She need only offer one name: Midori.
The Osaka, Japan-born violin virtuosa made her professional debut in 1982, at the age of 11, with the New York Philharmonic.
The recipient of numerous honors, including the prestigous Avery Fisher prize, Midori is known not only as a dazzling performer but also for her extensive philanthropic work focusing on music education and community orchestras.
This week, Midori comes to Chattanooga as part of her Orchestra Residencies program, through which she visits two small cities each year to conduct workshops with local schools and perform with youth orchestras and their professional partners. According to Chattanooga Symphony & Opera music director Robert Bernhardt, this is the second year the CSO has applied to be a part of the residencies program.
IF YOU GO* What: Chattanooga Symphony & Opera welcomes Midori.* When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Oct. 15, 2 p.m. Oct. 16.* Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.* Admis-sion: $19-$78.* Phone: 267-8583.* Website: chattanooga symphony.org.
“In many ways, it feels like this is a once-in-a-lifetime (opportunity),” said Bernhardt. “She plays with the top orchestras of the world. She’s constantly wanted by orchestras of international fame, because of her incredible ability. And there is a connection to the prodigy that she was.”
Gifted as a child, Midori gives back to today’s youth, fostering music education through programs such as Midori & Friends, which brings music education to underserved New York City children. She will be visiting several local schools during her time here.
“I believe that music gives children a healthy outlet for active collaboration and self-expression, and involvement with arts empowers young people and their families to discover new meanings and goals in their lives,” Midori wrote in an e-mail.
“I am constantly inspired by people whom I meet during my travels and will remain devoted to performing and working with young people in as many cities as I can.”
Midori will perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the CSO on Thursday and Oct. 15, and with the CSO Youth Orchestra on Oct. 16.
“I am always excited to perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto,” she wrote. “A standard staple of the violin repertoire and one of the first major concertos that I learned, I love revisiting this work every time I have the chance.”