Itzhak Perlman In Concert.

Considered one of the great violinists, Itzhak Perlman was born in Israel where at an early age he contracted Polio. Disabled for most of his life, Perlman became a world renowned violinist playing the worlds most important venues.

At the beginning of the concert you quickly realized that he is both funny and humble at the same time. His stories are funny and heartfelt; even at the beginning of the show he expressed his concern of what happened two days ago in Israel and said that he hopes it settles itself out quickly and that peace will be resolved quickly. Like his storytelling, he is pragmatic and insightful in his thoughts.

Today was a blend of his music and his life. At an early age he was given a violin at three and a half years old. He lost interest quickly in it but became more so with coming down with Polio. His opening number was a simple one as he explains, a child should be able to play it. The days second number was a brilliant piece by Schubert. As a child he had a few teachers, his lack of practicing became a test of his will to become a brilliant virtuoso.

An Oscar Reeding number was his third. It was at this time that he told us that he received a scholarship and was invited on the Ed Sullivan show. He was invited with other Israeli artists to come to New York City to perform on Sullivan. This was followed by an Allegro by Fiocco. He credited London as well as the great Italian music writers as an influence to his musical performances.

As he attended the Julliard School he studied under Ivan Galamian, an unemotional demanding person. It was at this time that he would practice five hours a day. He would play the Jewish circuit to make money while in college. The fifth song by Contise WA was his best of the concert, it was deep and pure sounding. After his first stint at Carnegie Hall, he would learn to accept that critics would always knock him because he sat when he played. He would again be pragmatic in his criticisms in that he would say that "they sit in the Philharmonic, they sit when in an orchestra"; and he's right to say that.

Perlman would be on Ed Sullivan three more times, he would enter the Leventritt competition where upon winning it had his violin stolen backstage. Always the showman, Perlman would bring levity to the theft, even going as far to say that people thought he was in on the heist.

With success coming his way, Perlman met his future wife backstage at a performance. Traveling Europe, Perlman would bring his wife and his first three children on the road. When he had his fourth and fifth children, he would travel by himself and rush home as soon as possible to be with his family. He proudly showed his wife and children on the screen that was a big part of the concert. Now with 14 grandchildren he gives us the feeling that a tough childhood and rough climb to the top has left him content with his life.

Today Perlman resides in New York City; he and his wife started the The Perlman Music Program for gifted musicians. His greatest reward he says is that he teaches there. In his conclusion with the theme from "Schindler's List" by John Williams we get the feeling that the hope that this song exudes is the hope that he had in his life. Now that Perlman is at the twilight of his life, the joy and the depth that he played this song makes us realize that he is satisfied with life indeed!

NJPAC, Itzhak Perlman, Israel. Tel Aviv, Violinist, Sesame Street, Carnegie Hall, Grammy Awards, Avery Fisher Hall, London, Polio, Rohan De Silva, Piano, Emmy Award, Kennedy Center Honors, Schubert, Classic Music, Tom Kean.