Serenity.

In the best of all possible worlds, art would be unnecessary. Its offer of restorative, placative therapy would go begging a patient. The audience would be the artist and their life would be art. I believe that the justification of art is the internal combustion it ignites in the hearts of men and not its shallow, externalized, public manifestations. The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.
- Glenn Gould

Gould performing Franz Liszt's piano transcription of Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, Pastoral



Bruno Monsaingeon: What a strange instrument you have!

Glenn Gould: I think that it has a quite good sound!

Monsaingeon: I am not talking about the piano, I was rather talking about this ... this ... this thing that I don’t know exactly how to call it ...

Gould: That thing! (seeming to be irritated, imitating a German accent) Mister, don’t be so disdainful about a member of the family!

Monsaingeon: What do you mean by "member of the family"?

Gould: It is a travel companion, without whom I cannot work, without whom I cannot play. I have been using it for 21 years, this ... thing! That we could also classify as chair!

Monsaingeon: Did you really perform concerts with it?

Gould: I’ve never given any concert without it; at least for 21 years.

Monsaingeon: Do you mean ... that it has been as close to you as Bach?

Gould: Oh, very much closer for telling the truth.

An explanation of this riddle (and more) is given in the documentary Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould. Don't miss it.