Laurette Goldberg, Musician (1932 - 2005)

Laurette Goldberg's Life and Career in her own words; twenty two hours of lively interviews on CD, in MP3 format.
by Laurette Goldberg

Two Compact Disks with table of contents
$46 plus $4 postage and handling

Excerpts of Laurette's actual words:

"The one thing that I have: I was lucky enough that in 1964, I stopped needing to be ambivalent about things. I accepted the decisions, or choices, or intuitions. I didn't necessarily expect them all to succeed -- and they don't -- but I was prepared to take the risk for anything that I undertook, that had the strength of my whole being behind it."

"The motivation for virtually everything I have ever done has been, first, enthusiasm for the idea or project, like Bach or Baroque music or the role of performance practice or whatever. When I was nine or ten, I noticed that every day had to be justified. Life was kind of a gift or a responsibility, depending on the day. Aliveness was sometimes a burden but something I was very conscious of. There seemed to be the need to acknowledge that a day had passed. I remember on a bus one day, I was looking out the window. I even remember the house I was looking at. I was on my way to school, and I was standing up because the bus was full. I remember this thought came into my head, and it was the first time it had been conscious, that I had to acknowledge each day in some way. It was something I had automatically done, but now it was conscious. I'm always aware that I'm adding to the list."

"For me the consummation of any enthusiasm is always the sharing of it with somebody. Ever since I was a little girl, I was never able to be excited about something and keep it to myself. There is a physical need to share my enthusiasm with other people. Therefore I call that enlightened self-interest because I'm not happy unless I'm finding out about things and sharing it."

"The most important thing is not to allow oneself to say no to one's dreams. Joseph Campbell called it "following your bliss." That's a problem for some people because they don't even allow themselves to have any dreams, even though they might say they are happy. I think the key to a meaningful life, a life that one can say one is grateful to have lived, regardless whatever else happens, comes from acknowledging your strengths and being in touch with what you are passionate about. It's not just what you're capable of -- there are people who are very good at things they don't like -- but to allow yourself, to insist on finding what your passions are. I realize it's not always so simple. Find this out and pursue it, and never say no for lack of money or time. One can find money and time given the inspiration that comes from feeling the passion. I realize this is easier for people who have a talent or skill that society approves of."

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