Violinist Midori, pianist Emanuel Ax, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, responding to an enthusiastic welcome in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Grace Auditorium.

hat happens when you mix three of the world’s most celebrated classical musicians, cuisine prepared by three of New York’s master chefs, and a packed auditorium of supporters of science? Great chemistry, particularly when the musicians are pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Midori, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and the event is a gala to benefit the Watson School of Biological Sciences.

The concert and dinner, held October 5 in Grace Auditorium, were a spectacular success, and raised more than $750,000 for the new Watson School.

“To have three virtuosos agree to donate their time and talent to benefit some of the finest minds in the scientific arena is truly remarkable,” said Bruce Stillman, director of the Laboratory. Further enhancing the all-Mendelssohn musical program was exceptional cuisine, donated by the chefs of three of New York City’s most famous gourmet restaurants—Charlie Palmer of Aureole, Daniel Boulud of Daniel, and Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin. Each of the three restaurants is a member of the prestigious international association of elite hotels and restaurants, Relais and Châteaux, and we were especially honored to have Charlie Palmer here preparing food for the evening. Exquisite wines, generously contributed by Iron Horse Vineyard, stunning displays of flowers by J. Barry Ferguson Flowers Ltd. (in Oyster Bay), and gifts from Tiffany, Estée Lauder, and Sony Classical made the evening a spectacular success for the 350 benefactors who purchased tickets.

Ma and Ax have performed together on many previous occasions, a successful collaboration that was enhanced by the addition of violinist Midori. Midori, now in the second decade of an extraordinary international career, has become one of the most celebrated figures in the music world. She is also the founder of Midori & Friends (The Midori Foundation), established in 1992, whose programs seek to inspire children by bringing music into their everyday lives.

The many-faceted career of cellist Yo-Yo Ma reflects his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences and to his own desire for artistic growth and renewal. He draws inspiration from a wide circle of collaborators, which often produces music that extends beyond the boundaries of a particular genre, classical or otherwise. He is strongly committed to educational programs that bring young audiences into contact with music and allow them to participate in its creation.

Virtuosos Emanuel Ax, Midori, and Yo-Yo Ma confer between songs.

Acclaimed for his poetic lyricism and brilliant technique, pianist Emanuel Ax is one of the world’s best-known and most highly regarded musicians. He and Yo-Yo Ma have made a series of notable recordings together, and as a duo they have won three Grammy awards for the Beethoven and Brahms sonatas for cello and piano.

“We were so excited about this unprecedented event, at which three masters from the world of classical music joined with three master chefs to support Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory,” said Lola N. Grace, treasurer of the Laboratory and a member of its Board of Trustees and the chairman of the gala event. “The combination of exceptional music, world-class cuisine, and the Laboratory’s private setting resulted in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those in attendance.”