Country

:

New Zealand

Birth

:

May 27, 1909 in Cape Town, South Africa

Death

:

December 2, 1982

 

Isador Goodman was a renowned Australian classical pianist who was born on August 27, 1909, in Melbourne, Australia. He was the youngest of six children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants, and his father was a tailor. Goodman's parents were musically inclined, and they encouraged their children to pursue music. Goodman's older brother, Alexander, was also a pianist and became his first teacher. Goodman showed an early aptitude for music, and by the age of six, he was already performing in public. He made his debut with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the age of 11, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major. He continued to perform with the orchestra throughout his teenage years, and in 1927, he won the prestigious Melbourne Sun Aria competition, which helped to launch his career. In 1928, Goodman traveled to London to study with the renowned pianist Tobias Matthay. He also studied with other notable pianists, including Harold Bauer and Ignaz Friedman. While in London, he made his debut at the Wigmore Hall, which was a significant milestone in his career. Goodman returned to Australia in 1930 and quickly established himself as one of the country's leading pianists. He performed regularly with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras throughout Australia. He also gave solo recitals and chamber music concerts, often collaborating with his brother Alexander, who was a violinist. In 1934, Goodman married his wife, Zara, who was also a pianist. They had two children, a son named David and a daughter named Helen. Zara often accompanied Goodman on his concert tours, and they frequently performed together as a piano duo. Goodman's international career began to take off in the 1940s. He made his debut in the United States in 1940, performing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Artur Rodzinski. He also performed with other major orchestras in the US, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Goodman's reputation as a pianist continued to grow, and he became known for his virtuosic technique and his sensitive interpretations of classical music. He was particularly admired for his performances of the music of Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. In 1955, Goodman was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music. He was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953 and the Centenary Medal in 2001. Goodman continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He made several recordings for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), including a complete cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas. He also recorded the complete piano works of Chopin and Mozart. Goodman's last public performance was in 1982, when he played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He retired from performing shortly afterward, but he continued to teach and mentor young pianists until his death in 1982 at the age of 73. Isador Goodman was a true ambassador for classical music in Australia and around the world. He was a gifted pianist who inspired generations of musicians with his artistry and dedication to his craft. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many pianists he taught and influenced throughout his career.

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