Collection: MAX GOBERMAN & THE NEW YORK SINFONIETTA: THE MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS

Max Goberman was a highly respected American conductor, known for his versatility across Broadway, ballet, and classical repertoire, particularly his ambitious recording projects of Haydn and Vivaldi. Born in Philadelphia, he initially trained as a violinist at the Curtis Institute of Music before turning his focus to conducting.

Goberman quickly established himself as a leading conductor on Broadway during its "Golden Age." He led the original productions of landmark musicals such as Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story (sharing duties initially) and On the Town, Kurt Weill's Lost in the Stars, and Marc Blitzstein's Regina. His precise baton technique and deep understanding of theatrical pacing earned him acclaim from composers and critics alike, bringing musical integrity and polish to the orchestra pit. He also gained significant experience conducting for ballet companies, including the American Ballet Theatre.

Beyond the theatre, Goberman harbored a passion for classical music, particularly the works of Joseph Haydn and Antonio Vivaldi. In the late 1950s, he founded the Library of Recorded Masterpieces and embarked on a groundbreaking project to record the complete Haydn symphonies using scholarly editions and often employing smaller orchestral forces appropriate for the era. He simultaneously undertook a similar large-scale Vivaldi recording project.

Tragically, Goberman died suddenly at age 51 in Vienna while researching scores for his Haydn project, leaving both series incomplete. Despite his shortened career, Max Goberman is remembered for his meticulous musicianship, his vital contributions to American musical theatre, and his pioneering, historically-conscious approach to recording classical masterworks.