Violinist Midori, pianist Robert McDonald to appear at University Auditorium

March 5, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In 1982, Zubin Mehta, then music director of the New York Philharmonic, heard Midori play. Mehta was so impressed by the young violinist that he invited her to appear as a surprise guest soloist at the Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert. At the end of her performance, the 11-year-old Midori received a standing ovation and a musical star was born.

Since that auspicious beginning, Midori has continued to astound the classical music loving public with her virtuoso playing. She has earned much acclaim and several awards, including the coveted Avery Fisher Prize in 2001. But what is, perhaps, most remarkable about this violinist is her passionate commitment to music education. Midori has founded five nonprofit organizations all with the mission of promoting classical music.

Besides her touring schedule and her work with nonprofit organizations, Midori also teaches at the Manhattan School of Music and performs regularly in the U.S.

Pianist Robert McDonald has appeared across the United States and around the world as both a soloist and a recital partner to Midori, the late Isaac Stern and many others. McDonald has performed with a number of symphonies including San Francisco, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Omaha. He also has performed with the Orquestra Sinfonica Nacional in Costa Rica and with the Orchestra Sinfonica Haydn di Bolzano e Trento in Italy. An active chamber musician, he has played with a number of string quartets including the Takács, Brentano, Orlando and Chicago quartets, as well as with Musicians from Marlboro.

Midori and McDonald will perform at 4 p.m. March 18 at the University Auditorium on the University of Florida campus.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-2787 or 800-905-2787 or by calling Ticketmaster at 904-353-3309. Orders may be faxed to 352-846-1562. Tickets are also available at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Student Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and on the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Phillips Center Box Office is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and two hours before performances.