Glenn Gould

Did you know Canada.. Glenn Gould was a Canadian pianist who became one of the best-known and most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century!

Gould performed fewer than 200 concerts over the course of his career spending the rest of his time and talents on writing, composing, conducting, and broadcasting.

Gould is widely known for his unusual habits. He usually hummed while he played the piano claiming that his singing was subconscious; he was renowned for his peculiar body movements while playing and for his insistence on absolute control over every aspect of his playing environment. For example the temperature of the recording studio had to be exactly regulated leading to a very warm room. Gould rarely shook hands with anyone and usually wore gloves. He had to sit fourteen inches above the floor and would play concerts only while sitting on the old chair his father had made. He continued to use this chair even when the seat was completely worn through - that chair is now at place of honor in a glass case at the National Library of Canada.

Among his many recognitions in 1983, Glenn Gould was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Source: glenngould.ca, Collections Canada, The Canadian Encylopedia, Wikipedia