The Glenn Gould of other instruments
June 4, 2018 7:00 AM Subscribe
I like Glenn Gould. Who are other musicians that have a similar mastery of their instrument? I’m looking more for musician suggestions than individual songs, but if there are songs or performances I should start with I’ll take those too.
What I like about Glenn Gould is how passionate he is when playing. I particularly like how you can hear him humming on some recordings.
Other similar musicians are Chris Thile on mandolin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.
I like all genres of music. Who else should I be listening to?
What I like about Glenn Gould is how passionate he is when playing. I particularly like how you can hear him humming on some recordings.
Other similar musicians are Chris Thile on mandolin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.
I like all genres of music. Who else should I be listening to?
I just heard Virginia Lucque in concert last week, she plays classical and flamenco guitar, and she is a consummate musician with the kind of ability to create an emotional landscape that Glenn Gould was known for. She is also a big fan of his, and just recently recorded the Goldberg Variations. I love her. She is a major, major talent that few people know about.
posted by nanook at 7:48 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by nanook at 7:48 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Rostropovich is the Glenn Gould of the cello.
posted by missmobtown at 7:49 AM on June 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by missmobtown at 7:49 AM on June 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
You may be already hip to him, but Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Phenomenally talented artist who gave everything to the performance. In his cover of Ain't No Sunshine, you can hear him singing the lyrics as he plays the flute.
posted by ZaphodB at 7:58 AM on June 4, 2018
posted by ZaphodB at 7:58 AM on June 4, 2018
Benny Goodman became, in his later years, an amazing classical clarinettist. I love his work on American composers such as Copland and Bernstein, but in fact it's all good.
posted by ubiquity at 8:19 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ubiquity at 8:19 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Nathan Milstein has a similar (more lustrous, probably) reputation as an interpreter of Bach violin works, but I actually prefer Rachel Podger.
posted by jamjam at 8:47 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by jamjam at 8:47 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Interestingly, I don't think most people, even fans, would describe Gould's playing as passionate, per se.
I'll suggest another pianist or two if it's of interest: Martha Argerich and Sviatoslav Richter.
posted by Smearcase at 9:11 AM on June 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'll suggest another pianist or two if it's of interest: Martha Argerich and Sviatoslav Richter.
posted by Smearcase at 9:11 AM on June 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
My understanding about Glenn Gould humming had less to do with passion and more to do with being either a tic or a manifestation of high-functioning autism.
In terms of people who get lost in their music while they're playing, Michael Hedges did that.
Tommy Emmanuel is a reminder that we don't work music, we play it.
Be aware also that the appearance of getting lost in the music might be an affectation just because it makes a good show.
If you're looking for a virtuoso, oh are you in luck there.
Art Tatum
Maurice Andre had the most beautiful round tone combined a wonderfully legato attack - he made the most challenging pieces look easy.
Dennis Brain for French horn
Martin Fröst for clarinet.
James Galway for flute.
etc.
posted by plinth at 9:15 AM on June 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
In terms of people who get lost in their music while they're playing, Michael Hedges did that.
Tommy Emmanuel is a reminder that we don't work music, we play it.
Be aware also that the appearance of getting lost in the music might be an affectation just because it makes a good show.
If you're looking for a virtuoso, oh are you in luck there.
Art Tatum
Maurice Andre had the most beautiful round tone combined a wonderfully legato attack - he made the most challenging pieces look easy.
Dennis Brain for French horn
Martin Fröst for clarinet.
James Galway for flute.
etc.
posted by plinth at 9:15 AM on June 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
Ron Jarzombek (of Blotted Science) and Tosin Abasi (of Animals as Leaders) are pretty wild on electric guitar. Oh, and what about Victor Wooten or Tony Levin on bass?
posted by saladin at 9:16 AM on June 4, 2018
posted by saladin at 9:16 AM on June 4, 2018
An obvious recommendation if you have any interest in opera is Callas.
posted by Smearcase at 9:19 AM on June 4, 2018
posted by Smearcase at 9:19 AM on June 4, 2018
I think you might like jazz pianist Hiromi, both as a solo artist and as part of her trio.
posted by rollick at 9:39 AM on June 4, 2018
posted by rollick at 9:39 AM on June 4, 2018
Not a different instrument, but: Keith Jarrett
posted by gyusan at 9:59 AM on June 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by gyusan at 9:59 AM on June 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
Don Ross (guitar) might be up your alley. Here's a couple of tunes from him:
How to Eat an Avalanche
The Thing That Came from Somewhere
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:15 AM on June 4, 2018
How to Eat an Avalanche
The Thing That Came from Somewhere
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:15 AM on June 4, 2018
Fritz Kreisler and Pablo de Sarasate are historically two of the greatest violinists ever. There are plenty of recordings of Kreisler. Sarasate was active earlier, but there are recordings of him as well.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 10:17 AM on June 4, 2018
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 10:17 AM on June 4, 2018
Prince + guitar
Hope that's not too cliche. But true.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:43 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Hope that's not too cliche. But true.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:43 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
How about some under-appreciated instruments?
Chromatic harmonica: Franco Luciani
Sousaphone: Nat McIntosh
Galician bagpipes: Cristina Pato
Berimbau: Naná Vasconcelos
posted by dr. boludo at 10:58 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Chromatic harmonica: Franco Luciani
Sousaphone: Nat McIntosh
Galician bagpipes: Cristina Pato
Berimbau: Naná Vasconcelos
posted by dr. boludo at 10:58 AM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oszkár Ökrös is a cimbalom wizard.
Milt Jackson on vibes, I swear he could bend notes on that instrument.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 1:03 PM on June 4, 2018
Milt Jackson on vibes, I swear he could bend notes on that instrument.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 1:03 PM on June 4, 2018
John MacLaughlin on Guitar (any of the Mahavishnu Orchestra people, really).
Squarepusher/Tom Jenkinson on Bass (but not the "solo bass" - that's just some dicking around shit :\).
posted by symbioid at 1:09 PM on June 4, 2018
Squarepusher/Tom Jenkinson on Bass (but not the "solo bass" - that's just some dicking around shit :\).
posted by symbioid at 1:09 PM on June 4, 2018
Ali Farka Touré is a guitar legend, especially for African and Blues guitar. There are many other guitarists, but his stylistic mastery makes him a different thing to me than the Prince and Hendrix's of the world. The River is a good place to start.
posted by matrixclown at 1:32 PM on June 4, 2018
posted by matrixclown at 1:32 PM on June 4, 2018
Chromatc harmonica - Larry Adler with Itzhak Perlman
Flamenco guitar - Paco de Lucia
posted by jadepearl at 2:27 PM on June 4, 2018
Flamenco guitar - Paco de Lucia
posted by jadepearl at 2:27 PM on June 4, 2018
Roy Clark, guitar, mostly country/gospel but also known for fastest version of "Malaguena."
posted by MovableBookLady at 2:36 PM on June 4, 2018
posted by MovableBookLady at 2:36 PM on June 4, 2018
Bela Fleck is a banjo legend.
posted by slateyness at 4:26 PM on June 4, 2018
posted by slateyness at 4:26 PM on June 4, 2018
Oskar Sala was arguably THE master of the Trautonium, an early 20th century German synthesizer. If I'm remembering right, Paul Hindemith even wrote some pieces with Sala in mind. Sala's performance of Hindemith's Langsames stück und Rondo, für Trautonium (1935) is one of the coolest things I've ever heard.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 6:24 PM on June 4, 2018
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 6:24 PM on June 4, 2018
Glenn Gould was definitely an odd duck, and a lot of people think he was somewhere on the Aspergers/autism spectrum. I am currently reading 'A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano', which I highly recommend.
You might want to consider another odd duck, Derek Bell, who is most famous for playing the harp for The Chieftains, in addition to recording solo work. He also played the piano, oboe, and synthesiser.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 8:57 PM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
You might want to consider another odd duck, Derek Bell, who is most famous for playing the harp for The Chieftains, in addition to recording solo work. He also played the piano, oboe, and synthesiser.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 8:57 PM on June 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
I don't really understand what particular attributes of Glenn Gould's playing you admire. His technical mastery, emotional engagement and musicality are absolutely at the highest level.
His habit of allowing himself to hum and verbalise while playing are significant faults.
I'm a violinist, so some of my favourites are:
Hilary Hahn, who has gone beyond technical mastery to absolute technical perfection. Her precision is legendary. Listen to her playing solo Bach. It's transcendent.
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, who takes passion to the level of madness. See her live if you ever get the chance.
Rachel Barton Pine who plays Paganini with commitment, verve and terrifying accuracy. She plays some of the most challenging repertoire and makes it look, if not easy, at least comprehensible.
Nicola Benedetti for her wonderful interpretation and musicality, particularly of romantic rep.
Rachel Podger who is an absolutely astonishing performer of Baroque rep.
We live in an age of great music and great musicians. Pretty much any player at the level of international soloist is as good as, or better than, Glenn Gould at his prime.
posted by Combat Wombat at 7:20 PM on June 5, 2018
His habit of allowing himself to hum and verbalise while playing are significant faults.
I'm a violinist, so some of my favourites are:
Hilary Hahn, who has gone beyond technical mastery to absolute technical perfection. Her precision is legendary. Listen to her playing solo Bach. It's transcendent.
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, who takes passion to the level of madness. See her live if you ever get the chance.
Rachel Barton Pine who plays Paganini with commitment, verve and terrifying accuracy. She plays some of the most challenging repertoire and makes it look, if not easy, at least comprehensible.
Nicola Benedetti for her wonderful interpretation and musicality, particularly of romantic rep.
Rachel Podger who is an absolutely astonishing performer of Baroque rep.
We live in an age of great music and great musicians. Pretty much any player at the level of international soloist is as good as, or better than, Glenn Gould at his prime.
posted by Combat Wombat at 7:20 PM on June 5, 2018
Dino Saluzzi for the Argentine Bandoneon; Responsorium is a good album.
posted by bertran at 9:02 PM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bertran at 9:02 PM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
Derek Bell, who is most famous for playing the harp for The Chieftains
Just to clarify... everyone in The Chieftains is a musician's musician.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:12 AM on June 10, 2018
Just to clarify... everyone in The Chieftains is a musician's musician.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:12 AM on June 10, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Funeral march of an old jawbone at 7:16 AM on June 4, 2018 [2 favorites]