Glenn Gould World’s Greatest Bach interpreter

On my walk through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, I came across the grave of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated pianists, Glenn Herbert Gould.

Renowned as the greatest interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach’s keyboard works, Glenn’s extraordinary talent was evident from a very young age. Born at home in Toronto on September 25, 1932, Glenn was an only child who learned to read music before he could read words. By the age of three, he was already recognized as having perfect pitch.

While most kids were navigating elementary school, Glenn was attending the Royal Conservatory of Music, from which he graduated at just 12 years old—a testament to his rare prodigious gift.

Many will recall Glenn’s unique chair, specially designed due to a back injury in childhood. This low seat allowed him to pull down on the keys with precision, rather than striking them from above, creating his signature style and sound.

Glenn Gould passed away in Toronto on October 4, 1982, at the young age of 50. A devoted animal lover, he left half of his estate to the Toronto Humane Society and the other half to the Salvation Army.

1932-1982

Many visitors at Gould’s grave leaving flowers and items on top of his gravestone.

Glenn’s grave marker has an outline of a grand piano and inscribed at the bottom are the opening notes of J.S. Bach’s, “Goldberg Variations”.