We're reeling from some tragic news that's just reached us. Our friend Jonathan Goldstein has died in a plane accident, alongside his wife and their baby daughter. Others can vouch for what Jonathan achieved in the professional realm, and we have no doubt that he was an extremely fine composer. The success of the company he built is testament to this. But our focus today is not on the music he composed, the company he built, or any of his business relationships. This is a very human tragedy and we're thinking about Jonathan – the man we knew – as well as his wife Hannah and their baby daughter.
At a time like this, there's a tendency to amplify the goodness of those who are gone, and any tribute can read as though it has been filtered through a rose tinted prism. But sometimes such an account is accurate and – based on our experience – that's very much the case with Jonathan. Having spent a fair bit of time with him over the past few months, we can truthfully paint a picture of a man of uncommon decency. He was the epitome of kindness and generosity, always calm and gentle with a delightful self-deprecating sense of humour.
A father for the first time, he doted on his family, even bringing his baby daughter to one of the recording sessions which we worked with him on. The sight of him holding up his end of the discussion while comforting his young daughter is one that sums him up beautifully. It is unbearably sad to know that his beloved wife and their treasured daughter were also aboard the plane when it crashed. There is no comfort to be drawn from knowing that they were together. There is nothing but tragedy.
This news is very raw, and we are struggling to come to terms with it. We hesitated before deciding to write something in the immediate aftermath, but the story is breaking in the national press, and it seems likely that some of Jonathan's friends and work acquaintances will learn about what has happened by seeing something online. We decided that it might be slightly better if they instead saw words written by someone who knew him and his family.
It's far too early to know what kind of funeral service, or other tribute will be organised. We will update you when we have further information.
We feel sure that everyone who knew Jonathan – and many who did not – will be hugely affected by this story. It is a time to come together, and comfort one another.
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