One work with which Midori has long been associated is Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s ‘Symposium’).

In 1986, at the age of 14, Midori performed the Serenade with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, the orchestra’s summer home, under the baton of the composer.

During the course of the performance, the E-string on her ¾-size violin snapped. The concertmaster handed Midori his full-size violin, which she played until a string on that broke as well. The associate concertmaster had passed his violin to the concertmaster, who then handed Midori that violin and she continued to play. She never missed a note. It was an astonishing feat of professionalism and display of calm in a fraught situation. The story hit the front page of The New York Times the following day with the headline “GIRL,14, CONQUERS TANGLEWOOD WITH THREE VIOLINS”.

Since then, Midori has played the Serenade numerous times. Most recently, in the Kölner Philharmonie, her performance with the WDR Sinfonieorchester under Constantinos Carydis was recorded and can be viewed here.

The mission of the podcast Speaking Soundly is to offer a window into the soul of today’s premier professional performing artists, to show the process and personal journey of great artists seeking connection, beauty, and spirituality through music.

Speaking Soundly is hosted by Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra David Krauss.

Midori is this week’s guest on Speaking Soundly.
To listen to the podcast, click below, as appropriate.

Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/cmoE7
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/kryCV

In 2015, 193 countries came together with the UN to agree on a shared plan of action to bring greater peace & prosperity to all people and our planet. Known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), world leaders set a deadline for implementing the SDGs by 2030.

This year -2023- marks the halfway point toward realizing the SDGs by 2030. Yet the SDGs are at grave risk. Climate disasters, gender disparity, economic downturn, and lingering effects of a global pandemic, for example, threaten our chance for a better world.

The good news? The SDGs are still our roadmap out of crisis. When these same leaders, and their successors, arrive at the SDG Summit, this September in New York City, we must remind them of their commitment. At the halfway point, it’s a moment we cannot afford to lose.

Midori has joined with a Circle of Supporters, including her fellow UN Messengers of Peace HRH Princess Haya, Daniel Barenboim, Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Yo-Yo Ma and Charlize Theron, to issue a rallying cry for our future and to galvanize their communities to take individual action on the SDGs, re-energize public debate, and impress on governments the urgency to Act Now.

“As a Messenger of Peace, Midori continues to inspire young people through music education to build a sense of community and help advance SDG 4 to provide quality education for all, driven by the vision that music can make the world a better place and improve the human experience.”

What are the SDGs?

Ravinia has announced the appointment of esteemed violinist Midori as the Artistic Director of Ravinia Steans Music Institute’s Piano & Strings program, effective this fall to begin overseeing the 2024 summer season. Midori will succeed the acclaimed violinist Miriam Fried, who has held that position since 1994, following the tenures of the late Robert Mann (1988) and Walter Levin (1989–93).

About the new appointment, Midori said, “I am very much looking forward to being involved in RSMI in this new capacity. Working with young musicians has been central to my career, and this program is one of the most important of its kind in the music field. It has been led for the last 30 years by Miriam Fried, and I am honored to inherit her remarkable legacy as I lead the program forward in the coming years.”

As the Piano & Strings Artistic Director, Midori will lead young professional violinists, violists, cellists, pianists, and members of pre-existing chamber groups through immersive and intensive rehearsals and coachings with a rotating roster of some of the world’s finest teaching artists, including herself. The Program for Piano & Strings concentrates on interpretation and small-group collaboration through the practice and performance of classical sonata and chamber repertoire. The 2024 program takes place June 23 through July 24.

Working in close partnership with the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Midori will strive to find new ways of engaging and advancing young professional musicians who view their experience at Ravinia as a critical part of their professional music careers as performers, educators, and artistic leaders.

Commenting on the next chapter of the renowned Piano & Strings Program, RSMI Director Alejandra Valarino Boyer said, “Midori’s renowned artistry and commitment to music education make her an excellent choice to lead the Piano & Strings Program. Her experiences as a performer, educator, and arts advocate will build on the legacy established by Miriam Fried to guide and mentor the next wave of classical musicians. We’re honored to have her join the Ravinia and Steans Music Institute team.”

Midori’s appointment comes as Fried prepares to welcome the 2023 cohort of Piano & Strings Program fellows for their June 19 – July 22 residency, Fried’s 30th and final season as director of the program. During her tenure, Fried trained numerous program alumni who have gone on to distinguished, often award-winning, careers and credit the Steans Music Institute and Fried as integral parts of their training and success.

“I would like to add my warmest welcome to Midori. In addition to her artistry, wisdom, and integrity, she brings her unending passion for music and the education of young people. The Steans Institute will be in wonderful hands,” Fried said.

Find out more about the Ravinia Steans Music Institute’s Program for Piano and Strings

Midori’s latest International Orchestra Residencies Program (ORP) took place in Braga, Portugal in collaboration with the Conservatory Calouste Gulbenkian in late February and early March 2023.

Since 2022, the Conservatory has provided a home for the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), whose students and faculty were evacuated after the Taliban assumed power in 2021.  The Taliban forbade non-religious music making in the country, took over the ANIM school and destroyed the music students’ instruments.

On March 5^th, following two intense weeks of working with Midori, students from both the Conservatory and the Afghan Youth Orchestra took part in a concert.

The moving documentary “Symphony of Courage” tells the story of ANIM and of how its students and faculty were able to evacuate the country to continue their music education and to perform their music in an open society.

Read the UN Information Centre article UN Messenger of Peace: Midori’s artistic residency in Portugal with Afghan students and watch the interview with Midori about this project.

Read a feature article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Leading Violinist Midori works with Young Musicians from Afghanistan (in German).