He was born into a family deeply rooted in musical tradition. His mother (née Melodysta) came from a well-known klezmer-playing family, whilst his father was the principal flutist of the Warsaw Opera (he died in the middle of a performance, when Gold was only 2 years old). Gold’s brother was the musician Artur Gold, who perished in Treblinka.
Henryk Gold’s education was undertaken by an uncle from Russia, who sent the child to the Alexander Glazunov Conservatory, and then to classes led by Stanisław Barcewicz at the Warsaw Conservatory. At the age of 17, he played as a violinist in the Warsaw Philharmonic, simultaneously working as an army orchestra conductor. His education and talent opened many doors, ushering him into the career of a true virtuoso.
Gold was also interested in popular music. He started his own band, which performed at some of the most well-known spots in the capital: in the famous Ziemiańska Café, in the Adria night club as well as in the Morskie Oko Theatre. The band and its music became famous around the country, leading to recognition by Karol Szymanowski, one of Poland’s most outstanding 20th-century composers.
Henryk Gold also composed music for waltzes, tangos and foxtrots, as well as songs, including Jaśminy, Nie Odchodź Ode Mnie (Don’t Leave Me), Szkoda Twoich Łez Dziewczyno (Don’t Waste Your Tears, Girl) and Tęsknota (Longing). When WWII broke out, he escaped to the USSR, where together with Jerzy Petersburski, he created a symphonic jazz orchestra. He joined General Anders’ Army and left the USSR with them.
After the war, Henryk Gold found himself in Israel, where he created many songs, including Artsenu ha-ktantonet (Our Tiny Country), Ruach (Wind) and Shalom (Peace). After this he immigrated to the United States, where he spent the rest of his life. He died in 1977.
Source: www.diapozytyw.pl, September 2009