Musician Profile for Itzhak Perlman

keira — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:45:27 +0000

Who is Itzhak Perlman?

Brief Bio:

Itzhak Perlman is a classically trained violin virtuoso, a conductor and the principal owner of the Perlman Music foundation. Itzhak Perlman is easily recognized as one of the greatest violinists of all time, and is known for brilliant playing technique, direct musical interpretation and absolute precision in how he plays. His recordings include not only every available standard violin repertoire, but also music from contemporary composers as well. He has made a name for himself by playing with nearly every serious orchestra across the globe, showcasing his incredible talent in recitals, musical festivals and concerts all over the world. He is known as "the man who plays sitting down" because he lost the use of his legs due to becoming ill with polio at the age of four. Despite his physical shortcomings, he has never had trouble bringing audiences to their feet in appreciation of his incredible musical gifts.

Where He Is Now:

Itzhak Perlman is still a fixture in the field of violin music. He has been conducting in recent years, acting as the principal guest conductor for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He also teaches, especially at the Brooklyn College where he has a faculty post and has been named the holder of the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair at the Juliard School in Violin Studies. He resides in New York City with his wife who is also a classically trained violinist. They have five children together, and work as a family on the Perlman Music Foundation which gives summer residential courses in chamber music to gifted young string players.

Career Highlights:

Itzhak Perlman has won numerous awards throughout his career as a violinist and conductor, including numerous Grammy awards for Best Chamber Music Performance in 1979, 1981, 1982, 1988 and 1991, as well as Grammy Awards for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra, Best Instrumental Soloist Performance without Orchestra, Best Classical Album, Best Engineered Classical Album and others. In 1980 he was the cover story for Newsweek Magazine. In 1986 he received the Medal of Liberty from President Reagan, and in 2000 he was recognized again with the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. In 2003 he received Kennedy Center honors.

YouTube Videos:

The first video is a visual/audio clip of Itzhak Perlman playing on Sesame Street and the second one is just auditory with a static picture. Enjoy!

Interesting and Inspirational Quotes:

"Another thing that I don't like to do is show too much how it goes. I do it once in a blue moon. Sometimes there are lessons when I don't pick up a violin at all." - Itzhak Perlman

"For people who are really talented, what you don't say becomes extremely important. You have to judge what to say and what to leave alone so you can let the talent develop." - Itzhak Perlman

"I'm now doing three things: concerts, conducting, and teaching, and they each support each other. I learn to see things from different perspectives and listen with different ears. The most important thing that you need to do is really listen." - Itzhak Perlman

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-13 11:01:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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