Midori, perhaps, perhaps has one of the best Leonard Bernstein stories of all time. In happened in 1986 at Tanglewood when she was performing Bernstein's "Serenade," conducted by Bernstein. During the performance, she broke the E string on her violin, then again on the concertmaster's Stradivarius after she borrowed it. She finished the performance with the associate concertmaster's instrument and received a standing ovation. The next day The New York Times front page carried the headline, "Girl, 14, Conquers Tanglewood with 3 Violins"
Midori has maintained an international presence for almost three decades, first as a performer, and increasingly as a musical community engagement advocate, and educator.
Tanglewood's season-long Bernstein centennial celebration will culminate in a gala concert on Bernstein's actual 100th birthday, August 25th featuring Midori playing Serenade - conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.
