He listens widely and always.
He is inquisitive enough not just to listen widely, but to learn the makings of every idiom that moves him, from lieder to New Orleans rhythm and blues.
Great musicians listen widely, but then they twist, misconstrue, recombine ideas and mirror their own instincts in what they learn from their chosen mentors.
So, by all means, listen to Gould's Goldbergs — early (1955), late (1981), live (1959), primordial (1954) — but, to know Gould, listen widely to Gould, read Gould (Tim Page's anthology is essential), and watch Gould.
So, by all means, listen to Gould's Goldbergs early (1955), late (1981), live (1959), primordial (1954 but, to know Gould, listen widely to Gould, read Gould (Tim Page's anthology is essential), and watch Gould.
And whereas jazz musicians have always listened widely at home (Charlie Parker loved Stravinsky, Coltrane listened to field recordings of African and Asian music), now some of them are transferring their findings bluntly into performances.
Reading, watching and listening as widely as possible is a crucial part of my job as a freelance journalist, and this has led me to the work of some fascinating writers and broadcasters.
"Non-Western music was being played live by Ravi Shankar all across America, and the Nonesuch explorer recordings of West African and especially Balinese gamelan music were being listened to widely.
Music-based interventions including music therapy, community singing groups and music listening are widely accepted as beneficial for the psychological well-being of people with dementia.
The justice ministry said the decision to drop the controversial Titan programme came as a result of "consulting widely and listening to all views", and denied it was linked to spending constraints.
