Image right: 45RPM Record released by Diaphon, November 1955. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Pianist, Isador Goodman, settled in Strathfield in about 1972, after a long and illustrious career.
He was born in South Africa in 1909 to musical parents.[1] A child prodigy, his first public appearance, aged just seven, had been with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor. At 13, after the death of his father, he travelled to London with his mother to study at the Royal College of Music, receiving an open scholarship and several awards.
Goodman moved to Australia, aged 20, in 1929, joining the NSW Conservatorium of Music as a very young piano teacher. This caused some controversy when Australian teachers were overlooked for the post.[2] In 1932 he played at the inauguration of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC). During April 1934 he performed at Strathfield Music Club’s first meeting for the year along with tenor, Robert Scott, and contralto, Heather Kinnaird.[3] Although an incredibly talented classical performer, Goodman also appreciated popular and jazz music, which helped in earning a living. He composed for several films including Jedda in 1955.
Goodman served in New Guinea during WWII, becoming temporary captain in the Australian Army Education Service. He also gave concerts for the soldiers, sometimes performing on pianos held together with glue and string.[4] It was during this time that he composed his New Guinea Fantasy. In September 1944 he was discharged as medically unfit, having given 200 performances to more than 150,000 servicemen.[5]
During 1945 he gave a ‘farewell’ tour throughout Australia. Immediately after the war he toured extensively overseas, visiting India, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, South America, England and the USA.[6] This tour included a Royal Command Performance for the King and Queen at St James’ Palace.[7]
During the 1950s he regularly performed with a 31-piece concert orchestra on ABC radio where he conducted the orchestra, gave solo performances on the piano, wrote all the orchestrations and compered the sessions.[8]
In 1967 Goodman returned to teaching at the Conservatorium of Music although he suffered injuries in a serious car accident in 1969. During the 1970s he performed a series of concerts at the new Sydney Opera House including performing Liszt’s Second Hungarian Rhapsody at the Concert for Darwin to raise funds after Cyclone Tracey.
He also performed on television in his own series which ran for three years.[9]
Australian Women’s Weekly 26 December 1973 p.10 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51196345
Goodman settled in Strathfield in about 1972 with his fourth wife, Virginia and daughter, Linda. He was interviewed by the Australian Women’s Weekly at his Strathfield home in 1973. According to electoral rolls he was living at 12 Morgan Place Strathfield in 1977 and 53 Augusta Street Strathfield in 1980.
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1981. His last recital was at the Sydney Town Hall on 26 September 1982 and he died on 2 December 1982.[10]
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Live Performance Australia. Isador Goodman AM 1909-1982 https://liveperformance.com.au/hof-profile/isador-goodman-am-1909-1982/
[2] Sydney Morning Herald 1 October 1929 p.11 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16588874
[3] The Australian Women’s Weekly 7 April 1934 p.18 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47494227
[4] The Australian Women’s Weekly 26 December 1973 p.10 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51196345
[5] Live Performance Australia. Isador Goodman AM 1909-1982 https://liveperformance.com.au/hof-profile/isador-goodman-am-1909-1982/
[6] Sydney Morning Herald 8 November 1945 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17958861
[7] Live Performance Australia. Isador Goodman AM 1909-1982 https://liveperformance.com.au/hof-profile/isador-goodman-am-1909-1982/
[8] The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser 21 September 1953 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/193692087
See also:
Ann Carr-Boyd, 'Goodman, Moses Isidore (Isador) (1909–1982)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/goodman-moses-isidore-isador-12552/text22595