Few classical concert pianists have achieved the legendary status as Glenn Gould, the eccentric, reclusive Canadian who stunned the world with his uniquely expressive performances. Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould takes us into the mind of this great musician who, decades after his death, still invokes awe and wonder at his distinct and skillful interpretations of some of history's greatest composers. Johann Sebastian Bach - arguable the grandfather of the Western musical tradition, whose works including the masterpiece The Well-Tempered Clavier profoundly influenced generations of composers - once said, "The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit." And it is the music of Bach for whom Gould is best remembered, with his sublime interpretations of some of the most intricate yet moving music in history. Yet Genius Within also brings to light the price Gould appeared to pay for his genius - even in childhood his eccentricities were apparent, but as he grew older and enjoyed the fame that his gift brought to him, he became increasingly withdrawn, his public and media appearances coming across as contrived, stage-managed performances in which the quirks he was known for had become cynical exercises in public relations. The real Glenn Gould drifted into the background, and even his closest friends felt they no longer really knew him. Some attributed this to the cocktail of anti-depressants he was prescribed, but perhaps it was as much to do with genius itself; the price to pay for achieving such greatness.
