Itzhak Perlman, A Citizen of the World, With His Violin as a Passport
01/10/2011 00:00:00
Itzhak Perlman was born in Tel Aviv, in what was then Palestine, in nineteen forty-five. Today he lives in New York City. But his music has made him acitizenof the world. He has played inalmosteverymajorcity.
He has won many Grammy awards for his recordings. He has also won Emmy awards for his work on television.
Itzhak Perlmansufferedfrompolioat the age of four. The diseasedamagedhis legs. He uses awheelchairor walks with theaidofcrutcheson his arms.
But none of this stopped him from playing the violin. He began as a young child. He took his first lessons at the Music Academy of Tel Aviv. Very quickly, his teachers recognized that he had aspecialgift.
At thirteen he went to the United Sates toappearon television. His playingearnedhim the financial aid toattendthe Juilliard School in New York.
In nineteen sixty-four Itzhak Perlman won the Leventritt Competition in that city. His internationalfamehad begun.
His music is full ofpowerandstrength. It can be sad orjoyful,loudorsoft. But critics say it is not the music alone that makes his playing so special. They say he is able tocommunicatethe joy he feels in playing, and the emotions that great music candeliver.
Anyone who has attended a performance by Itzhak Perlman will tell you that it is exciting to watch him play. His face changesasthe music from his violin changes.
He looks sad when the music seems sad. He smiles and closes his eyes when the music is light and happy. He often looksdarkandthreateningwhen the music seems dark and threatening.
In nineteen-eighty six, President Ronald ReaganhonoredItzhak Perlman with a Medal of Liberty. In two-thousand, President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of Arts. Several major universities have awarded him honors. He continues toreceivehonors for his music.
Today, Itzhak Perlman is also busy leading orchestras. He appears on television. He teaches young musicians. He has worked with most of the top young violinists. He has recorded every major work for the violin, and has also recorded jazz,ragtimeandJewishfolkmusic.
Years ago a reporter asked Itzhak Perlman why he did not play the Violin Concerto in D Major by Beethoven. He answered that he would play it when he had more experience. He has since played it and recorded itseveraltimes.
For a few moments, close your eyes and imagine you are in a theater. In front of us is the stage.To the left, Itzhak Perlman sits in his chair, near theconductor. The orchestra has already played the first two movements of Beethoven's D Major Concerto. The violin leads us to the third, andimmediatelyannounces the major theme.
Itzhak Perlman, A Citizen of the World, With His Violin as a Passport
Itzhak Perlman was born in Tel Aviv, in what was then Palestine, in nineteen forty-five. Today he lives in New York City. But his music has made him acitizenof the world. He has played inalmosteverymajorcity.
He has won many Grammy awards for his recordings. He has also won Emmy awards for his work on television.
Itzhak Perlmansufferedfrompolioat the age of four. The diseasedamagedhis legs. He uses awheelchairor walks with theaidofcrutcheson his arms.
But none of this stopped him from playing the violin. He began as a young child. He took his first lessons at the Music Academy of Tel Aviv. Very quickly, his teachers recognized that he had aspecialgift.
At thirteen he went to the United Sates toappearon television. His playingearnedhim the financial aid toattendthe Juilliard School in New York.
In nineteen sixty-four Itzhak Perlman won the Leventritt Competition in that city. His internationalfamehad begun.
His music is full ofpowerandstrength. It can be sad orjoyful,loudorsoft. But critics say it is not the music alone that makes his playing so special. They say he is able tocommunicatethe joy he feels in playing, and the emotions that great music candeliver.
Anyone who has attended a performance by Itzhak Perlman will tell you that it is exciting to watch him play. His face changesasthe music from his violin changes.
He looks sad when the music seems sad. He smiles and closes his eyes when the music is light and happy. He often looksdarkandthreateningwhen the music seems dark and threatening.
In nineteen-eighty six, President Ronald ReaganhonoredItzhak Perlman with a Medal of Liberty. In two-thousand, President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of Arts. Several major universities have awarded him honors. He continues toreceivehonors for his music.
Today, Itzhak Perlman is also busy leading orchestras. He appears on television. He teaches young musicians. He has worked with most of the top young violinists. He has recorded every major work for the violin, and has also recorded jazz,ragtimeandJewishfolkmusic.
Years ago a reporter asked Itzhak Perlman why he did not play the Violin Concerto in D Major by Beethoven. He answered that he would play it when he had more experience. He has since played it and recorded itseveraltimes.
For a few moments, close your eyes and imagine you are in a theater. In front of us is the stage.To the left, Itzhak Perlman sits in his chair, near theconductor. The orchestra has already played the first two movements of Beethoven's D Major Concerto. The violin leads us to the third, andimmediatelyannounces the major theme.
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