|
|
|
|
Midori Most eleven year old girls are in fifth grade. They’re usually concerned with their friends and a newfound interest in boys. Most eleven year old girls are not thinking about a career. Midori Goto, however, was not your average eleven year old girl. At the tender age of eleven, she debuted as the guest violin soloist during a New York Philharmonic concert. Clearly, Midori was what is often referred to as a “child prodigy.” The problem is that many people still perceive her as such. Yet, Midori has matured both physically and musically. Unlike many child stars that fade away before they reach puberty, Midori successfully developed in the public eye and continues to help advance the field of music. Midori was born on October 25, 1971, in Osaka, Japan. Like most child prodigies, she was introduced to her future field of expertise at a very young age. For Midori, this field was the violin. Her mother, Setsu Goto, was a professional violinist, but Setsu never pressured her daughter to play. Midori, in fact, enjoyed listening to her mother play the violin and had a desire to play, herself. Therefore, when Midori was only four years old, her grandmother gave her a miniature violin on which she could practice. Midori practiced every day. Her mother gave her lessons and would listen to Midori play while she cooked in the kitchen or did other household chores. In this way, Midori memorized difficult pieces by famous composers such as Bach and Paganini. With such impressive works perfected and in her repertoire, Midori was able to perform in front of an audience. Her first public performance came at the age of seven when she performed a Paganini Caprice in Osaka. Soon after this first concert, a family friend from the United States heard Midori play and was so impressed that he insisted on recording her. The recording, which consisted of Paganini’s Concerto No. 1, a Paganini Caprice, a Bach solo sonata, the Saint Saëns Third Concerto, and barking from the family dogs, was sent to Dorothy DeLay, the famous American violin teacher. DeLay was so impressed that she invited Midori to come to the Aspen Summer Music School and Festival in 1981. For Midori’s audition piece for the summer school, she played the incredibly difficult Bach Chaconne. Needless to say, she was accepted. After her first summer at the Aspen Summer Music School and Festival, Midori and her mother moved to New York City where Midori attended the renowned Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, Midori auditioned for the New York Philharmonic. The conductor, Zubin Mehta, was so impressed that he asked Midori to perform as a surprise guest soloist during a New Year’s Eve concert. Consequently, on December 31, 1982, at the age of seven, Midori Goto surprised the world in concert and was officially labeled a child prodigy. In the years to come, Midori made successful debuts throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan and experienced worldwide fame. Yet, in spite of this, a streak of teenage rebellion almost ended Midori’s career. When Midori was fifteen, she left the Juilliard School with no explanation. She could have suffered the same fate that many child stars do and fade into oblivion. Luckily, however, Midori’s love of music prevented her from putting down her violin. She continued to perform, even after leaving Juilliard, and made sure that every concert was a learning and growing experience. It is obvious today that Midori has grown from a child prodigy into an adult artist. Even though she is only 31, her list of awards and honors impresses even the most detracting critics. More impressing than anything, however, is her passion for music. In 1991, Midori created the Midori Foundation. The foundation’s sole purpose is to provide music education to children who would not normally have a chance to experience it. Midori holds lectures and concerts in inner-city schools, raises money for music programs, and always, always promotes music. In this way, she changes the lives of both adults and children. Clearly, Midori is not your typical child prodigy. She’s not even your typical incredibly talented classical musician. The eleven year old girl with the tiny violin did a lot more than just surprise the world. It is true that she was a child prodigy: a little girl from Japan with great talent. She will never be forgotten. Yet, most importantly, Midori’s contributions as an adult will never be forgotten, for she is a woman dedicated to music, and she is worth remembering.
|
