Academic inheritance(13)
Person of Merit for Holding International Music Festivals in Kyushu
Isaac Stern was an Ukrainian born violinist who emigrated to the United States at the age of 1 and studied the violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music from age 8.
Soon after World War II ended, he began coming to Japan frequently and became friendly with Japanese musicians including Ozawa Seiji. He became the first music director of the Miyazaki International Music Festival, which began in 1996.
In 1997, the Japanese government conferred on him the Third Rank of The Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of his high degree of artistry and passion for educating the next generation. In 2002, Miyazaki Prefecture awarded him the Prefectural Citizens’ Honor Award.
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Medikit Arts Center Isaac Stern Hall
Medikit Arts Center’s (Miyazaki Prefectural Arts Theater) concert hall was renamed Isaac Stern Hall in praise of Stern’s meritorious service at the Miyazaki International Music Festival.
Location: 3-210 Funatsuka, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki
PH: 0985-28-3228 (Miyazaki Prefectural Art Theater)
Website: Medikit Arts Center (Japanese Only)
http://www.miyazaki-ac.jp/
Closed: Mondays (There may be an unscheduled closure.)
Transportation: 1 min walk from “Bunka Koen-mae” bus stop, or 5 min walk from “Miyazaki Jingu” bus stop
Approx. 10 min from JR Miyazaki Station by car
Approx. 15 min from Higashi-Kyushu Expressway Miyazaki-nishi Interchange
Parking: Unavailable (Miyazaki Prefecture General Culture Park Parking Lot is available for free)