Glenn Herbert Gould, born on September 25, 1932, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was a renowned Canadian classical pianist. He was celebrated for his exceptional technical skill and his distinctive interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach's keyboard works. Gould's early musical talent was nurtured by his mother, and he began studying piano at the age of three. By the time he was ten, he had entered the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, earning an associate degree in 1946.

Gould's career took off with his debut performances in New York City and Washington, D.C., in 1955, which led to a recording contract. His 1956 recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" became one of the most acclaimed piano recordings ever. Despite his success, Gould was known for his eccentricities, including his unique posture at the piano and his aversion to live performances. He retired from concert life at the age of 31 to focus on studio recordings.

Throughout his career, Gould preferred contrapuntal works, especially those by Bach, Beethoven, and Schoenberg, and he largely avoided the Romantic repertoire. In addition to performing, he was a writer, broadcaster, and producer, creating television programs and radio documentaries. Gould received numerous accolades, including posthumous Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. He passed away on October 4, 1982, in Toronto, leaving behind a legacy as one of the 20th century's most influential pianists.