Sonata, Op. 5 / 5 Piano Pieces = Klavierstücken = Pièces Pour Piano, Op. 3

Released by CBS Masterworks in 1984, this recording captures Glenn Gould performing Richard Strauss’s Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 5, and his Five Piano Pieces, Op. 3. These early works by Strauss reflect a post-romantic sensibility that fascinated Gould, who championed the composer’s piano music throughout his career, often pushing against the prevailing critical view that Strauss was primarily a master of tone poems and opera rather than absolute music.

The recording is part of Gould’s late-career exploration of Strauss's output, a period characterized by his meticulous, highly articulate, and sometimes eccentric interpretation style. As a digital production from the CBS Masterworks series, it highlights the technical precision Gould demanded in his studio sessions. Upon its release, it was received as a significant document for collectors of Gould’s discography, providing a rare look at his engagement with Strauss's formative piano compositions.