By: Genevieve Turner
Itzhak Perlman, an Israeli American violinist, who has been considered “one of the greatest violinists in the world,” performed in Weber Chapel on Wednesday night, April 19.
The concert sold all 1,400 tickets within 24 hours of ticket sales opening. The tickets were available to Susquehanna students as well as members of the public.
Perlman performed at 8 p.m., accompanied by his pianist Rohan De Silva. He performed LeClair’s “Tombeau”, Beethoven’s “Kreutzer”, Schumann’s “Fantasiestücke, Op. 73”, and other select works.
Itzhak Perlman visited Susquehanna University, due to the Stella Freeman Weis Cultural Endowment and in loving memory of Robert F. Weis by his wife, Patricia. The Stella Freeman Weis Cultural Endowment was established in 1976 by Robert and Patricia Weis and it sponsors the performances of critically acclaimed artists such as Perlman at Susquehanna University.
Perlman has performed worldwide and throughout the United States in venues including a State Dinner at the White House honoring Queen Elizabeth II and President Barak Obama’s inauguration. He is a recipient of 16 Grammy Awards and four Emmy Awards.
Perlman garnered national attention once he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. His performances included pieces such as Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee” and Wieniawski’s “Polonaise Brillante.” He performed in Carnegie Hall in 1964 and won the Leventritt Competition, a highly prestigious international competition for classical violinists and pianists.
Along with his performances, Perlman has made multiple appearances on television shows such as Sesame Street and The Tonight Show. He also played at several White House events.