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The Gould Standard

The Glenn Gould Foundation

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 featured 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.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 4 min
  • English

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Episodes 20

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  • S6 · E69
    April 30 · 57 min

    Alexander Neef - Opera: Intimidating or Essential?

    In this episode of The Gould Standard, Alexander Neef, General Director of the Opéra national de Paris, joins Brian Levine to reframe how we think about opera, and to provide a user-friendly on-ramp for opera-curious newcomers. Beginning with its roots in Renaissance Italy, Neef traces opera’s evolution from courtly entertainment to a global cultural force, one that has continually reflected the deepest tensions, social and cultural trends of its time. From the human dramas of Wolfgang Amadeus M

  • S6 · E68
    March 27 · 1 hr 24 min

    Chris Levine - Finding the Light

    Artist Chris Levine takes listeners inside the cutting edge of portraiture, where art, science, and spirituality come together. From the technical challenges of holography, where even microscopic vibrations can ruin an image, to the pioneering image making that led to his iconic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Levine reveals how precision and intuition shape his work. He recounts the surreal experience of photographing the Queen, the pressure of reimagining one of the most depicted figures in hi

  • S5 · E63
    Dec 4, 2025 · 58 min

    Exploring Music's Primal Power with Gabor Maté

    Join Dr Gabor Maté and Brian Levine in this enlightening episode of The Gould Standard, as they explore the profound impact of music on the human experience. Delve into topics ranging from the primal elements of music and its role in early childhood development, to the therapeutic potential of music in trauma recovery. Maté and Levine recount powerful anecdotes, share personal experiences, and discuss the universality of music across different cultures. Discover how music, from lullabies to comp

  • S5 · E66
    Nov 20, 2025 · 40 min

    Dr. Gabor Maté - Trauma, Healing and Music (Part I)

    Join us for part one of a revelatory conversation (presented at The Promise of Music - The First World Congress on the Social Impact of Music presented by The Glenn Gould Foundation in October 2025). Dr. Gabor Maté is a world-renowned authority on trauma and its wide-ranging harms. Noted for his compassion, wisdom and holistic approach to mind and body, Dr. Maté is a best-selling author, and internationally sought-after speaker. Dr. Maté discusses his foundational understanding of trauma, and i

  • S5 · E65
    Jul 24, 2025 · 33 min

    Glenn Gould's First Piano - The Well-travelled Clavier

    Join Brian Levine, Executive Director of The Glenn Gould Foundation, as we look back on the 86th anniversary of Glenn Gould's birth and the first official Glenn Gould Day in Toronto. Featuring sisters Heather Tucker and Susanne Rayner. Discover the origins of Glenn Gould's musical journey through his very first piano—a humble Dominion piano—and learn about the rich history and personal connections between the Gould family and the Morton family. Hear anecdotes about Glenn's early life, his unique

  • S5 · E64
    Jun 19, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min

    Stephen Fry - Part 2 - Loveable Legend

    Join host Brian Levine on The Gould Standard podcast as he welcomes back the prolific and insightful Stephen Fry. In this enriching episode, Fry reflects on his roles in 'Wilde,' 'V for Vendetta,' and 'Gosford Park,' and explores the future of art in an AI-dominated world. Touching on themes of creativity, persecution, and the intersection of technology and society, Fry provides thought-provoking insights into both his artistic journey and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

  • S5 · E63
    Dec 19, 2024 · 1 hr 18 min

    Micah Hendler and the Jerusalem Youth Chorus - Healing through Harmony

    In this episode of the Glenn Gould Podcast, Brian Levine is joined by guest Micah Hendler where we explore the concept of small victories through music—moments of connection and understanding that we can create ourselves, even amidst great divides. Micah Hendler is the founder and artistic director of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, which follows this principle through its work in Jerusalem, where they use music to serve as a bridge between Israeli and Palestinian youth. The Jerusalem Youth Chorus

  • S5 · E62
    Nov 14, 2024 · 1 hr 29 min

    Rick Beato - Beato's Verdict

    Rick Beato is a musical and internet phenomenon. On this episode of The Gould Standard, host Brian Levine sits down with Rick, a renowned music educator, producer, and YouTube sensation. Starting with discussion around Rick's early influences, including his classical music background and exposure to jazz. Rick shares his journey from teaching to becoming a successful music producer and YouTuber with 4.5 million subscribers and over 1.5 Billion views. Rick shares the secrets to the success of h

  • S5 · E61
    Oct 24, 2024 · 1 hr 43 min

    Afghanistan’s Ahmad Sarmast: Keeping Music Alive

    Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), Afghanistan’s first modern music academy, established in 2010 to preserve the beautiful musical heritage of his country after years of rule under the Taliban had attempted to ban and eradicate all musical culture. Bringing together a diverse student body that included young women and children from the most disadvantaged rung of society, ANIM was founded both to teach music and promote human advancement and social j

  • S5 · E60
    Sep 19, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min

    Stephen Fry - Between (And Beneath) the Covers

    The inimitable Stephen Fry joins us for a warm and witty conversation, sharing stories from his rich and varied career, as a writer, actor, director, TV host, memoirist and all around polymath. Stephen talks about his latest acting projects with his signature charm, giving listeners a peek behind the curtain of his work in television and film. Fry also reflects on his adventures filming documentaries and traveling across America, offering humorous and heartfelt insights into the people and cult

  • S4 · E59
    Jul 25, 2024 · 45 min

    When Glenn Met Tim: A Landmark Conversation Revisited - Part II

    For your *continued* pleasure: a second, special bonus episode. The response of our audience has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the world premiere of the private, recorded conversation between Tim Page and Glenn Gould. They wanted to learn more about this unique audio document, and we’re happy to oblige. In this special program, Tim Page reflects on his spontaneous phone conversation with Glenn, and contrasts it with a later scripted interview for the 1982 Goldberg Variations recording,

  • S4 · E58
    Jul 18, 2024 · 19 min

    When Glenn Met Tim: A Landmark Conversation Revisited - Part I

    For your pleasure: a special bonus episode. The response of our audience has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the world premiere of the private, recorded conversation between Tim Page and Glenn Gould. They wanted to learn more about this unique audio document, and we’re happy to oblige. In this special program, Tim Page reflects on his spontaneous phone conversation with Glenn, and contrasts it with a later scripted interview for the 1982 Goldberg Variations recording, and recounts persona

  • S4 · E57
    Jun 20, 2024 · 1 hr 43 min

    Glenn Gould - The Private Tapes

    Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have received one of the legendary nocturnal phone calls from pianist Glenn Gould? For the first time, Gould Standard listeners will have the chance to eavesdrop on such a conversation, albeit one that took place in the daytime. Pulitzer prize winning music critic, Tim Page, is widely recognized as one of America’s leading writers on music and the arts. From an early age, he was fascinated by the music and ideas of the Canadian pianist, Glenn Gou

  • S4 · E56
    May 23, 2024 · 1 hr 32 min

    Robert Lepage - Master of the Impossible

    The Gould Standard welcomes Robert Lepage, the 10th Laureate of the Glenn Gould Prize, for a provocative and illuminating dialogue on his trailblazing career as an actor, director, playwright, and stage director. Drawing from his Québecois roots, Lepage reflects on how his background has shaped his artistic sensibility, from grand productions like Wagner's Ring Cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the intimate exploration of memory in his stage work "887." His dedication to pushing his

  • S4 · E55
    May 9, 2024 · 58 min

    Cornelia Foss - Painting, Music and the Love of Glenn Gould, Pt. 2

    This episode of The Gould Standard delves into the personal and artistic relationships between Glenn Gould, Cornelia Foss, and her family. We begin with Cornelia relating her first captivating encounter with Gould at a concert during her marriage with famed composer-conductor Lukas Foss, leading to Cornelia and Glenn’s eventual love affair. We explore the complex dynamics between Cornelia, Glenn, and Lukas, highlighting Gould's multifaceted personality - from his perceived reclusiveness to his w

  • S4 · E54
    Apr 25, 2024 · 52 min

    Cornelia Foss - Painting, Music and the Love of Glenn Gould, Pt. 1

    In a compelling episode of the Gould Standard podcast, listeners are treated to an intimate conversation with American painter Cornelia Foss alongside her children, Christopher and Eliza. Delving into the rich tapestry of their family history from Europe to Hollywood to New York, and the life and career of Cornelia’s husband, the great American composer and conductor, Lukas Foss, the trio shares poignant insights into their lives intertwined with art and music.  This two-part conversation also i

  • S4 · E53
    Mar 21, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min

    David Jaeger - Just Shy of Two Hours ... And Just as New

    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 Universi

  • S4 · E52
    Feb 28, 2024 · 51 min

    Víkingur Ólafsson Pt. 2: Bach and Beyond

    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

  • S4 · E51
    Feb 14, 2024 · 55 min

    Víkingur Ólafsson - Happy Birthday, Víkingur! - Part 1

    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, an

  • S4 · E50
    Jan 18, 2024 · 46 min

    A Romance on Three Legs

    In this special episode of The Gould Standard, Katie Hafner, an accomplished author and journalist renowned for her works like "A Romance on Three Legs," takes the reins as guest host. The book delves into the eccentricities of pianist Glenn Gould and his obsession with finding the “perfect piano” - fabled Steinway concert grand CD-318. Pianist and educator Jim Prosser, upon reading the book, presented a surprising revelation – one of the pianos discussed in Katie’s book is none other than his c

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