Top-class violinist adds more strings to her bow

"I have experienced how necessary targeted support is, especially during my starting years. I want to do the same thing for young soloists, giving them support according to their individual needs," she says.

One of the first soloists who she offered support to was violinist Lu Wei, who later got the opportunity to study in Germany with Mutter.

"Before giving him musical training, I took him to see the forest, the mountain and many other places in Europe, helping him to get an idea about the places where classical music exists for a very long time," says Mutter. "It's important to know the culture, the people and the language before you interpret the music."

She also has launched a music ensemble by gathering those talented soloists from around the world to play chamber music and to introduce them to the life of a professional musician while simultaneously introducing them to a broad audience. Now the ensemble has about 25 soloists.

As a child prodigy, Mutter made her professional debut with conductor Herbert von Karajan, who became an early mentor, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, when she was 13. Since then, she has sustained an exceptional career, appearing in all the major concert halls of Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

In December, Mutter rounded off the musical celebrations for her 60th birthday with a special concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.