The Gould Standard

A conversational podcast about the arts, culture, and contemporary society.

We talk with artistic heroes working to create a more inclusive and mindful world, hear their incredible stories, and get to know what makes them tick. Our guests are leaders in a wide range of fields, nationalities, and lived experience, including musical composers and performers, painters, poets, filmmakers, actors, dancers, broadcasters, and more.

The Gould Standard

  • David Jaeger – Just Shy of Two Hours… And Just as New
    The Gould Standard
    The Gould Standard
    David Jaeger – Just Shy of Two Hours… And Just as New
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    David (Trent) Jaeger embodies a spirit of limitless adventure and versatility in the musical world, excelling as a composer, producer, and performer. His early explorations at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Toronto underscored his pioneering spirit as an advocate for experimentation around the emerging field of electronic music which produced a profound influence on Canadian contemporary music. He helped establish a cutting edge digital sound synthesis facility at the University of Toronto during the early 1970s. Embracing a new chapter at CBC in 1973, Jaeger curated Two New Hours, a landmark weekly radio series dedicated to bringing contemporary music to a wide audience. His collaboration with Glenn Gould allowed Jaeger to glean and share insights into the brilliance of the Canadian pianist.

  • Víkingur Ólafsson Pt. 2: Bach and Beyond
    The Gould Standard
    The Gould Standard
    Víkingur Ólafsson Pt. 2: Bach and Beyond
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    In this second part of his extended conversation with Brian Levine, acclaimed Icelandic pianist, Víkingur Ólafsson, discusses a variety of topics related to his craft and passion for music. He discusses the polarizing effect of Glenn Gould and how his influence has inspired Ólafsson’s own interpretation and performance of music. Ólafsson also questions the idea of so-called ‘classical’ music, arguing that the term could be removed altogether, as music is not bound by time or specific periods. He reveals insights into his creative process and how he prepares for recorded sessions and live concerts, emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning dynamics and maintaining unpredictability.

  • Víkingur Ólafsson – Happy Birthday, Víkingur! – Part 1
    The Gould Standard
    The Gould Standard
    Víkingur Ólafsson – Happy Birthday, Víkingur! – Part 1
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    Víkingur Ólafsson, Iceland’s superstar pianist, engages in captivating dialogue in Part One of his interview on the Gould Standard. From Reykjavik to New York, Ólafsson delves into the profound influence of his Icelandic roots and reflects on his educational journey from early studies with his parents to Juilliard. The conversation unveils a multifaceted glimpse into his musical philosophy, exploring topics ranging from his insights into Bach’s Goldberg Variations (which he has just recorded, and which he calls the greatest work of keyboard music ever written) to his nuanced views on music competitions. Ólafsson boldly contends that exceptional art should act as a catalyst for societal discourse, with the potential to overcome divisions, following in the footsteps of one of his inspirations, Glenn Gould.

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