Midori Concert With NMSO Forceful, Ethereal
By D.S. CRAFTS

Midori, as well as the NMSO [New Mexico Symphony Orchestra] under [Guillermo] Figueroa, makes a persuasive case for the [Britten Violin Concerto] with this carefully executed reading. There was bounding energy galore as well as a solo cadenza in the middle of the piece that Midori highlighted gloriously with visceral double stops and glowing pianissimos. Forceful yet ethereal, her playing coupled elegant lyricism with vigor and contrast, all delineated with razor-sharp articulation.

Midori's admirable commitment to young musicians is well-known, and Friday night at Popejoy Hall she generously shared the stage with members of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony to play the Double Violin Concerto by Bach....

...As an extra bonus Midori appeared once again to play the Finale movement of the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the staples of the concerto literature. Amir Kats led the Albuquerque Youth Symphony with gusto, fully rising to the occasion of performing with this legendary soloist.