Master’s Room (1)
A Glimpse into Other Cultures: Asia & Oceania Edition
This year, together with our Goldberg Collection, we will introduce, over three installments, a selection of treasured items once owned by Goldberg, now housed at The Center for Music Research at Tokyo University of the Arts. In each part, we will focus on the objects that he kept close and cherished throughout his life. The first segment highlights relics from the Asia and Oceania region. These include masks and puppet heads used in traditional dramas from Java and Bali, wooden statues believed to have been made for religious purposes, and ceremonial objects from Papua New Guinea. These collected items offer clear evidence of Goldberg’s deep fascination with the cultures of this region. Goldberg’s connection to Asia and Oceania dates back to World War II. After leaving Europe, where the Nazi regime was rising, he spent time on Java while traveling toward America for concert tours, where he was taken prisoner by the Japanese army. He spent nearly three years in internment, only regaining his freedom at the end of the war. After his release, Goldberg stayed for a while in Australia. This was before Sydney’s famous Opera House had been built. He toured and performed across Australia and neighboring countries, eagerly exploring the music and culture of each new place he visited. Judging from photographs of his home, Goldberg continued to treasure and display these objects throughout his later years, keeping them close as lasting reminders of his passion and curiosity.