Pam Goldberg

PIANIST. TEACHER. INNOVATOR.


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Pam Goldberg is a true pioneer in the way we listen to live classical music today. She is a concert pianist who felt passionately about the way people were experiencing the typical classical music concert. With an emphasis on presentation & location Pam has been a forerunner in the alt-space classical music movement.

Just Released


PAM GOLDBERG

FRANZ SCHUBERT

(1797-1828)

IMPROMPTU IN B-FLAT MAJOR, OP.142, NO.3 (D.935)

PIANO SONATA IN A MAJOR, D.959

  1. Allegro
  2. Andantino
  3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
  4. Rondo. Allegretto

FRANZ SCHUBERT

Arranged by FRANZ LISZT (1811-1886)

STÄNDCHEN (from Schwanengesang, D.957)

‘‘This all-late Schubert recital from 2017 stands as one of those affectionate demonstrations of a gifted pianist, Pam Goldberg, a pupil of chamber music veteran Joseph Kalichstein. By now, Ms. Goldberg’s program has become quite familiar, so we judge her by her easy finesse and realization of Schubert’s especial style. The B-flat Major Impromptu that opens the program, built as a theme-and-variations, offers Goldberg a panoply of …’’

Audiophile Audition Keep Reading

‘‘Pam Goldberg is greatly admired in the New York City area for what the biography in the program book calls her “entrepreneurial pursuits”-in particular, her founding of Classical Café and the Rite of Summer Music Festival, both aimed at expanding audiences by presenting classical music in new venues. As we’re reminded by this release -her third CD, although the first to be reviewed in Fanfare-she’s a first-rate pianist as well.’’

Fanfare Magazine Keep Reading

‘‘You may have the impression Pam Goldberg is playing Schubert on her piano just for you, as I did, when you listen to her lovely, forthright unembellished rendering of his compositions on her MSR Classics album. Her unpretentious, not ostentatious, score-perfect style results in a beautifully recorded, even-toned listening experience as she cruises though “Impromptu in in B-Flat Major,” “Piano Sonata in A Major” and Schubert’s Standchen arranged by Liszt.’’

Cherry Grove Music Review Keep Reading

‘’An enjoyable program of piano music by SCHUBERT – and by Schubert transformed by Liszt – in convincing performances by Pam Goldberg. The pianist’s way with the music is rooted in honesty and precision, but also in the warmth of a romantic spirit. The experience of hearing Goldberg’s pianism leaves one wanting to hear more from her.’’

MSR Classics

‘’Think of the piano as an aural palette, comparable to the color palette used by painters, and you will have some idea of what pianists often look for in assembling recitals, whether in-person or recorded. The music itself takes center stage on an MSR Classics CD focusing on Schubert as interpreted by Pam Goldberg…’’

InfoDad Keep Reading

‘’I’ve been putting off reviewing Pam Goldberg’s performance of Schubert’s Sonata in A Major, D959 (MSR Classics). This sonata, composed at the end of Schubert’s exasperatingly short life, demands everything from the listener and at least as much from the performer. In a world swimming in light music, this is a work of weight, substance and complexity. It is hard work to listen to. It ruthlessly grabs and demands our attention, and we yield because it is also beautiful and perhaps even perfect. My lazy self did not want to become entrapped…’’

Concerto Net Keep Reading

“Goldberg brings the energy and valiance of playing before live audiences to these recordings…In these renditions of music by Schubert, and by Schubert as re-imagined by Franz Liszt, our soloist shows herself to be an artist with great musical intellect, but also a warmth of spirit.”

Amber Wingler

“Pam Goldberg’s excellent new Schubert release…Standchen is beautifully interpreted.”

-Jed Distler, "Between the Keys" on WWFM-The Classical Network

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Life isn’t about finding
yourself.
Life is about creating
yourself.”

- George Bernard Shaw

Pam's Bio


Pam Goldberg is a concert pianist, entrepreneur and teacher. Described by the New York Times as “a fine pianist” she has performed on many of New York’s preeminent stages and institutions including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, The NY Historical Society, Museum of Jewish Heritage,The Jewish Museum, and TENRI Cultural Institute. Her closest mentors are Miyoko Lotto, Stephanie Brown and the late Joseph Kalichstein. She studied with Dr. Arkady Aronov at Manhattan School of Music where she received her Masters Degree.

Acknowledged by many to have created the blueprint for venues like Le Poisson Rouge and SubCulture, Pam created a unique environment for both performer and audience – distinctly different from the traditional concert halls. In 2000, she founded Classical Cafe, a not-for-profit concert series under the auspices of the 92nd Street Y that took place in a jazz club setting on the upper west side. The results were highly encouraging and led to a focus on an even larger audience base with Governors Island becoming the perfect venue. The Rite of Summer Music Festival, had its inaugural concert in July of 2011 and continued for 12 years.  ROS presented outdoor contemporary/classical concerts, all free to the public and enjoyed by thousands of music lovers from NYC’s five boroughs and beyond. All innovative and some ground-breaking including a concert of John Luther Adams’ “Inuksuit” with 73 percussionists spread out on The Hills of Governors Island. Other performers included: The Knights, Bang on a Can All-Stars, JACK Quartet, Alarm Will Sound, New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers, Jeffrey Ziegler, Curtis Stewart, and Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect. ROS concluded its run on Governors Island in September of 2023.

In the Fall of 2023, Pam became the Artistic Director of a new classical music series at DOROT. This Spring there will be three more concerts – the Fadolin Trio, Father/son duo Blair McMillen & Conor McMillen, and then in May, Pam will perform along with her colleague Jackie Schiller-Audi.

In addition to her entrepreneurial skills and concertizing, Pam teaches privately, both adults and children. She also served on the piano faculty of the Diller-Quaile School of Music for 10 years. Pam is currently completing the first of a two-year Suzuki teacher training at the School for Strings in Manhattan.

Featured Press

The Rite of Summer Music Festival on Governors Island was founded in 2011 by pianists Pam Goldberg & Blair McMillen. Rite of Summer featured free outdoor concerts of classical and cutting-edge contemporary music, performed by many of New York’s best-known soloists and ensembles.

The Rite of Summer Music Festival on Governors Island was founded in 2011 by pianists Pam Goldberg & Blair McMillen
Pam Goldberg, Esther Noh, Caitlin Sullivan and Allison Charney at Rite of Summer 2014

About Rite of Summer


These musicians, all of whom performed on some of the world’s most prestigious concert stages, were excited about reaching a younger and more eclectic audience base on Governors Island. The festival’s “concert hall” was Nolan Park – a huge shaded grassy field where listeners were encouraged to sprawl out on blankets, picnic, and take in the great outdoors. Audiences of all ages were captivated by the series, the setting, the music, and the full Governors Island experience.