Itzhak Perlman at 70
David Mellor - Sunday 23 August 2015, 7pm. David showcases the extraordinary talent and musicianship of one of the world's great violinists.
Tonight David Mellor pays special tribute to the great violinist Itzhak Perlman on the occasion of his 70th birthday, coming up on 31 August.
Born in Tel Aviv to parents of Polish origin, Perlman first became interested in the violin after hearing it on the radio. He taught himself how to play the instrument using a toy fiddle until he was old enough to study it properly. He gave his first recital aged 10, before moving to the United States to study at Juilliard.
Perlman was introduced to the American public when he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show twice. He made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1963 and soon afterwards began to tour widely. In addition to an extensive recording and performance career, he has continued to make guest appearances on American television shows such as The Tonight Show and Sesame Street.
He has also played jazz and klezmer, and has been a soloist for a number of film scores such as the theme for Schindler's List by John Williams, which subsequently won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Tonight, David ranges across Perlman's entire career, from Sibelius to Scott Joplin, from Beethoven to a duet with Placido Domingo.
