Role Of The Performer- Itzhak Perlman: Vibrant Virtuoso of the Violin

I am going to take a little turn away from the musical world in modern television to a different dimension. We're visiting a historical dimension set amid war and devastation. This dimension tells the story of an unsung hero. This masterpiece opened in theaters on December 15, 1993. That was the release date of Schindler's List. Although audiences were fully captivated by the film, they were enthralled by the musical theme. I watched the film one Thanksgiving Eve while prepping dinner and was suddenly awe-struck by a unique and sorrowful melody. The musician was Itzhak Perlman, and his soulful, sensitive performance portraying a devastating time in history struck the hearts of thousands.

Introduction

Itzhak Perlman is a well-renowned violinist, conductor, and music professor. Born in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, in 1945, Itzhak was drawn to the world of music performance when he was three years old. His desire was to learn how to play the violin, yet his music lessons were delayed due to contracting Polio at the age of 4. Polio left Perlman completely disabled, yet his loss of mobility couldn't stop his incredulous talent. When Perlman was 10, he performed publicly in Tel Aviv and nourished his love for music by studying at Juilliard in New York when he was only 13. Perlman's talent was overlooked due to his immobility, yet his tenacity remained steady. He gained national recognition when he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. 

In Perlman's youthful performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, composed in Moscow in 1899-1900, he employed his signature "silvery" tone in the quick, gentle staccato of the melody. The young Perlman performed the piece with joy, in a rapid, "bouncy" articulation. I was startled when I watched such an impressionable child playing this large piece on such a big stage.

    Contributions

Perlman's track record is endless and continues to reign strong into his golden 80s. In his teens, young Perlman also performed Wieniawski's Polonaise Brillante, and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto on the Ed Sullivan Show. He grew in prominence from a soloist to a lead virtuoso and toured the U.S. and Canada. Perlman made his debut at Carnegie Hall and spread his musical talent throughout the U.S., performing in up to 30 cities. He later traveled to Israel, where he held a concert performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto as his finale in Tel Aviv. Perlman toured in Europe and performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic. He presented with the New York Philharmonic and performed in Central Park for a 100th Anniversary Tribute to the Statue of Liberty in 1986. Perlman continued showcasing his incredible abilities by performing jazz and made an album with Oscar Peterson, who is named one of the greatest jazz pianists in history. 

In 2007, Perlman honored Queen Elizabeth II with a performance of Franz Ries's Perpetuum Mobile at the White House State Dinner. He also presented at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony performing John Williams's Air and Simple Gifts in 2009. 

                                                                                            Perlman performs with a 1714 Soil Stradivari 

                                                             that once belonged to Yehudi Menuhin, a famous American violinist and conductor.

Itzhak Perlman captivated audiences with his performance of "Theme from Schindler's List," which was composed by John Williams in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA. Schindler's List is a historical film based on the book Schindler's Ark written by Thomas Keneally. This beautiful drama follows Oskar Schindler, during World War II, who saved the lives of over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees by employing them in his factories. The iconic theme for this film, meticulously created by John Williams, is as haunting as the story the work follows. Perlman shared that he'd never actually seen the film, yet when he did, what he witnessed was so heartbreaking he thought he couldn’t perform the piece. Perlman admitted that he was able to play and complete the piece, and his emotional valor is clearly apparent in his effort. 

"Theme from Schindler's List can be described as simple harmony with a slow, haunting tempo. The melody was constructed primarily for the violin to enhance the dramatic ambiance of the tune. The articulation is smooth, with a flowing melody rolling carefully through a pattern of eighth notes. The silvery tone of the violin replicates weeping which encompasses the devastating theme of the song. I feel entranced with emotion as I witness the meticulously constructed intervals which develop within this passionate work. 

Sharing the Wealth

Itzhak Perlman and his wife, Toby, founded The Perlman Music Program, which began as a summer camp for talented young musicians in 1994. The Perlman Music Program (PMP) offers music education to aspiring and talented young string musicians despite their background or financial abilities. The program offers a lively and collaborative curriculum developed by Toby and Itzhak Perlman. The goal is to teach young efficianatos "how to be in the world." Itzhak Perlman also continues his involvement in music education at The Juilliard School, teaching Chamber Music and specializing in the Violin. 

As you may observe from the video presented above, Scherzo di Passaggio, Perlman's students reflect his talent and love for music. Talented artists such as Perlman are a great necessity in this universe because they inspire and encourage new talent. Itzhak Perlman showed the world he could run and dance with his talent without the use of his legs. He defied the common stigma he received as being unable, and Perlman became a legend. Perlman, who once didn't speak about his disability, now advocates for individuals with disabilities. Perlman shares in an interview available on the website WSJ VIDEO titled "Violinist Itzhak Perlman on Shifting Perceptions of Polio," "If you have a lot of stuff to offer as an artist, the other stuff is meaningless. You'll have to do some fighting, you'll have to do some adjusting. The important thing is what you have to offer." 

Works Cited

Encyclopedia Britannica, The Editors of. “Itzhak Perlman Israeli-American Musician.” Britannica, 2 Nov. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Itzhak-Perlman.

“Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1714, the ‘Soil.’” Tarisio Fine Instruments and Bows, https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=1954.

“Itzhak Perlman.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itzhak_Perlman

“ITZHAK PERLMAN BIOGRAPHY.” Itzhakperlman.Com, https://itzhakperlman.com/biography/.

Itzhak Perlman “Flight Of The Bumblebee” on The Ed Sullivan Show. 2021, https://youtu.be/v8NORN2hS1U?si=ii9p4pSMxQahwzsw. YouTube.

John Williams: Schindler´s List Theme - Itzhak Perlman. 2019, https://youtu.be/cLgJQ8Zj3AA?si=PehEfgr8Ad7dGn43. YouTube.

Perlman, Itzhak. Itzhak Perlman Tells the Story behind His Legendary Performance of the Schindler’s List. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/ItzhakPerlmanOfficial/videos/itzhak-perlman-tells-the-story-behind-his-legendary-performance-of-the-schindler/24893702390230644/. Facebook.

Scherzo Di Passaggio. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jF6p0WwyXw&t=152s. YouTube.

“Schindler’s List.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schindler%27s_List.

The Story of Itzhak Perlman. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo_RNnyhQkU. YouTube.

weiss, j. “Violinist Itzhak Perlman on Shifting Perceptions of Polio.” WSJ Video, 1 Dec. 2014, https://www.wsj.com/video/violinist-itzhak-perlman-on-shifting-perceptions-of-polio/53B4670F-7227-4FE0-8A6F-252F9DB985FC.