Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2011

Canadian piano prodigy Glenn Gould burst onto the global music scene in the ’50s with his fresh and provocative interpretations of the classics, his winningly chatty manner and his good looks. He transcended the term “pianist,” internalizing composers and trying new and effective ways of presenting their music. (He once told an enraged contemporary composer that he didn’t understand his own work.) He renounced concerts at age 31. Hated them. Oddly, his most lasting contribution to the world of music may be his revolutionary ideas on recording techniques. Well-done doc.