[Rarebooks] FS - Happy Birthday Glenn Gould

[Greenfield Books]

Today is the birthday of the great Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. He 
would have been 83 if he had not died, tragically, of an apparent drug 
overdose in 1982.

Gould was famous for his interpretation of Bach, and he is just as 
famous, or infamous (depending on your tastes and sensitivities) for his 
mumbling and singing when playing.

Once, when the famous conductor George Szell was leading the Cleveland 
Orchestra with whom Gould was appearing as a soloist, he remarked to an 
assistant that "That nut's a genius". Leonard Bernstein said "There is 
nobody quite like him, and I love playing with him".

Gould was also a composer, although only occasionally. His only 
significant work was the String Quartet, Op. 1, which he finished when 
he was in his 20s.

The String Quartet, (published in 1956 and recorded in 1961), had a 
mixed reception from critics. For example, the notices from the 
Christian Science Monitor and The Saturday Review were quite laudatory, 
while the response from the Montreal Star was less so. There is little 
critical commentary on Gould's compositional work for the simple reason 
that there are few compositions. He did not proceed beyond Opus 1. 
(Wikipedia).

We are fortunate to have in stock a rare copy of his String Quartet, 
Opus 1. It is a "Columbia High Fidelity" recording (long playing record) 
in its original slipcase and marked "First recording", the record 
equivalent of a first edition. What makes our copy unique and especially 
desirable is that it is signed by Gould and dated in the year of its 
pressing, 1961. The slipcase is a bit rubbed, mainly to the edges. There 
is a touch of soiling to the rear of the slipcase. The record itself has 
no obvious scratches and appears to be in excellent condition.

Images of the album, and the signature, may be viewed at our Facebook page.

We offer it for sale at $750 USD.

Terms of sale - the price is net in USD. Payment by check, credit card, 
or PayPal. No additional charge for packing and postage. Returnable only 
with prior notice if found to be in a condition other than as described.

Greenfield Books,
Member: ABAC/ILAB
217 Academy Road,
Winnipeg, MB Canada
R3M 0E3
204-488-2023
Toll free: 866-263-2665
website: www.greenfieldbooks.com