An Evening with Itzhak Perlman

Yesterday began with a 5K around Jamaica Pond and then a trip to the Hale Reservation to watch a trail race. It was beautiful spring weather. But then it started to rain, just as I got in the car to go to Worcester.

No matter. Aided by the klezmer album “In the Fiddler’s House,” I arrived well before the night’s performance, An Evening with Itzhak Perlman.

And what a show it was. Along with being a violin virtuoso, Perlman was a master storyteller, full of warmth and humor. He also had a plethora of photos and videos projected behind him.

He started talking of Russia and Ukraine (his parents were Polish refugees to Tel Aviv and he seemed profoundly affected by the war). He said he hoped his music would be an “elixir” to help us stop worrying about global events.

And it did. From Brahms to Schindler’s list, his tone was incredibly warm, just like his personality.

But most memorable was his discussion of his experience with polio. He came on stage in a motorized wheelchair and showed several photos and videos of himself struggling with crutches and leg braces. He also struggled with frequent discrimination and self doubt.

Itzhak Perlman had problems with self-doubt? Oh yes – he is human. But he is resilient; he perseveres.

The night was inspirational – his elixir worked.

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