Szymon Goldberg (1909-1993) was a Polish-born Jewish violinist and conductor who experienced two world wars, and lived through the turbulent 20th century until his death in Toyama（1909－1993）. This exhibition features works of art from Goldberg's collection, which were donated by his wife Miyoko in 2006.

Goldberg and Spain (1)
The Pablo Casals Festival of Prades

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of cellist Pablo Casals (1876–1973), who shared a close connection with Szymon Goldberg. To commemorate the occasion, we are pleased to present a three-part series centered on Casals' homeland of Spain, featuring select works of art from Goldberg's personal collection, now housed at The Music Research Center at Tokyo University of the Arts.
The first installment focuses on the Pablo Casals Festival. Opposed to fascism and the Franco regime, Casals withdrew in 1939 to the small French village of Prades, near the Spanish border, refusing to perform in public. In 1950, however, his friend, violinist Alexander Schneider (1908–1993), persuaded him to hold a festival in Prades to commemorate the 200th anniversary of J. S. Bach's death, marking the beginning of the Pablo Casals Festival. Goldberg made his festival debut in 1954, performing Beethoven’s Piano Trios with Casals and pianist Rudolf Serkin (1903–1991). It is said that he walked each day from an inn in a mountain village about seven kilometers away to Prades. When Casals remarked, “I hear you're fond of mountain climbing,” Goldberg replied, “No, the only thing I climb at speed is the fingerboard.” With characteristic wit, Casals responded, “That's a dangerous climb as well.” (From Giant of the Twentieth Century: Szymon Goldberg, by Miyoko Yamane)
As you admire the artworks from Goldberg's treasured personal collection, generously bequeathed to the museum, we invite you to trace the friendships shared among some of the twentieth century's greatest musicians.