Glenn Gould - The Idea Of North

As part of Radio 3's Northern Lights season, a chance to hear Glenn Gould's 'contrapuntal radio documentary' The Idea of North. The Canadian pianist made this programme for CBC in 1967, in which an anthropologist, a sociologist, a civil servant, a nurse and a surveyor discuss the subjective 'idea' and the reality of the North. Montage and voice counterpoint are used to express the antagonism and scope of the country, the loneliness and isolation, the warmth of community living, personal reasons for living there, the fear that human nature will gradually take over from the elements as common enemy number one and the challenge involved in any decision to live there.

Glenn Gould's 'contrapuntal radio documentary' on the idea and the reality of the north.