Internationally celebrated flautist Ron Korb performed in a special concert on Jan. 27, celebrating the newly expanded Japanese presence at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).
The concert was part of "Japan Night at the ROM" of the ROM Friday Nights series, which allow the public free admission to the museum and special programs. "Japan Night at the ROM" was held in celebration of the official opening of the museum's new Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan, named after the late His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado, who as a student studied at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and had since held a deep affection for Canada.
A gala dinner was held the previous night, with Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado in attendance. In her presence, Mr. Korb had also premiered a piece he had composed for her late husband, especially commissioned by the ROM. For details on the gala opening, please refer to this page.
ROM Foundation President David Palmer (above left) opened the event, expressing his pleasure at the response to the new gallery's opening. Deputy Consul-General of Japan in Toronto Masaaki Takada (right) echoed these sentiments in introducing Mr. Korb. "The new gallery itself is a beautiful sight to behold, displaying some of the items from the ROM's Japanese Collection, which is the largest of its kind in Canada," Mr. Takada said, adding that, like Mr. Korb's concert, "it, too, stands as a symbol of the fruitful and amicable relationship between our countries."
Mr. Korb (below left) has been called the flute shaman, prince of flutes, and flute traveller. Partly of Japanese descent, his music compositions reflect influences from China, Japan, Celtic traditions, the Middle East and Latin America.
