SOLID GOULD

Calling all bards—a poetic tribute to Canada's beloved piano man

Ellen Fox

 January 6, 2000 

For those of you who think books on musicians come in only two forms—bubblegum paperbacks on pop stars like Britney Spears and Ricky Martin, or musty tomes detailing the lives of classical greats like Beethoven and Bach—behold the following call for manuscripts in the classified section in this month's Poets & Writers Magazine:

"Glenn Gould anthology seeks poems inspired by the Canadian pianist's life and work. Topics may include (but are not limited to) Canada's North, Bach, art, music, musicianship, preparation for performances, stage fright and eccentricity. Payment in copies."

Just when you thought there were no new literary genres, Evanston publisher John Gordon Burke trumps the book world with collected odes of praise for a dead Canadian pianist. Think nobody gives a shit? The anthology's Lakeview-based editor, J.D. Smith, has already received fourteen submissions, with postmarks ranging from Vancouver to Key West—and he's expecting up to 200.

While this isn't the first time Gould's been the subject of eccentric tribute—there was also 1993's "Thirty-two Short Films About Glenn Gould"—Smith says he's surprised by the breadth of subject matter. So far, two poems have explored Gould's pre-performance ritual of soaking his hands and forearms before going on stage. Others have mentioned his tendency to bundle himself up regardless of the weather, his driving habits and his reputation as a nightowl. "In the last fifteen years of his life, he generally didn't get up before 4pm," Smith explains.

The anthology is likely to be published in the fall, Smith says. No word yet on whether a book of valentines for raven-haired Russian piano prodigy Evgeny Kissin is forthcoming.