lonely, and egocentric - by examining his love and soul-mate relationships through interviews with the several women Gould dated behind the scenes. From casual flirtations to full-blown affairs, Gould's relationship with many women helped shape the genius that he was famous for. His music was twelve-tonal and his documentaries "contrapuntal." Both were filled with overlapping voices - and so was his private life."--Jacket Long after his death, Glenn Gould still lures new listeners to his piano, connecting with them on a haunting, personal level. “He feels and you feel,” says young New York writer Nicole Spectre. “I can feel his pain and joy — it touches me. He speaks directly to me.” But when he was known as the world’s greatest pianist in the 1950s and 1960s, just who was Gould playing for? His audience? Himself? His demanding mother? All are likely true, but he was also richly inspired by — and bared his soul at the keyboard to — a secret society of women, the girlfriends who stirred his hard-to-fetch emotions: Franny Batchen, Verna Sandercock, Cornelia Foss, Roxolana Roslak, and Monica Gaylord. Of the eighteen books and nineteen documentaries by or about the most compelling virtuoso of the twentieth century, none have contained details about Gould’s many love affairs and how they affected his life, his music, and his filmmaking. Until now, biographers have tried to explain what came out of the music box, not the engine that drove it. The vault to his private life has remained locked since his untimely death in 1982 because of his obsessions with privacy and controlling his image, the loyalty of his carefully chosen friends and lovers, and the choice that biographers made to focus safely on his music and eccentricities. The Secret Life of Glenn Gould will be the first true exposé of Gould, who until now has been assumed to be asexual, lonely, and egocentric, by examining his love and soul-mate relationships. His music was twelve-tonal and his documentaries “contrapuntal” — both were filled with overlapping voices — and so was his private life. Through the memories of his women and confidantes, this biography provides a fresh portrait of virtuoso pianist Glenn Gould, detailing his many motivations, dreams, quirks, and fears. Filled with personal stories from the people who were intimately involved with the man, this account shows how Gould, the world{u2019}s greatest pianist in the 1950s and 1960s, was richly inspired by, and bared his soul at the keyboard to, the numerous women who stirred his hard-to-fetch emotions. Long considered to be an asexual, lonely, and egocentric figure, this exposé#x97;by examining the details about Gould{u2019}s many love affairs and how they affected his life, music, and filmmaking#x97;presents a unique perspective on one of the most enigmatic artists of the 20th century Through the memories of his women and confidantes, this biography provides a fresh portrait of virtuoso pianist Glenn Gould, detailing his many motivations, dreams, quirks, and fears. Filled with personal stories from the people who were intimately involved with the man, this account shows how Gould, the worlds greatest pianist in the 1950s and 1960s, was richly inspired by, and bared his soul at the keyboard to, the numerous women who stirred his hard-to-fetch emotions. Long considered to be an asexual, lonely, and egocentric figure, this exposeby examining the details about Goulds many love affairs and how they affected his life, music, and filmmakingpresents a unique perspective on one of the most enigmatic artists of the 20th century. Content: Flora -- Franny and Gouldie -- Sleeping with the Pied Piper -- A Proposal -- Gladys and Cynthia -- Overlapping Voices -- The Empty Seat in the Audience -- That Spring in Berkeley Square -- Lots of Female Friends -- The Beginning of a Triangle -- The Music Intensifies -- Crushed by Carol -- To Toronto -- The Breakup -- The Voice on the Radio -- Catharsis through Music -- Transition -- Rhapsody in Moo -- The List -- Monica -- The Link between two Secret Kingdoms? -- The Laugh Heard around the World -- Susan K. -- Death -- Whatever Happened To ...