The Toast of Tel Aviv

What do you say about Itzhak Perlman? Just the guy’s name pretty much sells itself — an impressive feat for any violinist, much less one who can barely walk due to a case of polio at the age of 4. His entrance onto the stage via his crutches is part...

By P. Scott Cunningham

January 7, 2010

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $6,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$820

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

What do you say about Itzhak Perlman? Just the guy’s name pretty much sells itself — an impressive feat for any violinist, much less one who can barely walk due to a case of polio at the age of 4. His entrance onto the stage via his crutches is part of his boundless charisma, however, preparing the audience for an experience that will be purely cerebral, magnetic, and emotional. The genuine force of his hands upon the bow and strings feels like a reversal of what you’ve just witnessed from his legs — it’s like an entire human drama enacted in a few seconds, and the concert has barely begun.

Perlman’s appearance at the Knight Concert Hall is the culminating performance in the Arsht Center’s Tel Aviv at 100 Festival. The four-time Emmy winner and 15-time Grammy winner will make his grand entrance promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are mostly sold-out, but a few are still available in the $75-to-$100 range. The playlist for the evening hasn’t been announced, but trust us when we say it doesn’t matter. Perlman could play “Chopsticks” and it would bring you to tears.
Tue., Jan. 12, 8 p.m., 2010

P. Scott Cunningham

A message from Culture Editor Celia Almeida: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Miami's vibrant culture and arts scenes.

Support Today