David Golub; Versatile Pianist

Pianist David Golub, a member of the highly regarded Golub-Kaplan-Carr Trio, died Monday at his home in Milan. He was 50.

The cause of his death was lung cancer, according to Nancy Shear, his press representative.

Golub was also widely known through his appearance as Isaac Stern’s accompanist in the 1979 film, “From Mao to Mozart,” which won the 1980 Academy Award for best documentary.

Born in Chicago in 1950, Golub grew up in Dallas, where he began his piano studies. He was admitted to the pre-college division of the Juilliard School when he was 14, but decided to continue his studies in Dallas, entering Juilliard when he was 18.

During his second year at the New York school, however, he decided to take a six-month break to restudy his technique. His teacher, Beveridge Webster, was a specialist in French repertory, but Golub’s interests had shifted to the more dramatic playing typical of the Russian romantic school.

He began conducting during summer breaks at Vermont’s Marlboro Festival, where he also played chamber music and accompanied students of cellist Leonard Rose.

Golub would go on to accompany Rose for three years in the early 1970s, and Rose recommended him to Stern for the China trip.

In 1982, Golub formed a trio with violinist Mark Kaplan and cellist Colin Carr. Typical of critics’ response to their playing was Times music writer Daniel Cariaga’s description of them as a “wonder-making ensemble” after a performance last year at UCLA.

Golub conducted the Padua Chamber Orchestra for the 1994-95 season and took it on tour in the United States in 1999. Golub was also an artist member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

His funeral was held Thursday at the Basilica of San Simpliciano in Milan.

Golub is survived by his wife, Maria Majno, and his parents, Benjamin and Sima Golub of San Diego.