GLENN GOULD PRIZE GALA REPORTS

[sturgess66]

There is video here in this CBC article about the gala event, including a bit of video of Leonard's acceptance -
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/ ... -gala.html

Leonard Cohen Donates $50K from Glenn Gould Prize
Singer-songwriter gives cash to Canada Council for the Arts
CBC News
Posted: May 15, 2012 9:59 AM ET
Last Updated: May 15, 2012 1:22 PM ET

Video Content
http://www.cbc.ca/video/watch/News/Canada/ID=2235083062
Friends and fans of Leonard Cohen paid tribute to the Montreal poet and singer-songwriter in Toronto Monday night, as he received the Glenn Gould Prize and donated its $50,000 cash to the Canada Council of the Arts.Leonard Cohen tribute3:28

A modest Leonard Cohen accepted the $50,000 Glenn Gould Prize at a star-studded gala tribute in Toronto on Monday night, before promptly donating the cash to the Canada Council for the Arts.

"The truth is without the help and encouragement of the Canada Council, I would never have written The Favourite Game or The Spice Box of Earth," Cohen said, referencing early writing scholarships received from the council that helped him launch his career.

"I am profoundly grateful."


Leonard Cohen acknowledges the audience after receiving the $50,000 Glenn Gould Prize in Toronto on Monday night.Leonard Cohen acknowledges the audience after receiving the $50,000 Glenn Gould Prize in Toronto on Monday night. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

The 77-year-old poet and Canadian music icon hushed the crowd of friends, family and fans offering him a standing ovation at the Massey Hall gala. He also offered a bit of reassurance to the slate of musicians — including his singer-songwriter son, Adam — set to offer musical tributes.

"I'm going to make these remarks mercifully short because I want to hear the music … if there is any anxiety about performing in front of me, please let it dissolve completely. I go into bouts of child-like ecstasy … when I hear anyone cover my songs," he said.

Musicians who took the stage included Toronto's Cowboy Junkies and Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor, while spoken tributes came from the likes of former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, actor Alan Rickman and author Michael Ondaatje.

Earlier Monday, the younger Cohen told CBC that though he had always admired his father, he hadn't "demonstrated his influence on me and celebrated him outwardly until late in my life."
Cohen's son says 'thank you for the music'

On Monday night, he offered a touching homage with his father's songs, performing Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye and leading a closing singalong of So Long, Marianne.

"I welled up when my father was speaking. I'm so honoured to be part of this honour," Adam Cohen said.

"Thank you for the music. Thank you dad."

Described by some as the Nobel Prize of the Arts, the award is presented biennially to "an individual for a unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts." The prize includes a corresponding $15,000 protégé honour, with the recipient chosen by the winner. Cohen selected the music education program Sistema Toronto as his co-winner.

The Montreal troubadour joins an esteemed list of previous Gould Prize laureates, including:

Jazz great Oscar Peterson.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Conductor and music educator Jose Antonio Abreu.
Composer R. Murray Schafer.

[bridger15]

Item one, page one
This thread is specifically for:

GLENN GOULD PRIZE GALA REPORTS

Postby jarkko » Fri May 11, 2012 3:51 am
This new thread is for your reports and photos from the Glenn Gould Gala on May 14!!

By inference this also includes members comments and questions about other members reports and photos.

MODS. How about having a separate thread for media reports and other non-member items?

Thanks,
---Arlene

[bridger15]

I am back in LA and starting to process my memory card and my notes. It will take me a few days for re-entry.
I have read all the members reports, comments and replies and enjoyed them all even with a few tears. Thanks everyone.
There has been a lot of special interest in the wonderful Adrienne Clarkson. Here is my photo of her.
She spoke from a lectern at the opposite side of the stage than Leonard did.

nb. Photos were allowed, but no flash. I did comply with that. ---Arlene

[Roy]

Will you post Adrienne Clarkson's entire speech, word for word, as well as Leonard Cohen's entire speech? Did anyone else give a speech about Leonard?

[bridger15]

Will you post Adrienne Clarkson's entire speech, word for word
NO
, as well as Leonard Cohen's entire speech?
NO
Did anyone else give a speech about Leonard?
just about everyone spoke about Leonard

The gala was definitely recorded. You will get to see and hear all the speeches, addresses and remarks in due time.
---Arlene

[Sochijava]

First - apologies for not meeting up with my friends from the forum at Fran's beforehand. My dinner with an old friend went late, I'm so sorry I missed you. Also - I had trouble logging into the forum from my iPad, so I couldn't write anything up until now - I'm home.

As you have no doubt noted from the others, it was a wonderful night. I wept (quietly) through most of the first half. I felt such overwhelming, incredible pride and joy. An unusual feeling considering I've never met Mr. Cohen, expect of course through his words. You'd think I was his mother from all my tears and pride. Alan Rickman's speech touched me very much (I hope we can track down the transcripts), particularly when he said : "Like most people here tonight, I'd say I know Leonard Cohen, even though I don't know him at all, but, like you, I've met him on every page and every song." So true.

My husband and I had front row seats up very high - on the second balcony I guess. Leonard sat almost directly across from us, one level down, on the first balcony, front row of course. What a treasure that was, to be able to sit in the same audience with him, across from him as he enjoyed the show, chatted with Adrienne Clarkson (who was sitting next to him) and to the odd fan that made their way over. I'm so very fortunate. I wish we heard more from him of course, but his anecdotes about Glenn Gould were charming, witty, fascinating. I learned much about Glenn Gould, which was a wonderful thing too. More pride. Leonard's donation of the prize money to the Canadian Council for the Arts was great moment. As previously reported, the protege award went to Sistema Toronto, a program that offers free, intensive music education to children from culturally diverse and typically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The children of Sistema had prepared a video for Mr. Cohen which was shown during the gala - the video showed a group of the Sistema children singing Hallelujah to him. Impossible to keep the eyes dry through that I tell you.

I loved the poetry, the recited words, the stories about Leonard Cohen best. Michael Andaatje's reading was touching and for Canadians who aren't enamoured - to put it mildly - with our current PM, there were something for us during Andaatje's reading from The Favourite Game. Big applause for criticism of the Cdn PM - notwithstanding the fact that this was written in the early 1960s, it clearly resonated with many in the theatre.

As noted Adrienne Clarkson was fabulous and so touching. I loved her story of Leonard visiting her at Rideau Hall when she was Governor General. Apparently he observed that Rideau Hall (the official residence of the GG) was Clarkson's "zen monastery." I had seen her at the Ottawa concerts in 2010, but it was fun to hear she went to nine concerts in all during the last tour. A true Cohenite indeed.

Alan Rickman's recital of a poem by Thomas Wyatt from the 16th century juxtaposed with "This is it" was simply fantastic. Impeccable delivery, as one would expect from an accomplished actor I suppose. I liked Gordon Pinsent's poem too, but who doesn't love Gordon Pinsent?? Few here in Canada anyway. I saw him signing many autographs too. Rickman wouldn't sign autographs, he was in a hurry to get to the after party at Fran's I guess.

The music was good, although to be honest, there were a few technical problems - it seemed like no one rehearsed?? Several awkward moments, problems with the arranging of the podiums, etc. Both Greg Keelor and Adam flubbed lyrics (Greg was the only one to 'drop the f-bomb' though). Unlike an earlier report, my musical favourite was the Cowboy Junkies version of Avalanche (awesome - despite technical problems in the beginning), and the duet with John Prine and the Cowboy Junkies. As others have said, seeing John Prine perform was something special.

Serena Ryder is amazing, look for her covers of Cohen on YouTube if you aren't familiar with her - and all her music. I loved her sweet and enthusiastic wave up to Leonard when she came on the stage for the first time. He waved back equally enthusiastically of course. I saw her afterwards cheerfully signing autographs outside of Massey Hall.

Adam did well and I loved the So Long Marianne sing along at the end, but it did seem a little forced. His much reported Celine Dion quip was very funny though.

While I couldn't get in to the after party at Fran's, I did watch (big windows) Leonard dancing in delight and thoroughly enjoying the band covering his tunes at Fran's. He stayed there until just after midnight I think, just for the two songs plus a few short conversations. Then he was ushered into a waiting car, with the security guards yelling "no one rush Mr. Cohen!!". Quite a crowd had gathered, but we didn't rush him obviously. I was close enough to touch him, but no opportunity to congratulate him or to thank him for everything he has given us. There was so much love and gratitude in the audience, I'm pretty sure he felt our pride, our love and our deep, deep gratitude.

As Clarkson said: "It is what we want you to do for us." And we are so thankful that he does it.

I will cherish last night for a very long time, that is certain.

[Sochijava]

I feel bad now for saying that the music was only 'good.' It was very good. But is was just a little rough, a little too unpolished, a little too unpracticed, compared to some other tribute concerts I've seen. Of course, this is the only one I've seen live in person, so perhaps that makes a difference?

I just didn't want to do a disservice to the music, which was lovely.

Best,
Paula

[lizzytysh]

Jack Lazariuk posted this on Anjani's site. With his permission, I'm posting it here.

He titled it:

"A Night to Remember"

The Glenn Gould Prize Gala for Leonard Cohen was a much more than I expected treat.

The speeches were short and interesting and the venue was intimate. Massey Hall in Toronto. The host was the actor Colm Feore.

The performances were amazing.

It began with one of my favourites ; Jimmie Dale Gilmore singing Tower of Song. I would have liked to see more of him. He is also a great song writer. If you don't know him you can get a taste at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIgg_QjJCxQ

Basia Bulat was next singing If It Be Your Will. I had not heard of her before nor do I know the kind of instrument she was playing - she was wonderful and since she is local to my area I am going to try to see her again.

Gordon Pinset did an original poem
greg keelor travis good sang Famous Blue Raincoat

Anjani was exquisite singing Crazy To Love You
The rendition she gave was even better than from her CD. She ended it with a time of humming that was totally riveting. She also looked gorgeous.

The much loved John Prine sang Souvenirs from his new album and then a very masterful version of Bird on the Wire.

Alan Rickman was very entertaining, beginning with reciting a poem by Thomas Wyatt he then recited Leonard's "This is it" The contrast was very amusing. Then he spoke Leonard's song Going Home

I got to hear James McMurtry for the first time when he sang Closing Time. He was so good and I am wondering why everyone has kept him a secret from me.

Serena Ryder was also a big hit singing Sisters of Mercy. She has such a charming and joyfully playful way about her. Very fun to watch.

Cowboy Junkies sang Avalanche and with John Prine sang One of Us Cannot Be Wrong.

Hearing Adam Cohen singing for his father was very touching.


so very very glad that I got to attend this show.

[bridger15]

I feel bad now for saying that the music was only 'good.' It was very good. But is was just a little rough, a little too unpolished, a little too unpracticed, compared to some other tribute concerts I've seen. Of course, this is the only one I've seen live in person, so perhaps that makes a difference?

Thank you Paula, for your wonderful report. All the reports have been great.

I happen to agree with you that it seemed a little too unpracticed by a few of the performers. I was particularly shocked to see the legendary John Prine constantly peeking at a sheet of paper checking the lyrics during "One of us cannot be wrong." In fact it was darn right distracting.
I can understand that there may be some technical stage problems given the same day set-up (I witnessed the trucks arriving in the morning with equipment and instruments). But there is no acceptable reason why polished performers would show up without knowing Leonard's lyrics spot on. After all, they came to pay tribute to a great man for receiving a great honour.

I happen to disagree with you about the Cowboy Junkies cover of "Avalanche". I thought it was the worst version I have ever heard and could hardly wait for it to stop.

Sorry we missed you at the meet-up. Perhaps another time.

Lizzy: Thank you for posting Jack Lazariuk's report. It is indeed a very good summary.

---Arlene

[imaginary friend]

Ah Jack – I loved your report (via Lizzy – thanks L). I miss your presence on this forum.

Paula, Call it as you saw it – it was a gentle report and your honesty resonates. Y'know, I think there are those of us who are more touched by his spoken words and those more by his songs. We are fortunate to have both.

I'm listening to New Skin for the Old Ceremony, as I organize our (very late/Jamaica time) dinner. And I'm feeling very blessed.

XO

[bridger15]

Did anyone see who came out of this vehicle?
It has a Ford front, so not sure if it is a stretch van or a stretch limo.

---Arlene

[Wimmer]

Thanks so much for the video Arlene and the wonderful write up Ronaldson and Linda for the Twitter updates.

Thanks for all the newspaper reports. My work is on the desk but I can not work, to have read everything.
I am so happy about receive this award for Mr. Cohen.

Marina

[MaryB]

Paula,

I greatly enjoyed reading your honest, in-depth review of the event. The deep emotions felt by you, the audience, the presenters, and LC clearly came through in your report of this prestigious award ceremony. Thank you.

Kindest regards,
Mary

[sturgess66]

Here's an entertaining article by Sinan Govani- in the Arts Section of Canada's National Post - about the gala and surrounding events - entertaining and informative and delicious with a bit of gossip thrown in
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/05/16 ... adies-man/

Lauding the Ladies’ Man

Shinan Govani May 16, 2012 – 8:30 AM ET
Last Updated: May 15, 2012 5:28 PM ET


There as no shortage of praise for Leonard Cohen as he received the 9th Glenn Gould Prize.Darren Calabrese / National Post

Among the highlights at the Leonard Cohen-palozza held Monday night in Toronto — an event that took on the characteristics of a liturgy, and constituted an all-out exercise in monotheism at Massey Hall — was an address, and a vow, by Adrienne Clarkson. Her speech — passionate, personal, on-point — stood out not just as a spiel of the sacred, but for a sub- and surtext verging on the romantic.

During Cohen’s last tour, the grooviest former GG told the room (in which the legend, and his fedora, sat as well), “I went to nine concerts in four different countries.” Including, yep, a stop in Bilbao, Spain, where she now carries the memory of 14,000 Basques singing Closing Time in unity.
Related

With Cohen set to tour again later this year, the super-duper groupie followed up, “I hope to beat that record.” (Expedia: you have been warned!) The memory lane, further strolled, included Clarkson’s remembrance of the bard doing her show on the CBC in 1967 (his first time singing on television!), as well as a swath of moments shared: in Paris at Café de Flore; brunch at Beauty’s in Montreal; and fun times at her own regal address of Rideau Hall.

All this — and as laudatory as she was! — Clarkson actually stopped short of the words she once spun in an essay she once wrote about the legend: “When he speaks to you, a pattern appears in the shadow on the wall, the floors moulds to your feet.”

Well, nobody said Cohen wasn’t a ladies’ man.

Appearing several points later in the program, tied to the legend’s acceptance of the prestigious Glenn Gould Prize, was the 77-year-old’s been-for-a-bit girlfriend (and muse) Anjani Thomas. (And, yes, he called her his “girlfriend” at a dinner held right before the tribute!) Taking the stage, the native Hawaiian looked luscious, her hair ready good to do a Garnier commercial. She also seemed to have the nothing-to-sneeze-at talent of wearing the hell out of pants. Singing her man’s song, Crazy to Love You — which she did in a minimalist, 4 a.m.-hour style — I was reminded that she and Cohen have been spotted in all manner of domesticated harmony in recent years. They were even eye-spied grocery shopping together in Los Angeles!

When all was said and sang and bromanced — Cohen’s extreme appeal even extends to the likes of actor Alan Rickman, who told us on this night that Mr. Beautiful Losers is like the modern equivalent to Renaissance poet and English sonnet-father Thomas Wyatt — the night spilled over to, of all place, Fran’s, across from Massey Hall. Sweet potato fries! The diner of eternal youth! The mise-en-scène of so many stands, one-night and more! Cohen, Clarkson, Rickman. They were spotted among the booths, and all the revelry. Others who’d come out to celebrate and participate — rocker Melissa Auf der Maur, author Michael Ondaatje, the bard’s own son, Adam Cohen — were spotted, too.

Cohen — a lover for the ages — was even seen bopping a little. And the fedora played on.

[rike]

I have nothing to contribute to this thread but a THANK YOU to all of you who did. Thanks!