Fried
 “I have always considered her one of the major musicians on the violin in our time… In her students, I always see evidence of the best qualities of musical intelligence.”
—Isaac Stern, violinist |
Distinguished Professor
When Miriam Fried picks up her violin—a 1718 Stradivarius—people
listen.
A professor of violin at IU Bloomington’s School of Music since 1986, Fried’s career has led her to all corners of the globe, from guest performances with all of the major orchestras in the U.S. to recital tours across Europe. After nearly 30 years, the performer who New York Magazine called “a world-class violinist” has been able to maintain that perfect balance of teaching and performing that keeps a performer at her peak and keeps a professor in touch with life outside the classroom.
Born in Romania, Fried and her family emigrated to Israel when she was just two. In Tel Aviv, young Miriam had violin lessons with Alice Fenyves and played for Isaac Stern, Nathan Milstein and Yehudi Menuhin, among other well-known violinists. She came to the United States to work with Josef Gingold at IU at the recommendation of Stern.
Since 1993, she has served as chair of the faculty at the Stearns Institute for Young Artists at the Ravina Festival, one of the top summer programs for young musicians. Fried is currently first violinist with the Mendelssohn String Quartet and has recorded the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, along with several other acclaimed recordings.
Fried is widely considered a consummate musician, equally accomplished as recitalist, concerto soloist or chamber musician—not to mention an outstanding teacher. Her colleagues at IU hold her in the highest esteem. Renowned cellist and Distinguished Professor Janos Starker said Fried “is among the most outstanding violinists of her generation.”
There is perhaps no clearer measure of a professor’s effectiveness than the success of her students. Fried’s students have gone on to successful careers as soloists, teachers, concertmasters and members of top symphony orchestras worldwide.
“It is impossible to fully describe the impact Miriam Fried has had on my musical and personal life,” said former student Emily Popham, now pursuing graduate studies at Juilliard. “I first met her while I was still a high school student frustrated with my violin playing. As I began to study with her, my fear turned to awe. . . I had finally found someone who would help me discover exactly the sound I needed to communicate with an audience.”
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