Classical Pianist Glenn Gould Is the Next Artist Prepping for Posthumous Hologram Tour
The late Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould is the latest artist to be brought back to life and sent to work as a hologram.
The late Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould is the latest artist to be brought back to life and sent to work as a hologram.
Eyellusion, the hologram entertainment company behind tours for Frank Zappa and Ronnie James Dio, is working with Gould’s rights holder Primary Wave Music Publishing on a Glenn Gould Hologram Tour with dates expected to be announced in late 2019.
“Glenn Gould would have loved this new technology that will bring his very best performances to venues across Canada and around the world,” said Faye Perkins in a statement on behalf of the Glenn Gould estate. “Glenn’s live performances were always an event and we are thrilled for fans old and new to be able to experience what it was like to see him on stage.”
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The Toronto-born musician died in 1982 at age 50 after suffering a stroke. Gould recorded for both CBS/Sony Masterworks and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the latter of which named a studio after him.
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He is celebrated for his irreverent playing style and interpretations of works by J.S. Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and others. Among his accolades are four Grammy Awards and a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award, three Juno Awards, a 1983 posthumous Canadian Music Hall of Fame induction and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 1998.
“Considering how much of a perfectionist Gould was about his music and performances, and Primary Wave’s deep respect and understanding of his music and artistry, we are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate closely on such an innovative production,” said Eyellusion CEO Jeff Pezzuti in a statement. “Seeing Glenn Gould play his most famous works as only he could, accompanied by orchestras in some of the world’s most famous concert halls, is the best way to experience this incredible artist’s work and contributions to modern classical music. We look forward to working with Primary Wave to create yet another incredible production that honors and passes down the legacy of one of the most important musicians of our time.”
Last year, Primary Wave Music Publishing, one of the largest independent music publishers in the U.S., acquired Gould’s music rights. The deal included his publishing and certain master recordings and audiovisual works, as well as the rights to his name and likeness.
“Glenn had a deep appreciation for technology and we’ve long known that as soon as the medium was ready to support a full scale tour, that a hologram production would be the best way to reintroduce him to the stage,” said Primary Wave founder and CEO Lawrence Mestel.
He continued, “It does not take a classically-trained ear to hear the genius in Glenn’s work, but we know that to truly experience his musicianship is to see firsthand how he commanded the piano and made it bend effortlessly to his will. That is the vision for what is sure to be a groundbreaking production.”
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