Five Itzhak Perlman videos that range from hilarious to heart-warming

Violinist Itzhak Perlman turns 70 on 31 August. These videos prove that whether he's performing on a kitchen blender or teaching kids about disability, he is a true legend.

Playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star on his blender

Last year the maestro demonstrated he's not just a great violinist but he's  also a wizard with kitchen hardware too.

One day I hope to be able to play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto on this thing. For now, I still need to work on my intonation!

Posted by Itzhak Perlman on Sunday, March 2, 2014


Slapstick comedy

Itzhak Perlman and classical music comedian Peter Schickele brought the house down in 1994 at a Boston Pops Concert. The pair played 'Konzertschitcke for two violins mit orchestra' by P.D.Q. Bach - "the 21st of Bach's 20 children". The great composer John Williams conducts them - for added star wattage.

A duet for violin and tuba on Sesame Street

In 1980, Perlman duetted with Sesame Street's Telly Monster in a unique rendition of Beethoven's Minuet in G.

Perlman's Woody Allen film cameo

Perlman popped up in Woody Allen's 1996 musical comedy Everyone Says I Love You, playing at a 'chic soiree' thrown by Goldie Hawn's character, Steffi, to 'help the New York Philharmonic'.

A touching moment on Sesame Street

Perlman survived a bout of polio as a child and walked with crutches throughout his career. In 1981, Perlman appeared again on Sesame Street in a poignant segment which showed that people with disabilities in one area can have exceptional abilities in others.