For those of you who are not quite sure who this gentleman is and why I am so excited that I got to actually meet him, suffice it to say that he is probably the best and most famous violinist of today!
I was lucky enough to be able to see, hear and meet him last month when he performed at the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. He not only performed three magnificent pieces with the Los Angeles Philharmonic symphony, he also conducted.
The symphony performed the Sonata in G Major K.261 by Mozart. I was not familiar with this piece and it was wonderful to hear it performed live by the best violinist around. They also performed a sweet little Rondo in C major K373.
Mozart was the star composer of the day when they also performed his Symphony No.27 in G major K199 which consisted of the three perfect movements. Lovely piece of music and thoroughly enjoyable and very familiar.
After a short intermission, we were treated with a bigger orchestra (timpani, tubas, trombones, trumpets,more double basses than I’ve ever seen on one stage, cellos galore) which was necessary to perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op.64.
This was without doubt one of the most dramatic and intense pieces of music I have heard performed live. The low notes reached by the double basses were so low that you almost only felt them instead of hearing them! My eyes were opened extremely wide listening to this.
After the performance I went back stage to the ‘green room’ with my friends who had come on this journey with me. After searching through quiet hallways, we finally found Mr. Perlman. He was in the middle of an interview with a young boy. The film crew was standing all around and it was all very professional. When the interview was over, my friend Diane (the one who got us back stage because her mother works for Mr. Perlman) went up to him and introduced herself. He was thrilled to meet her and had been expecting her. We were all introduced and made small talk for a few minutes. I commented on the nice choice of color for the shirt he wore! He thought it was great that I approved! Imagine that! I talked to Itzhak Perlman.
If you’re interested in hearing a beautiful version of the Tchaikovsky piece, here is a link to listen to it: https://youtu.be/w2JBT0HC98I
The beautiful Disney Concert Hall
How wonderful Jamie!
Jamie – that is SO wonderful .. and what would be cool is to see the picture of when you were there!
Nice Jaimie! How fun! Fun to read about you meeting him…
It was great fun and what a lovely account of the experience.