There are 61 years of musicianship tucked between Marvin Goldstein’s ivory keys. The internationally renowned pianist turned 70 years old at the start of the month.

As he enters a new decade of composing and performing, he feels he is hitting his stride as he endeavors to deliver positive, uplifting music experiences.  

Though COVID-19 has put a pause on traveling, Goldstein allows music to transport him back to past concerts, family gatherings and childhood memories every evening. He’s a firm believer in music’s medicinal qualities after witnessing it unlock minds in Alzheimer’s patients and bring together music-makers from every nationality on stages across the world.   

“What’s needed now is anything that can inoculate us from bias, disease, and evil, and a musician can offer that just as a doctor can offer medicine,” says Goldstein. “The only thing the audience has to do is to participate by listening without distractions. Most people have no idea what music can do if they would just sit in the evenings, listen and feel.” 

Goldstein will provide an opportunity for deep listening during his Facebook Live Peace Concert on Monday, June 15 at 8 p.m. For the virtual performance, he hopes to be joined by special guest and vocalist Vanessa Joy. 

The performance is an extension of his mission to bridge cultural, religious and political differences between people through music. He was able to accomplish such a feat during a three-week tour in Israel where he brought together Arabic, Israeli and American jazz vocalists. 

“We’re having a peace conference through collaboration and music,” says Goldstein. “We feel each other’s musical abilities and interact in a conversation that is very rewarding, and the audience notices and feels this.”

Goldstein’s first melodic conversation was through an accordion. He’ll never forget walking into his hometown bank and asking his mother to place his name in a box that advertised free lessons. 

Six months later, he performed in his first ensemble concert at school. Goldstein asked for piano lessons next after calculating that the keys and buttons he had become adept at playing on the accordion would translate well. One day, a truck pulled up to his house delivering a Baldwin piano. Goldstein was shocked by the gift from his two uncles, which helped bolster his confidence to continue playing. 

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