Syd Goldsmith

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About this artist

After studying with Julius Baker and free-lancing in New York, Syd Goldsmith took off with flute in hand to make a career in the Foreign Service. When Syd wasn’t performing during his first assignment in Hong Kong, he was reporting on the Cultural Revolution riots and studying Cantonese. Music and diplomacy were a magnificent mix throughout his Foreign Service career. His diplomatic assignments were always interspersed with chamber music and solo performances worldwide.
Much of this international adventure was as the flutist of Five Hundred Years of Romance, a duo with classical guitarist Lisa Hurlong that performed in more than twenty countries and recorded for Klavier Records. Goldsmith was also the founder of two East-West Chamber Ensembles in Taiwan, and another in Venezuela.
Syd has enjoyed multiple careers, following his passion for music through his stints as a diplomat, management consultant in greater China, entrepreneur, author and university professor in Taiwan. He sees his life as a series of survivals.
As with any life, wonderful stories can emerge from the magic mix of experience and imagination. His first novel, “Jade Phoenix,” was a finalist in two international competitions. The second novel, “Two Musicians and the Wife Who Isn’t,” is very much about the aspirations and passions of its fictitious musicians.
This track is part of Flute Flight, a recording of works by 20th century composers, rare and well done. They should be heard more often
Syd lives in Taipei, Taiwan with his wife Hsiu-chen and their two children.