Erica Goodman | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Erica Goodman

Erica Goodman. Harpist, b Toronto 19 Jan 1948.

Goodman, Erica

Erica Goodman. Harpist, b Toronto 19 Jan 1948. She studied piano 1958-62 with Myrtle Guerrero; her harp studies were undertaken with Charles Kleinsteuber 1959-65 at Interlochen, Mich, and at the University of Michigan; 1958-65 with Judy Loman in Toronto; 1966-7 with Carol Baum at the University of California at Los Angeles; and 1967-9 with Marilyn Costello at the Curtis Institute. In 1960 she performed as soloist with the NYO and made her CBC TV debut as accompanist to Teresa Stratas. Goodman was second harp 1962-6 and 1969-73 with the TSO and made her professional solo debut 5 Feb 1969 playing the Mozart Concerto for flute and harp with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Widely recognized as one of Canada's most skilful and versatile musicians, Goodman performs for TV and film soundtracks and also on CBC radio and TV. She appears throughout Canada in concert and recital and at festivals. Among the many artists and ensembles with which she has appeared are the Amadeus Ensemble, Camerata, the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Esprit Orchestra, the Festival Singers, Hyman Goodman, Suzanne Shulman, and Riki Turofsky. With Robert Aitken in 1970 she formed the Aitken-Goodman Duo, which gave many recitals and in 1976 toured with the US group Tashi. The duo continued to perform and to record in 1990. Goodman has also been a member of such chamber groups as the Galliard Ensemble, Trio Toronto, Trio Lyra, and she performs regularly with NMC. She toured eastern Europe as member of Soundstage Canada '81 and appeared at Wigmore Hall in London with the Festival of the Sound in 1986.

Goodman gave the New York premiere of Somers'Suite for Harp and Chamber Orchestra with the NACO 24 Feb 1972 and the premieres of Morawetz'Harp Concerto 23 Apr 1976 in Guelph, Ont, Applebaum's Algoma Central 19 Sep 1976 in Sault Ste Marie, Ont, and Milton Barnes'Divertimento for Harp and String Quartet 8 May 1979 in Toronto. She commissioned and premiered Barnes' Variations for Solo Harp in 1979. Other works that she has premiered are Alexina Louie'sRefuge in 1982, and a commissioned work by the same composer, From the Eastern Gate, in 1987, Bruce Mather'sVouvray in 1987, Marjan Mozetich'sSonata in 1983 and his Song of Nymphs in 1990.

She was the winner of the Mona Bates Award in 1978.

See also Hyman Goodman (her father).

Discography

B. Cherney River of Fire. L. Cherney oboe. 1985. McGill University Records 85026

Erica Goodman in Concert: Barnes Variations for Solo Harp - Britten - Grandjany - Pierné - Rota - Salzedo. 1980. Norstan Records G1305/Truly Fine Records WRC4-5965 (cass)

Flute and Harp: Spohr - Donizetti - Hovhanness - Krumpholz. Aitken fl. 1980. BIS LP 143

Flute and Harp: Robert Aitken and Erica Goodman: Doppler/Zamara - Badings - Naderman/Tulou - Mozetich Sonata. 1985. BIS LP 320/CD 320

Jeux à Deux. Aitken fl. 1982. Marquis ERA 101

Krumpholz - Lasala - Lauber - Inghelbrecht. Aitken fl. 1971. CBC SM-156

Mozart Concerto K299. Cram fl, NACO, Bernardi conductor. 1974. CBC SM-262

Soprano Saxophone and Harp. Brodie saxophone. 1987. Truly Fine Records TF 020/CD 020

The Virtuoso Harp: Flagello - Fauré - Dussek - Tournier - Salzedo - Prokofiev. 1985. BIS LP-319/CD 319

Further Reading