The Gould Standard

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 d...

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 exper...

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 dis...

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 inter...

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...

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...

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 the...

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 wi...

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 disadvanta...

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 documentar...

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...

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...

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 ar...

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 N...

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,...

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 p...

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 con...

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, argu...

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, explor...

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, pres...

In the second segment of this exclusive podcast interview, we continue to explore the remarkable life and achievements of the extraordinary Cécile McLorin Salvant. Beloved for her enthralling narrative flair, impeccable vocal mastery, and passion for traversing an extensive spectrum of musical genres, Cécile McLorin Salvant is one of the few true reigning divas of jazz. But her creativity, curiosi...

Beloved for her enthralling narrative flair, impeccable vocal mastery, and passion for traversing an extensive spectrum of musical genres, Cécile McLorin Salvant is one of the few true reigning divas of jazz. But her creativity, curiosity, and wayfaring imagination take her well beyond the boundaries of any one style or genre of expression. In this revealing conversation, Cécile unveils her musica...

From his humble beginnings in Chennai, India, to becoming an international sensation, legendary musician AR Rahman shares his life story and his remarkable musical journey. In Part 2 of this exclusive podcast interview, we delve deeper into the extraordinary life and accomplishments of this multifaceted artist. Rahman reflects on his groundbreaking work composing the Oscar-winning score for the fi...

A.R. Rahman’s early life, marked by personal loss and perseverance, served as a catalyst for his musical genius and set the stage for his unparalleled success as one of the most beloved musicians of our time. At the age of nine, Rahman began supporting his family by playing the keyboard in orchestras and working as a session musician. Catching the attention of renowned Indian film directors, Rahma...

The Gould Standard welcomes back acclaimed pianist James Rhodes to once again share his profound insights on music and life. With refreshing honesty, Rhodes delves into the transformative power of music and its indelible impact on his own life journey, from trauma to triumph. James fearlessly discusses his mission to break down barriers and make classical music accessible to all, challenging conve...