Case for Support 01
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El Sistema student playing violin donated byThe Glenn Gould Foundation,part of a $150,000 gift of instruments in honour of Dr.JoséAntonioAbreu,winner of the Glenn Gould Prize. Celebrating Artistic Heroes At The Glenn Gould Foundation we connect The Foundation inspires local and national this rich legacy and these multiple talents to pride in Glenn Gould, our spirit of independent The Glenn Gould Foundation celebrates artistic current and future artistic heroes. We leverage thought, and our best national heroes who exemplify the transformative Gould’s legacy in music, culture, and accomplishments, while generating direct social impact of art on society and the human technology, to the next generation of artists and and economic benefits from our cultural and condition. We honour Glenn Gould’s spirit and innovators. educational presentations – many of them in legacy by celebrating innovation and excellence, collaboration with others arts, musical, promoting creativity and transforming lives Our Vital Work educational, and cultural organizations. through the power of the arts. Yet even world-renowned icons fade from view Generating and Encouraging Glenn Gould is the best selling classical pianist if we do not do our part to keep their legacy Humanitarian Culture of all time. He is also a writer, broadcaster, and and their significance alive. Other than in a prophet of the information age who fully sports, Canada has been largely uncommitted Canadian society flourishes when we recognize embraced new forms of technology and foresaw to acknowledging and drawing inspiration from and pay tribute to our great cultural achievers. their game-changing impacts on society. He is its historically influential figures. A culture of excellence is nurtured, which helps the subject of over 85 books in 18 languages, as fertilize the soil for the artistic heroes of well as numerous plays and films, a ballet, and The Glenn Gould Foundation is committed to tomorrow. the winner of five Grammy awards, including a ensuring that the importance of this singular posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. genius lives on, and that his monumental We expand visions of what is artistically and Almost 40 years after his death, he remains a achievements do not get buried by time and technologically possible, we encourage global icon. neglect – as has happened to so many Canadian transformational individual successes, and we artists, scholars, scientists, and thinkers. help place humanitarian culture at the forefront of our national identity. We proclaim to the world the importance of Canadian ingenuity and creativity, and that our Our comprehensive program of cultural and cultural talent stands shoulder-to-shoulder with educational initiatives includes promotion of the very best anywhere. young artists, concerts, lectures, symposia, cultural collaborations, commissions and web- based activities. Every two years we award the internationally recognized Glenn Gould Prize and the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize. Some have likened The Glenn Gould Prize to the cultural world’s equivalent of the Nobel Prizes. Glenn Gould Prize statue: Ruth Abernethy Photo: Eric Overton “I love how The Glenn Gould Foundation supports humanity, culture, and art. It honours a true genius and is responsible for so many societal and educational benefits. As an organisation, it is an enhancer of life.” - James Rhodes, one of the world’s preeminent and most popular classical pianists, played a Glenn Gould Foundation concert in Toronto in 2020. He has written about the childhood sexual abuse he survived, and how music – and listening to Glenn Gould – helped save his life. Richard Asnett Jock Carroll “My admiration for the artistic genius of Glenn Gould began very early on in my studies … a master of the keyboard and intellect of the highest order … Thank you to The Glenn Gould Foundation. To have been chosen to receive this auspicious recognition is quite simply breath-taking!” - Jessye Norman,2019 Glenn Gould Prize Laureate, with 2019 Glenn Gould Protégé Prize winner Cécile McLorin Salvant Library and Archives Canada Kenneth Chou “Music saved my life and has saved the lives of thousands of at-risk children in Venezuela ... like food, like health care, like education, music has to be a right for every citizen.” - Gustavo Dudamel, musical director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic,who had his musical beginnings in El Sistema. Dudamel was selected by El Sistema founder José Antonio Abreu,the Laureate of the 2008 Glenn Gould Prize, for the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize. Eric Overton Gaby Winners of the Glenn Gould Prize We are a one-of-a-kind organization that celebrates and honours the unique genius of Glenn Gould, as well as the artistic heroes that he continues to inspire today. The El Sistema music-education program The lyrical and soul-searching and its founderJosé Antonio Abreu. storytelling of CanadianLeonard With its motto “Music for Social Brian Levine Brian Levine Cohen, one of the world’s most loved Change,” El Sistema has benefitted singers and poets. Cohen’s words and impoverished children in its home melodies continue to live on in our country ofVenezuela,as well as in private and collective imaginations. Canada and many other countries. Eric Overton Eric Overton The trail-blazing cultural innovators CanadianRobert Lepage and American The vocal artistry and monumental Philip Glass.In a Gouldian way,Lepage cultural impact of American opera singer has redefined how cutting-edge Jessye Norman, whose towering voice technology can bring both intimacy and and personality foughtfor music and grand spectacle to the stage,and Glass education, and against racism, poverty, has drawn upon music and cultures illiteracy, and AIDS around the world. from across the globe and throughout history, redefining the musical landscape of our time. Carol Friedman Kenneth Chou Winners of the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize In the spirit of mentorship and passing the torch from one generation to the next, the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize recognizes, encourages and honours outstanding young talents selected by our Prize Laureates. Gustavo Dudamel,who has gone on to Cécile McLorin Salvant, rapidly coming become the leading conductor of our to be seen as the heir apparent to Sarah day, and a tireless champion for the social Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Salvant has benefits of music education for gone on to win a Grammy for best disadvantaged children. ClassicalVocal Artist of theYear. Chris Christodoulou Hector Perez The Children of Sistema Toronto. Laureate Leonard Cohen was so inspired by the story of previous Glenn Gould Prize winner,José Antonio Abreu, and the establishment of Toronto’s own Sistema that he decided to “pay it forward” by choosing the children of this newly established program as his Glenn Gould Protégés, presenting the award to them on the stage of Massey Hall, which immediately gave the newly established program visibility, Tan Dun,who went on to win the financial support, and confidence to serve many more students. Academy Award for the score of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and whose music is performed in the world’s major concert halls and opera houses. Sistema Toronto As we celebrate these global leaders in creativity, innovation, and The Glenn Gould Prize, and our other Foundation projects are the first cultural humanitarianism, we magnify their influence, leveraging stage in avirtuous circle that provides powerful benefits resulting sparks and sources of inspiration thatenrich Canadian culture from the actions of our prize-winners and from others that we present, and society. including: Prize LaureateYo-Yo Ma, who has worked tirelessly for The establishment and growth of El international harmony and understanding through music, donated Sistema-inspired programs across his prize money to help create Toronto’s famed Music Garden. Canada are a direct result ofJosé Antonio Abreu winningThe Glenn Gould Prize, benefitting thousands of at- Sistema Toronto John Reeves risk young Canadians.The creation of Sistema Toronto resulted from this awarding ofThe Glenn Gould Prize,as well as a gift of $150,000 in musical instruments to El Sistema students in Prize LaureateOscar Peterson’s voice in support of civil rights South America. was amplified by receivingThe Glenn Gould Prize. Sistema Toronto Sistema Toronto John Reeves Our 2020 presentation of iconoclastic pianist and writerJames Rhodes has Prize LaureateLeonard Cohen donated helped spread his advocacy for the role Brian Levine his prize money to the Canada Council. music can play in promoting mental He wanted to help young artists,just as health, especially for young people. he was helped in the 1950s with a $25 Rhodes is currently helping overhaul grant to help him come to Toronto for Spain’s system of protection against child his first poetry reading. sexual abuse,which will be a global benchmark for international child protection. Brian Levine Brian Levine Peter Hundert Your Essential Role In order for us to continue encouraging artistic excellence at all levels we need your support. Leveraging Our Impact and Reach Working With You In the name of Glenn Gould, we are carrying Glenn Gould remains a Canadian and global forward Canada’s message to the world, and icon of excellence, creativity, and innovation, a you are an essential part of this. By helping proud symbol of Canadian genius and leverage our local and international achievement known around the world. At The collaborations, and increasing our impact and Glenn Gould Foundation, we want to keep it reach, your support makes a difference. that way. Your generous support enhances and magnifies the humanitarian, educational, Although the word “foundation” is in our technological, and cultural initiatives that the name, we did not begin with, nor do we Foundation represents. With your support, we currently have an endowment which would will continue to inspire and transform lives in ensure our future. Started in 1983, The Glenn Canada and across the globe. Gould Foundation has depended over the years on the annual philanthropic generosity of Your gift helps us to continue enriching the individuals, corporations, charitable fabric of Canadian society.