At just three years old, Itzhak Perlman heard a classical music performance on the radio. The violin's sound memorized him. He just had to learn to play the instrument. His family demurred, though, believing him too young.
But they changed their mind after tragedy struck the following year. Young Perlman came down with polio. At the time, Israel offered limited medical resources. Many who contracted the disease died. Perlman survived. But the disease limited his mobility — he rides a scooter onto the stage now. But disease did not dampen his enthusiasm to learn.
So his parents relented. At age five, despite financial strain, they allowed him to take music lessons. "There were times there was nothing to eat," Perlman, 78, recalled. "But there was always the music."
Be The Best Like Itzhak Perlman
Perlman is widely considered among the greatest classical violinists. His career spans six decades. He earned 16 Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, the Medal of Liberty (presented by President Ronald Reagan), the National Medal of the Arts (from President Bill Clinton), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (from President Barack Obama) as well as the Kennedy Center honors. Yet back then, a career as a professional musician seemed extremely unlikely.
Perlman was born in Tel Aviv. "It's very interesting what makes kids who study instruments choose the instrument," he said. "It's what speaks to you. The sound just appealed to me. I wanted to do that."
But talent is only one element in a successful career, he says. "Luck has a certain amount to do with it. But it's a combination of talent, good advice, savvy and how you handle your life. And of course, it's a lot of hard work and good instincts" Perlman said in an interview with Investor's Business Daily.
Overcome Obstacles Like Perlman
Still, the cards were stacked against him. Even as a talented youngster, some discouraged Perlman from pursuing music. Experts in the stodgy world of classical music saw his disability as a showstopper. Concert violinists stand when they perform; they don't sit, critics said.
Then along came Ed Sullivan, the newspaper columnist who hosted a popular Sunday night TV show. Sullivan searched the world for unique talent. For example, in 1958, Sullivan sent scouts to Israel. Open auditions looked for all sorts of acts: singers, comedians, musicians and jugglers.
After the scouts narrowed down the entries, Sullivan came to Israel to make the final choice. He selected a 13-year-old violinist to appear on his show. Perlman wonders if it was his talent or the inspirational aspect of his disability that attracted the television host. It didn't matter. He dazzled on his first appearance on TV.
Know That Talent Only Takes You So Far
But success still was far from assured. Perlman long said being a child prodigy is a curse. "If you hear someone who is 10, 11 or 12 years old play and they sound very talented but age appropriate, there is promise there," he said. "But if you hear that child playing and you close your eyes and you think that's somebody 20 years old playing, I always say watch out. What will they do for the next 10 years? It's better to be age appropriate, but not finished and have a challenge."
He goes on to say, "I was talented, but if you closed your eyes and listened, I was playing appropriate for my age. I had a good sound, but there were ways to evolve, improve."
In that regard, Sullivan's choosing Perlman was a blessing. Brought to New York, Perlman took advantage of a level of instruction at the Juilliard School unavailable to him in Israel.
One of his main instructors, the late Dorothy Delay, remembered when she first met him: "He just came from ... Israel and he was miserable. It was in an old crummy hotel and it was raining. I know he looked at me and thought, 'Who is this horrible old woman I don't like her. Yuck!'"
But music transcended all that. "I couldn't speak Hebrew and he couldn't speak English. God, I never felt so sorry for anyone. And then he played and I thought, 'I've never heard anyone like this in my life,'" Delay said.
Don't Let Tough Circumstances Discourage You
"In the beginning it was rough," Perlman said. He came to the U.S. with his mother. "My father joined us later. ... I didn't know anybody so it took a couple of years to develop some kind of social circle," he said.
Did he ever think of quitting and going home? "No, not really," he said. "I just had to dig in and bear it and go through the depressing period. It was not so bad. It was just depressing for a while. Anyway, I just wanted the music so badly."
In 1964 he won the prestigious Leventritt Prize (since discontinued). "That helped me get some dates with interesting orchestras. Progress was slow and sure. It wasn't like making a big splash and then burning out."
Avoid Burnout By Avoiding Boredom
Burning out? Six decades later, Perlman is still going strong with a full schedule of performances. Is the magic is still there for him? Is it harder to get up for a performance?
"A lot of people say to me, 'What's your goal? What do you want to do that you haven't done before?'" he said. "I've done a lot, but my challenge is not to be bored."
He varies his performances over the course of a year. He does solo concerts and then performs with other artists. Pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma are regular onstage companions. He varies what he performs, too, from classics to chamber music too Klezmer music and jazz. Perlman is also an in-demand conductor. "At the turn of the 21st century, Perlman — now widely recognized as the world's preeminent classical violinist — initiated a second career as a conductor," said the Academy Of Achievement.
"I'm able to stay fresh because I do so many different things that are connected. It makes everything much more interesting, so I look forward to performing," he said.
Overcome Challenges With Determination
Perlman does this all even though physically getting to performances has become a chore. "It's really horrible. I still remember when I was able to leave for the airport an hour before the flight, go straight to the gate and get on the plane," he said.
"Touring is so much more difficult now, especially with a disability. I have a scooter and I need special arrangements, and you never know if the people are supposed to help you will actually show up," he said.
Teach The Next Generation
Perlman regularly teaches master classes at schools such as Juilliard. Also, some 30 years ago Perlman and wife Toby (a violinist he met at a music camp) founded what has become the Perlman Music Program, an annual summer school for promising musicians.
"I believe if you teach others, you actually teach yourself," he said. "For me, that is very helpful. I always tell my students, never miss an opportunity to teach. Whether you are teaching a beginner or somebody more advanced, teaching is always helpful to make you a better musician and a better performer."
Perlman has difficulty explaining what makes a performer great. "You recognize talent based on what it does to you. A lot of it has to do with the sheer gut feeling. Sometimes people say the audience doesn't really understand classical music. But when you go to a concert, and you hear someone incredible, everyone seems to know it. There is no mystery."
Is it the violin? Is it the bow? Is it the left hand? Is it the right? To which Perlman says it doesn't make a difference.
"Suppose you get a dish put in front of you that is absolutely incredible. You can ask yourself what they put in that dish. Was it salt? How much pepper? Or you can stop wandering, say, 'This is the most wonderful thing I've ever tasted,' and eat it."
Itzhak Perlman's Keys
- Considered among best classical violinists in the world, awarded 16 Grammy Awards and four Emmy Awards.
- Overcame: Physical challenges presented from polio suffered in his childhood.
- Lesson: "I'm sure there are people in other jobs who are not particularly joyful in what they do. I know that if I'm enjoying something, I show it. I don't feel I have to be austere because I'm a classical musician."
