The BSO kicks off its second century in grand style with its 34th Annual Gala! None other than the venerated Itzhak Perlman performs one of his signature concerti, the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Plus, BSYO, OrchKids and OrchLab students appear in a special rendition of “Ode to Joy.” Join us for this extraordinary program celebrating the artistry, history and future of your BSO. Tickets starting at $75.

Ten American composers have each composed a short celebratory work to be presented during the Centennial season. These include TJ Cole, Kristen Kuster, Lori Laitman, Libby Larsen, Caroline Shaw, Joan Tower, James Lee III, Jonathan Leshnoff, Christopher Rouse and Christopher Theofanidis. Chosen themes for the commissions include: fanfare for the uncommon woman, earth, death of Poe and dancing blue crabs. These Celebration Centennial works have been commissioned for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop by Classical Movements, Inc. as part of the Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program.

Tune in to your local classical radio station anywhere in North America, and it won’t take long for someone to mention the name Itzhak Perlman. It is rare for a musician in the classical genre to become the rock star that Perlman has become. Known for the tremendous emotion he exudes through each string he caresses, he has taken lead in dominating the title ‘virtuoso of the violin’. He has shared his journey on stage with such transparency, whether you watch him live or through his plethora of performances available online, Perlman lets you in.

As long as Perlman has been performing, he has also been educating and fighting for inclusivity for those with disabilities. Contracting polio as a young boy, he has discovered first hand the obstacles that come with navigating the world with a limited mobility, as well as the “hostility” he feels when requesting basic necessities.

From humble beginnings, Perlman knows the impact of giving. He recently was presented with the Genesis Prize, which honors individuals who excel within their professional fields, and who make significant contributions to humanity, as well as inspire through their dedication to Jewish values. With this accolade comes a one million dollar reward that, which Perlman has decided to use towards greater integration of people with disabilities into society. During his acceptance speech, Perlman highlighteds being able to give back:, “The physical prize is wonderful, but what I will cherish even more is the opportunity you have given me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

During our interview we laughed a bit, and, he shared some personal tips and tricks of travel; then, we bid Perlman adieu as he sped off to mold the skills of young talented musicians. READ MORE
Excerpts from the Itzhak Perlman Aug/Sep 2016 Issue:

Renowned violinist and Mets fan Itzhak Perlman played the national anthem before the first game of the ‘Subway Series’ at Citi Field.

You can watch Itzhak Perlman’s performance using this link: National Anthem

The Mets’ bullpen blew another lead, and the Mets lost 6-5 in extra innings to the Yankees after taking a lead into the late innings

Retired tennis legend, John McEnroe threw an absolutely perfect pitch at the last night’s Mets game.

All photos courtesy of the New York Mets.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) hands the Genesis Award to Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman, during the Genesis Award ceremony at the Jerusalem Theater, on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Photo by Kobi Gideon / GPO

In his book, To Heal a Fractured World, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks recalls how renowned Israeli-American violinist, conductor, and pedagogue Itzhak Perlman came onto the stage at Lincoln Center in New York City to play a violin concerto—presumably something he had done many times before.

But as Perlman sat down to play this time in 1995, one of the strings on his violin broke. The audience assumed that Perlman would have to find another violin or another string for the one he was using—delaying the concert. Instead, Perlman waited a moment, closed his eyes, and signaled the conductor to begin.

He played the entire concerto on just three strings.

Afterwards—following a standing ovation—Perlman spoke. He said, “Sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what remains.”

That story, retold by Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein during a ceremony held at the Knesset on June 22, was meant to encapsulate the message that “we have to make the world a better place with what we have,” said Edelstein.

On June 23 in Jerusalem, Perlman received the 2016 Genesis Prize, an award that honors individuals who have attained excellence in their professional fields, have made a significant contribution to humanity, and serve as an inspiration to others through their dedication to Jewish values and the State of Israel. The annual prize, a partnership of the State of Israel, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Genesis Prize Foundation, carries a $1 million reward, which Perlman said he will use to primarily to invest in projects that foster greater integration of people with disabilities into Israeli and North American societies. Reprinted from the Connecticut Jewish Ledger READ MORE

2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Itzhak Perlman recently met up with Genesis Prize Ceremony MC, award Award winning actress Dame Helen Mirren in advance of their trip to Israel in June, when Mr. Perlman will receive the 2016 Genesis Prize Award. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu will present the 2016 Genesis Prize to the acclaimed violinist, educator and advocate for individuals with disabilities, Itzhak Perlman.

The Genesis Prize is a $1 million annual award given to individuals who have achieved extraordinary professional success, have made a significant contribution to humanity, and inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and the State of Israel.
The inaugural Genesis Prize – dubbed by Time magazine as “The Jewish Nobel” – was awarded in 2014 to New York Mayor and one of the world’s leading philanthropists, Michael Bloomberg. Academy-award winning actor, producer and peace activist Michael Douglas received this prestigious award in 2015.

“Itzhak Perlman is the embodiment of everything an ideal Genesis Prize Laureate should be,” said Chairman and Co-Founder of the Genesis Prize, Stan Polovets. “Itzhak has achieved unparalleled professional success, and through his music brings joy to millions of people around the world. A 16 time Grammy award winner, he has been an incredible source of inspiration for individuals with special needs by overcoming tremendous personal challenges after having been severely disabled by polio at age four. And he has given back to society by dedicating virtually all of his free time and significant resources to teaching young talented musicians and to serving as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. We are delighted to have Itzhak as our 2016 Laureate.”