Itzhak Perlman and his audience: It’s a love affair

It is impossible to name any one person as the greatest violinist in the world. The great violin soloists that appear on global concert stages are all brilliant musicians.

But there is something special about Itzhak Perlman. Yes, he has stunning technique and a velvety tone but most of the other soloists have that too. What sets him apart from the rest, is his personality anweatherd his manner. When Perlman performers, he shows a love for his audience, has a magnetic smile and a twinkle in his eye.

Many people will ask me why classical musicians don’t smile more when they play, but they cannot say that about Perlman. His impish smile exudes the joy he has for music and the love he has for the audience. People love to watch him play, as he seems to embrace his violin.

On Facebook, Perlman posts mini videos that show him telling a joke or two and then playing a little ditty. He is known as much for his warmth and likeable manner (and his cooking) as for his virtuosic musicianship.

Although I have interviewed many great musicians in my decades with the Lansing State Journal, this is the first time I have ever interviewed Perlman. When he called me at the appointed time, he sounded like my best friend calling for a chat. He was as relaxed and warm as he appears on stage or TV.

His upcoming appearance at the Wharton Center will not be a standard recital of solo sonatas. The concert is called “An Evening with Itzhak Perlman” and it will be filled with music, stories, movies and photos showcasing his half-century of music making.

Perlman, 76, described it this way, “It is like sitting down in a living room and explaining how it all started out, back to my childhood. It is a lot of fun and I enjoy doing it. I share anecdotes, photographs and videos.”

The violinist was quick to dash any ideas that this will be a farewell tour prior to announcing his retirement. “No, not at all. I plan to keep on playing for many years. I just like this slightly freer type of format and I love to talk to the audience.”

The last two years of isolation was difficult for this gregarious man. “I learned a lot of things that were on the computer and the internet and I made many videos. But I missed the audience. It’s great to play for an audience again. On the internet, you’re imagining whether they like it or not. You can’t see them. It’s not the same.”

Perlman and his audience. It’s a love affair.

Over the years, Perlman has been involved in wife Toby’s Perlman Music Program. This enterprise has developed into a year-long series of programs in chamber music, fellowships and music instruction. Perlman says, “Even during COVID, we did the camp virtually – Zoom groups, community over the internet, and we recently had face-to-face programs at Shelter Island, a short drive away. We got a lot done over the past two years.”

The Wharton performance allows the audience to ponder Perlman’s unique career. Being stricken with polio at age 4 and preventing him from walking for the rest of his life, did not stop the youngster from becoming a great violinist. His singular talent was almost immediately recognized.

“I had an old school, strict, Russian teacher who had her own way of doing things. When I went off to Juilliard at age 13 she told me that the teachers there would probably change a lot of her teaching, which they did.”

His main teacher was Dorothy DeLay, a graduate of Michigan State University.

I inquired if he goes back and listens to his old recordings and did his interpretations change over the years. “Oh yes. Things have changed noticeably. I listen to early recordings and think that I would never play that music like that today. As I get older, I find that I hear better and am more careful with my phrasing. I am evolving – that’s the beauty of music.”

Many people feel that the tone of an instrument, actually reveals the soul of the performer. Does Perlman think that you can change someone’s tone?

He answered, “Tone, to me, is like a fingerprint. Every person has a different fingerprint. It can’t be changed. You can teach sound on the violin – through bow speeds, pressure, placement and so on, but the tone remains.”

In 1993, the movie “Schindler’s List” was released and the John Williams violin solo has become a signature piece for Perlman. He claims that it is the most requested piece he has ever had in his career. No doubt he will play it at Wharton Center.

There is a lot of content available when looking back of Perlman’s celebrated career. He is remembered for his appearances on Sesame Street, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and back to the days of Ed Sullivan. He has received 16 Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards and many more accolades.

And he still has a phenomenal memory. When I told him that I first heard him solo with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1965 playing a Paganini concerto, he exclaimed, “I remember that concert. Louis Lane was the conductor.” He was and Perlman was right.

An amazing way to end an interview.

To go

An Evening with Itzhak Perlman

?Wharton Center Great Hall

?Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30pm

?Tickets are from $44, www.whartoncenter.com, 517-432-2000 or 1-800 WHARTON

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Itzhak Perlman and his audience: It’s a love affair