I have chosen to compare and contrast Glenn Gould’s interpretations of “Aria” from the Goldberg Variations. The 1955 version of this section is taken quite quickly, it has an almost choppy feel to it in places and I’m not sure if this is because of the piano, the recording, speed or the style he chose to play it in. The 1981 recording is considerably slower, clocking in at over a minute over the duration of the 1955 recording. The 1981 recording has a much more connected and smooth feeling to it, where the 1955 feels choppy and almost disconnected at times the 1981 flows through. The 1981 recording also has a considerably clearer sound, you can really hear the development in both recording and Glenn Gould’s playing quality over those twenty six years. The 1981 recording also sounds very light and it flows very nicely, I think this is the biggest difference between the two recordings because it changes the whole feel of the piece. On one hand we have the 1955 recording that sounds more weighted and disconnected, and on the other we have the same piece recorded twenty six years later and it hardly sounds like the same piece at all because the style has changed so much. I really enjoyed listening to these two recordings because it is really quite amazing to be able to see exactly how much the style and ability of someone as iconic as Glenn Gould changes and improves over time.
Author: hollymus116 (Page 2 of 2)
Sound 1:
Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles
Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles is a song that tells the story of a woman who died in the church. The inspiration behind the song is unclear to this day, but it is a very poetic piece of music.
Eleanor Rigby should be included because the Beatles are a very influential band and this is one of my personal favourites of theirs. The Beatles were huge all over the world in their prime and if everyone on earth knows their names extraterrestrial beings should too, their music changed a lot over the course of their career but it managed to stay relevant and keep a solid following of most of the world. I chose Eleanor Rigby specifically because it’s quite poetic and shows how the lyrics can change how a piece of music makes you feel and how the music can help to convey a story that might be less effective than words alone.
Sound 2:
Glenn Gould
This is a recording of Glenn Gould playing a piece by Bach, while he plays he sings a long which is something he did every time he played.
This recording of Glenn Gould should be included because Glenn Gould was an influential, quirky Canadian piano player. It’s important to include music from all over the world and being in Canada I would like to showcase one of our own amazing talents. I also like this recording because you can hear him sing along, this is important because it gives better insight to his personality as well as his music. (Fun fact: my great uncle Charles Verne Edquist was Glenn Gould’s piano tuner).
Sound 3:
Ducks Quacking
This is the sound of mallard ducks quacking. This a sound I hear quite a bit living near a creek and having a pond in my backyard, the ducks are always happy to quack and say hello.
I think this sound should be included because I think that the sound of a quacking duck is usually a joyful one that deserves to be heard. It is a sound that most people on earth have probably heard in their life time and therefore deserves to be shared with extraterrestrial life forms as well.
- Looking back at the “bones of summer” how have you engaged or created art? If you haven’t engaged or created art, please describe why.
I have engaged in making music both on my own using various instruments and voice and with friends in my covid bubble. I have also spent a fair bit of time drawing and painting as well as knitting. I enjoy knitting when I get stressed because it gives me something mindless to do with my hands that has a clear product in the end, that and drawing give me a nice way to unwind.
- What things, if any, surround you that you consider powerful?
I consider nature to be one thing that surrounds everyone that is very powerful. I think it is powerful because it can get torn down and still bounce back, it has the most beautiful plants and animals that can destroy anything that makes a wrong move.
- Over the next couple of days, take note of the dominant sounds in areas that you consistently walk. What are the sounds you notice most of all? Be specific.
A lot of the time when I walk the sound of ocean waves rolling onto shore is quite prominent as well as the sound of birds whether it’s the song of something small and pretty, or more commonly seagulls squacking near the beach. There’s often a breeze that makes the leaves rustle in the trees. There’s also usually people talking and walking and the sound of cars driving by.
- How do you relate to the phrase “free time only works if you steal it?”
I think that phrase is very accurate because if all you have is free time you stop taking advantage of it. It seems like people who keep busy always find a way to make time for the things they enjoy and appreciate the time they spend doing it whereas people who have nothing but time stop appreciating it and seem to end up having less time for things they enjoy than they did when they had more in their life.
- Do you have any other takeaways from the film?
I think that Leslie Laskey is a great example of someone who knows what he enjoys and makes sure there is enough time in the day to do it which is something that will keep him young even well into his 90’s.
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