March’s String magazine features an article on the ‘Itzhak’ documentary by James C. Taylor.

Itzhak Perlman has been a household name for so long that it’s easy to lose perspective when it comes to his accomplishments: fame, countless awards and honors—plus, of course, his recordings and performances. But there’s a scene in the new documentary Itzhak (to be released in selected theaters this month and airing on PBS later this year), in which the fruits of his success become immediately tangible.

Over the course of its 82 minutes, the documentary, directed by Alison Chernick, reveals many facets of his personality and artistry, but in one of the scenes shot in Perlman’s Manhattan townhouse, viewers are shown a glimpse of his office, where you can see his 16 Grammy awards, four Emmy awards, and Presidential Medal of Freedom all lined up next to each other. The force of his triumphs hits you in a very physical way.

READ MORE

Last night Itzhak Perlman, Toby Perlman and director Alison Chernick appeared on a panel after the screening of the ‘Itzhak’ documentary at the ReelAbilities Film Festival at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Manhattan in New York.

The ReelAbilities Festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different abilities. Award-winning films are presented in various locations throughout the NY metropolitan area. Discussions and other engaging programs bring together the community to explore, discuss and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.

MORE INFORMATION

‘ITZHAK’, a documentary centered around multi-talented musician Itzhak Perlman, will open in New York March 9th and roll out nationwide. The film, directed by Alison Chernick and presented by Greenwich Entertainment, is also scheduled to be released nationwide at a later date.

From Shubert to Strauss, Bach to Brahms, Mozart to…Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the celebrations and struggles of real life; “praying with the violin,” says renowned Tel Aviv violinmaker Amnon Weinstein. Alison Chernick’s enchanting documentary looks beyond the sublime musician to see the polio survivor whose parents emigrated from Poland to Israel, and the young man who struggled to be taken seriously as a music student when schools saw only his disability. Itzhak himself is funny, irreverent and self-deprecating, and here his life story unspools in conversations with masterful musicians, family and friends, and most endearingly his devoted wife of 50 years, Toby. Itzhak and Toby’s lives are dedicated to their large, loving, Jewish family in NYC and their continual support of young musicians

READ MORE

It’s the opening scene of the documentary “Itzhak” and is an exhibition of what will unfold: the story of the gifted and active musician, the devoted husband and family man, the philanthropist, the sensitive teacher, the good friend, the humble humanitarian, and the man proud of his Jewish heritage.

This is a celebration of his life’ as reported by Vicki Leopold for the Atlanta Jewish Times.

In this movie of top-notch clarity and acoustics, we see Itzhak and Toby, his wife, in their Manhattan apartment and their New York City life. We also see Tel Aviv, his home, and pieces of his performances around the world.

READ MORE

(Atlanta Jewish Film Festival screenings: Jan. 27, 1 p.m., Hollywood; Jan. 30, 7:20 p.m., Atlantic Station; Feb. 2, 1:35 p.m., Hollywood; Feb. 4, 8:30 p.m., Springs; Feb. 10, 8:35 p.m., Tara)

The NW Film Center’s Reel Music Festival features plenty of films that should perk up the ears of music junkies as reported by Robert Ham from the The Portland Mercury. The highlight for this writer is Itzhak (screening Sun Jan 14), a portrait of violin maestro Itzhak Perlman that will air later this year on American Masters. Free of stodgy narration and edited in an almost stream-of-consciousness fashion, director Alison Chernick’s loving film works in glimpses of the classical music exemplar’s sizable ego (watch him slyly find a way to get a solo during rehearsals for a guest appearance at one of Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden shows), but the strongest impression that comes across is Perlman’s impressive generosity, as seen in his work with a new generation of musicians.

READ MORE