Itzhak Perlman

"When you live in a small country such as Israel, the dream of any musician is to go abroad. All I thought was that it was the most exciting thing in my life — to go out to the States," Itzhak Perlman told NPR in 2015. At the age of 13, Perlman was brought to New York City for an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, displaying stunning virtuosity and gaining international attention. Since then, Perlman has appeared with all of the world’s major orchestras, at times doubling as conductor, and has showcased his talents playing at music festivals, recitals, and concerts around the globe. Considered one of the greatest violinists of his generation, Perlman has achieved superstar status, earning 16 Grammys, four Emmys, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “From Schubert to Strauss, Bach to Brahms, Mozart to … Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the celebrations and struggles of real life,” says renowned Tel Aviv violin maker Amnon Weinstein in Itzhak, a new documentary about the violin legend. Each summer Perlman teaches young string talents at The Perlman Music Program, a music institute founded by his wife, Toby, on Shelter Island in New York. Updated 2018