On September 25, 2007 Councillor Kyle Rae, Dennis Lee, poet and Founder of the Toronto Legacy Project, and a representative of the Gould Foundation dedicated a portion of Metro Square to Canadian music legend Glenn Gould.
"Glenn Gould has had an immeasurable impact on music and communications around the world," said Councillor Kyle Rae in his message from Mayor David Miller. "It is only appropriate that we recognize his contribution in the heart of his hometown, Toronto."
Born in Toronto in 1932, Gould became a legendary concert pianist on the international stage in his early twenties. Gould stopped performing concerts at the age of 32 in order to explore innovative ways to share his music through mass media. In doing so, he influenced a generation of musicians and audiences through his extraordinary interpretations of the works of classical composers, most notably Bach. His unique, insightful and intensely personal performances of his extensive repertoire have become milestones in the history of classical music. His ideas on the future of technology, art and society mark him as a visionary, and his revolutionary radio work has influenced broadcasters and documentary filmmakers the world over. He is one of Canada's most universally recognized cultural icons.
The Toronto Legacy Project honours notable artists and thinkers who have enriched the life of Toronto by embedding their names in the fabric of the city. Metro Square was selected by the Legacy Project Committee as the site to honour Glenn Gould due to its high-profile downtown location in the heart of the entertainment district, and its proximity to CBC's Glenn Gould Studio and Roy Thomson Hall. The designation will include the installation of two Legacy Plaques.
The Glenn Gould Foundation has proclaimed 2007-2008 the International Year of Glenn Gould to mark the 75th anniversary of the artist's birth, the 50th anniversary of his history-making tour of the Soviet Union, and the 25th anniversary of his tragically early death. Year of Glenn Gould events ranging from film festivals to museum exhibitions to special broadcast, books, films and dramatic works are being presented on four continents, culminating in the presentation of the eighth Glenn Gould Prize. The dedication of Glenn Gould Place is the official launch of the Year of Glenn Gould. For more information about the year of celebration, please visit www.glenngould.ca.
"Glenn Gould is among the most original creative figures of the 20th century and truly a figure of world cultural importance," said Brian M. Levine, Managing Director of the Glenn Gould Foundation. "This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate his legacy and the continuing impact that his artistry and ideas have on our lives."
