Glenn

Mike Ross, Brent Carver, Jeff Lillico & Steven Sutcliffe. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Whether you are a longtime fan of the beloved, idiosyncratic Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, or new to his life and music entirely, Soulpepper's current production of David Young's Glenn has something of interest to offer. 

Using Gould's two famous recordings of J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations as the score and structure of the play, Young conducts a complex examination of the contradictory artist. Audience members with little background on the man may find it difficult to follow at times since Gould's character is portrayed by four actors playing four different aspects of his persona: the Prodigy (Jeff Lillico), the Performer (Mike Ross), the Perfectionist (Steven Sutcliffe), and the Puritan (Brent Carver). Each reveals a distinct side of Gould at different stages of his life, overlapping in time and space to create a beautiful depiction of this extraordinarily talented and troubled man.

Born in Toronto in 1932, Gould became a concert pianist at just 15 years old, and in his twenties his unconventional recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations launched his international career. Gould was also known as a broadcaster and a writer—he was a prolific contributor to music journals in which he outlined his own unique philosophy on music theory. A deeply introspective hypochondriac, who struggled in the spotlight, he retired from the stage in 1964, preferring to spend time in his recording studio at the CBC where his experiments with recording technology were well ahead of his time.

My parents lived in the same apartment building as Gould during the last years of his life and confirmed that he was indeed a quirky figure who kept to himself and dressed in a heavy coat and gloves even in warm weather. Young's script addresses this eccentricity and others, such as the fact that he often hummed while playing, and that his piano and chair had to be a certain distance from the floor. Not to mention he had a thing for Barbara Streisand and Petula Clark.

Director Diana Leblanc gets superb performances from this fine cast. Carver's older, Puritan Gould is particularly studied and powerful. Although the set itself could do with less clutter, choreographer Monica Dotter's graceful movements are visually hypnotic throughout. 

Heady, heartfelt and harmonic, Glenn is a unique tribute to a homegrown legend. Don't miss the opportunity to learn more about the man behind the music. 

Glenn runs until October 4 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Visit soulpepper.ca for more information and to buy tickets.

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