By Courtney Campbell
Renowned classical musician, Itzhak Perlman brought along his prized 300-year-old Stradivarius violin and his wit to Elon University’s Fall Convocation on Tuesday Oct. 6.
Throughout the speech, Perlman trailed through his extensive violin career that began at age 4. Now 70, he has played at every major concert hall, performed at President Barak Obama’s first Inauguration in 2009 and has received numerous Emmy and Grammy Awards.
The speech was moderated by Gerald Whittington, senior vice president for business, finance and technology a a professional singer with the Bel Canto Company, a choral ensemble in the Triad area.
Both Whittington and the audience was in awe as Perlman took out his violin and played a piece composed by Bach — the same one he learned as a child playing an advertisement for a cookie manufacturing company.
He received a standing ovation. “Can you do that some more?” asked Whittington.
Perlman played three more times that evening, successfully silencing the audience with each piece, including a famous score he wrote for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning “Schindler’s List.”
Perlman took to a combination of wit and humor to keep the audience on its toes, often at Whittington’s expense. As soon as Perlman arrived on stage, he corrected Whittington that he had won 17 Grammy Awards, not the 16 Whittington mentioned in his opening.
It wouldn’t be the first snappy retort.
“I believe you were on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ three times,” Whittington said.
“Six,” Perlman said.
“And I count for a living,” Whittington said.
Spending long hours perfecting his trade, Perlman has developed a practice regimen all his own. Perlman explained that musicians should only practice for five hours, tops.
Any more, he said, would be like putting a sponge in water and adding a few drops — useless.
“A lot of things about practicing have to do with repetition,” Perlman said. “Muscle memory.”
After living a full musical life, Perlman has decided to dedicate some of his time to educating the youth. Since 1995, he has run and taught at his summer camp for aspiring musicians, The Perlman Music Program.
“My goal is to continue to enjoy what I do and not to be bored,” Perlman said. “Conducting and teaching and playing. Each one of those things helps each other. When I teach others, I teach myself.”
Though it has been getting difficult for Perlman to move around, he is embarking on a worldwide tour, performing 50 times between now and May.
Perlman will be back in the Triad area for his last performance of his tour, performing in Raleigh May 18, 2016.
Courtney Campbell 