Edward J Gold obit

Edward J Gold

Jul 25, 1936 — Mar 2, 202

 

He was not on the list.

We sadly announce the passing of Edward J. Gold, 85, of New York, NY.  Edward left us on March 02, 2022, after a long battle with dementia.

Edward was born to Ben and Sylvia Gold on July 25, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY.  As a child, Edward lived in the Coney Island and Brighton Beach sections of Brooklyn.  He graduated from CCNY with a BA degree, and went on to attend the Yale School of Music, pursuing a Master's.  Edward’s biggest passion in life was the piano and musical composition.  At various times, he studied under Elise Braun, Nadia Reisenberg, Mel Powell, H. Leroy Baumgartner and Ellsworth Grumman.  In particular, Edward felt that Mel Powell at Yale was a great mentor to him.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Edward gave numerous concerts in the NYC area, as well as back at Yale in Connecticut.  In 1963, he played a piano recital tour of Mexico.  The Mexican children he encountered were fascinated by his frizzy hair and enjoyed touching it.  Edward played a recital of music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1994.  He published four vinyl record albums in the 1970s.

When Edward wasn’t playing the piano or composing, he could be found working out and socializing at the West Side YMCA on W. 63rd St, where he had many friends.  He was a member of the Delian Society, an organization dedicated to promoting tonality in music, contrary to his atonal leanings as a young man.

In his later years, Edward composed exclusively using MIDI software.  A devotee of Sir Edward Elgar, he “midified” or sequenced a number of the master’s pieces.  He did likewise for some compositions of Brahms, Schumann and Liszt.  Some of these works are available at ClassicalArchives.com.  Edward Gold's Symphony #1, Idylls Of The King: Merlin, created in collaboration with friend, thespian and voice actor Duane Mazey, may be viewed on YouTube.  Edward’s Nocturne in Classical Style is also available on that website.

Edward was a very independent person, and composed music that he liked, despite its modest popularity.  Accruing wealth was never his goal.  Family and friends will remember Edward for his wry and sometimes caustic sense of humor, and his no-nonsense attitude.

Edward Gold leaves behind three nephews and a niece.