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List Price: $24.99
Our Price: $22.49
You Save: $ 2.50 (10%)
Availability: Usually ships in 7 to 13 days
Manufacturer: Juxtapositions
Starring: Humphrey Burton, Glenn Gould
Directed By: Bruno Monsaingeon
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0899132000206
Format: Classical
Label: Juxtapositions
Manufacturer: Juxtapositions
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Juxtapositions
Region Code: 0
Release Date: 2006-09-26
Running Time: 106
Studio: Juxtapositions
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
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Editorial Reviews:
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Glenn Gould remains an enigmatic, fascinating figure more than two decades after his death. This new film, directed by Gould's friend Bruno Monsaingeon, who has already written four books and made a 23-part TV series about him, is something very special. Taken from Gould's own words, the pianist himself seems to act as narrator in a retrospective on his life and art. A great deal of archival footage of both interviews and performances exemplify the pianist's genius and eccentricities. There are modern-day interviews as well. One with an Italian woman who comes to hang out with a sculpture of Gould in front of the CBC building in Toronto lets us in on the emotional effect he had on people, and many others discuss how he changed their perceptions of music. Gould himself is remarkably insightful in interviews. He seems to have been a man incapable of being boring or thoughtless. And, of course, the music speaks for itself. You'll hear some of the most stunning playing. Even those of us who already know and appreciate Gould will find new things here. This film is an eye- and ear-opening delight. --Robert Levine
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not All Is Gould That Glitters
Comment: Mr. Morrisson is a terrific reviewer - and I hate to disagree with him so strongly... but I want to put forward to consideration at least the possibility that this Monsaigneon film about Glenn Gould's Ghost (more or less) is an awful piece of shlock and surely (hopefully) Monsaigneon's worst effort. (I don't much like his Boulanger one either, but that's a.) an early work and b.) not nearly as tacky as this hagiography here.)
I won't say that this film *is* terrible, but I think it will be terrible to many viewers who approach this with high hopes of learning more about GG, the person (or musician, for that matter). Anyone who has read and enjoyed Kevin Bazzana's "A Wondrous Strange", for example, might approach this one with caution. Why? Well, because it's a hooky and kookey collection of reminiscenses about Gould by people who are in love with the idea of Gould. A Russian lady had her rheumaticism cured by listening to Gould on the radio, an Italian lady talks to (and even kisses? I don't remember) his spirit and statue in Toronto... it's the kind of mystisizing of Gould that will seem (legitimately) creepy to a lot of people. I could barely watch the whole thing. 'Tis tacky and really has nothing to do with Gould but rather the wackiness that he inspired in others - others who didn't even know him.
For what it is worth: I have talked to a friend of Glenn Gould's who has written prolifically about him (and edited his letters), who similarly shuddered in disgust about this film.
With so much visual material that is left of Gould himself (CBC material, his radio shows et al.), this can't be considered as seriously contributing to our understanding of Gould. I'd much rather recommend the "Thirty Two Short Films about Glenn Gould" semi-filmography.
To those who feel inclined to agree with the other, very positive reviews: I wish not to be so ungraceful as to take a bone from a dog... but caveat emptor!
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you like Glenn Gould
Comment: This is a Must Have for the many people who really like Glenn Gould. The clips of him discussing things, rehearsing, and playing are priceless. The viewer/listener gets real insights into Gould, his life and his musical insights.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Revealing Perspective on a Musical Genius
Comment: This is a DVD which captures the spirit of Glenn Gould. He was a musician who transcended the accepted, the mechanical, the artificial. He was one with the composer. Mr. Monsaingeon successfully conveys these ideas through his film.
Among the treasures of this work are some excerpts where Gould conducts elephants in a zoo, or when private recordings of his practice sessions are revealed (exposing his substantial voice accompaniment to his piano playing).
It is a DVD of importance and inspiration.
Customer Rating:
Summary: more than Gouldiana
Comment: Glenn Gould has become a cottage industry, I guess. What does it matter, when films this fine come along. Bruno Monsaigneon strikes gold with a fresh look at a music giant. All Monsaigneon's films are gems. (his film of Menuhin's return to Russia - the patience and vision sticks with me. It should be made available again.) Monsaigneon arranges his films like subtle puzzles, like paintings. Hereafter is exquisite in that way. Most of the footage used is new to me, and that's saying something since video Gouldiana is abundant, most of it repetitive in varying degrees. Hereafter's colors and sounds are modern and true, even kindly, in their way, as Gould was in his. Monsaigneon divulges a keen cinematic palette so authoritatively it seems nonchalant. Rather much like Gould's playing. His honest affection for Gould is evident. It is, moreover, adoration of Gould's art that sings and makes this film what it is. Gould's playing throughout is stupendous, baronial, overwhelming. I've never seen footage like it! A few high wires, and always that truth-telling sound that was Gould's alone, that wins souls. Absolute recommendation to both acolyte and novice. Thanks Monsaigneon for your painstaking work. And for always looking after Glenn Gould. This piece is a winner - don't hesitate.
Customer Rating:
Summary: pretentious junk
Comment: The parts with Gould are great. The other parts are silly. Who cares about somebody who got a tattoo with Gould's music? I get tired of the filmmaker, who seems stuck on himself. Better than "Extasis" but not much.
Raised a point for the quality of Gould's original material.
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