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

The Glenn Gould Foundation celebrates artistic heroes who exemplify the transformative impact of art on society and the human condition. We honour Glenn Gould’s spirit and legacy by celebrating innovation and excellence, promoting creativity and transforming lives through the power of the arts.

Glenn Gould is the best selling classical pianist of all time. He is also a writer, broadcaster, and a prophet of the information age who fully embraced new forms of technology and foresaw their game-changing impacts on society. He is the subject of over 85 books in 18 languages, as well as numerous plays and films, a ballet, and the winner of five Grammy awards, including a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. Almost 40 years after his death, he remains a global icon.

Glenn Gould Prize statue: Ruth Abernethy Photo: Eric Overton 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 current and future artistic heroes. We leverage thought, and our best national Gould’s legacy in music, culture, and accomplishments, while generating direct social technology, to the next generation of artists and and economic benefits from our cultural and innovators. educational presentations – many of them in collaboration with others arts, musical, Our Vital Work educational, and cultural organizations. Yet even world-renowned icons fade from view Generating and Encouraging if we do not do our part to keep their legacy Humanitarian Culture and their significance alive. Other than in sports, Canada has been largely uncommitted Canadian society flourishes when we recognize to acknowledging and drawing inspiration from and pay tribute to our great cultural achievers. its historically influential figures. A culture of excellence is nurtured, which helps fertilize the soil for the artistic heroes of The Glenn Gould Foundation is committed to tomorrow. ensuring that the importance of this singular genius lives on, and that his monumental We expand visions of what is artistically and achievements do not get buried by time and technologically possible, we encourage 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. “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

Library and Archives Canada

“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 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 Kenneth Chou

Gaby Winners of the Glenn Gould Prize

The lyrical and soul-searching storytelling of CanadianLeonard Cohen, one of the world’s most loved singers and poets. Cohen’s words and melodies continue to live on in our private and collective imaginations.

Eric Overton

The vocal artistry and monumental cultural impact of American opera singer Jessye Norman, whose towering voice and personality foughtfor music and education, andagainst racism, poverty, illiteracy, and AIDS around the world.

Carol Friedman 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 and its founderJosé Antonio Abreu. With its motto “Music for Social Brian Levine Brian Levine Change,” El Sistema has benefitted impoverished children in its home country ofVenezuela,as well as in Canada and many other countries.

Eric Overton

The trail-blazing cultural innovators CanadianRobert Lepage and American Philip Glass.In a Gouldian way,Lepage has redefined how cutting-edge technology can bring both intimacy and grand spectacle to the stage,and Glass has drawn upon music and cultures from across the globe and throughout history, redefining the musical landscape of our time.

Kenneth Chou Winners of the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize

Gustavo Dudamel,who has gone on to become the leading conductor of our day, and a tireless champion for the social benefits of music education for disadvantaged children.

Chris Christodoulou

Tan Dun,who went on to win the 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. 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.

Cécile McLorin Salvant, rapidly coming to be seen as the heir apparent to Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Salvant has gone on to win a Grammy for best ClassicalVocal Artist of theYear.

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, financial support, and confidence to serve many more students.

Sistema Toronto As we celebrate these global leaders in creativity, innovation, and cultural humanitarianism, we magnify their influence, leveraging sparks and sources of inspiration thatenrich Canadian culture and society.

The establishment and growth of El Sistema-inspired programs across Canada are a direct result ofJosé Antonio Abreu winningThe Glenn Gould Prize, benefitting thousands of at- Sistema Toronto 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 South America.

Sistema Toronto Sistema Toronto

Prize LaureateLeonard Cohen donated Brian Levine his prize money to the Canada Council. He wanted to help young artists,just as he was helped in the 1950s with a $25 grant to help him come to Toronto for his first poetry reading.

Brian Levine Brian Levine The Glenn Gould Prize, and our other Foundation projects are the first stage in avirtuous circle that provides powerful benefits resulting from the actions of our prize-winners and from others that we present, including:

Prize LaureateYo-Yo Ma, who has worked tirelessly for international harmony and understanding through music, donated his prize money to help create Toronto’s famed Music Garden.

John Reeves

Prize LaureateOscar Peterson’s voice in support of civil rights was amplified by receivingThe Glenn Gould Prize.

John Reeves

Our 2020 presentation of iconoclastic pianist and writerJames Rhodes has helped spread his advocacy for the role music can play in promoting mental health, especially for young people. Rhodes is currently helping overhaul Spain’s system of protection against child sexual abuse,which will be a global benchmark for international child protection.

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. foundations, and, from time to time, governments. While this inspired generosity We look forward to continue spreading the has been essential in sustaining our yearly story of Glenn Gould to the world, and in activities, The Glenn Gould Foundation needs particular to future generations. We look your help to sustain us into the future. forward to continue celebrating artistic heroes.

We are expanding our cultural offerings, and stabilizing the resources needed to help us We look forward to working with you. continue awarding The Glenn Gould Prize and the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize.

The Glenn Gould Foundation Brian Levine 1401 - 69 Yonge Street, Executive Director Toronto, Ontario M5E 1K3, Canada [email protected]