Glenn Gould's Notable Quotes | Generated by AI
Question: What are Glenn Gould’s quotes?
Answer:
Glenn Gould (1932–1982), the renowned Canadian pianist famous for his interpretations of Bach, was also a thoughtful writer and speaker on music, art, and life. Here are some of his most notable and frequently cited quotes:
- “The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.”
- “Isolation is the one sure way to human happiness.” (Often associated with his reclusive lifestyle and preference for studio recording over live performances.)
- “If an artist wants to use his mind for creative work, cutting oneself off from society is a necessary thing.”
- “I tend to follow a very nocturnal sort of existence mainly because I don’t much care for sunlight.”
- “Until I was about 13, somehow I managed to assume that everyone reacted to everything just about as I did. I took it for granted that everyone shared my passion for overcast skies. It came as quite a shock when I discovered that there were actually people who preferred sunshine.”
- “I’ve always had a sort of intuition that for every hour you spend with other human beings, you need X number of hours alone.”
- “In the best of all possible worlds, art would be unnecessary. Its offer of restorative, placative therapy would go begging a patient. The professional specialization involved in its making would be presumption. The generalities of its applicability would be an affront. The audience would be the artist and their life would be art.”
- “The justification of art is the internal combustion it ignites in the hearts of men and not its shallow, externalized, public manifestations.”
These quotes reflect Gould’s views on solitude, the role of art, and his eccentric personality.
References:
- Goodreads: Glenn Gould Quotes
- A-Z Quotes: Glenn Gould
- BrainyQuote: Glenn Gould
- Glenn Gould Official Site Quotes