INTERVIEW
When and where was your first concert with the MCO?
I will never forget it because I had waited so long for it, having heard numerous concerts and admired the MCO as a student, that when it finally happened and I got the call, I was elated and couldn’t get the smile off my face for the whole day. Not only did I get to play, but I had the pleasure of coaching the Academy students in Dortmund, in a beautiful program - Schubert the “Great” Symphony and Berg 7 songs. Perfect kickstart.
What’s the best thing about playing with the MCO?
The people, no doubt. Alongside the music making at the highest level, essentially that’s what makes it unique, in my view.
What do you need to feel at home whilst on tour?
A good book and my yoga mat.
If you could play another instrument, what would it be?
I’ve always dreamt of singing…not necessarily classical music ;)
The first piece of music you fell in love with?
The 6 Bach Suites, played by my father daily on the..wait for it…double bass!
BIOGRAPHY
Italian-born violist Shira Majoni was awarded the 2021 Villa Musica Stern prize in Germany and the Top and Special Prizes at the 2013 Aviv Competition in Tel Aviv.
She has participated in the Caramoor Rising Stars program, Ravinia and Jerusalem Music Festivals and IMS Prussia Cove where she collaborated with artists such as Kim Kashkashian, Miriam Fried, Pamela Frank, and Ralph Kirshbaum amongst others. As a soloist, she performed with the Jerusalem Camerata and Lviv orchestras.
As a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under Daniel Barenboim she performed at the Proms in London, the Salzburg and Lucerne Festivals, and recorded the entire Beethoven Symphonies Cycle for Decca. From May 2019 until August 2020, Shira was a member of the Munich Philharmonic and for the 21/22 season of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. As of October 2022 she is an Associate Member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Additional performances this season include tours as Guest Principal viola of the Budapest Festival Orchestra and appearances at the Tel Aviv University chamber music series.
Shira holds a Bachelor's degree from Tel Aviv University, a Master's degree from the New England Conservatory and an Artist Diploma from the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin.