Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 15th Year - 2019

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Glenn Gould

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

This 1993 Toronto Historical Board plaque at 32 Southwood Drive, his childhood home, has this to say about the pianist:

Coordinates: 43.675321 -79.296505

Click here for a larger map

Celebrated pianist Glen Gould was born in Toronto and lived here at 32 Southwood Drive throughout his childhood. His visionary approach to musical interpretation brought him international stature. A child prodigy, he gave his first public concert on the organ at the Eaton Auditorium 12 December 1945. He made his debut as a soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at age 14. Worldwide recognition followed his brilliant rendition of J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations, recorded in June 1955. From that year through 1964, he toured extensively in many parts of the world including North America, Europe, the Soviet Union and Israel. Dissatisfied with the concert medium, he abandoned live performances in 1964. He continued to record a wide range of music, to write articles for periodicals and to undertake innovative radio and television projects. He died in 1982 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Related Toronto plaques
Glenn Gould
Glenn Gould
Prodigy
Mount Pleasant Cemetery

More Beach neighbourhood plaques
The Beach Hebrew Institute
Beaches Branch, Toronto Public Library 1916
Community Centre 55
Dr. William D. Young Memorial
Kew Williams House 1902
Norway Post Office
Scarboro' Beach Amusement Park
St. John the Baptist, Norway
William Stewart Darling House 1873-1876

More
Arts

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted January 26, 2011
I grew up on the same street - 105 Southwood Drive and went to the same schools as Glenn. He was three years my senior. I delivered the newspaper to his parents and also to Robert Fulford's home which was next door to Glenn. We worked together as professionals as I was the bass in the vocal quartet that first recorded "So you want to write a fugue" and was premiered on the CBCTV Festival Series in 1962. 20 years later while I was AGM of the Hamilton Philharmonic, Glenn was using the ensemble as a practice orchestra, to hone his skills as a conductor. That's when he had the stroke that led to the passing of one of the world's most extraordinary human beings. I conducted a memorial service in Hamilton and hired three more singers and an accompanist and we performed "So you want to..." and a couple of Bach motets. I also gave the eulogy from my experiences both as an observer and associate. I am the sole surviving member of the original quartet. Many are my memories of Glenn Gould. Edgar Murdoch, Enderby, BC ([email protected])

Here's where you can send me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click [email protected].

Thanks
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.