Glenn Gould - beyond 'interpretation' to approach complete musicality

With Gould it was the placing and shaping of every note and and pause which was godlike - in the sense that it was a microcosm of the creator at work.

This was made possible by a combination of a highly detailed and explicit form of musical understanding, astonishingly intense and sustained powers of concentration, and a superb technique.

This goes beyond, is at a higher level than, the question of musical 'interpretation' (with such concerns as tempo, phrasing and fidelity to the score or composer's intentions) - it is simply the primary realisation of music.

Gould was not the greatest pianist - rather he was, in his fashion, the most complete performing musician.