If his Twitter feed is any indication, violinist-conductor Itzhak Perlman is enjoying a busy summer. He’s conducted Mozart in Berlin, traveled to Jerusalem to receive the Genesis Prize and played the National Anthem at a recent New York Mets game.
A longtime Chicago favorite, he returns for two concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this weekend at the Ravinia Festival: on Aug. 20, an all-Beethoven program of the Violin Concerto and Symphony No. 7, led by Bramwell Tovey, music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and on Aug. 21, the violinist moves to the podium to conduct an all-Tchaikovsky program of Symphony No. 5, Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra, and the “1812” Festival Overture (with live cannons). Joining Perlman for the Aug. 21 concert will be cellist Lynn Harrell, who’s celebrating the 50th anniversary of his Ravinia debut; Perlman, who bowed at Ravinia in July 1967, marks that milestone next season.
Some recent snippets from Perlman’s Twitter feed:
Thinking of the people of Louisiana especially those with disabilities that make travel and relocation difficult. pic.twitter.com/mrLakfwR97
— Itzhak Perlman (@PerlmanOfficial) August 16, 2016
Playing P. I. Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35. with the The Philadelphia Orchestra ? https://t.co/EcCUjfgDL9
— Itzhak Perlman (@PerlmanOfficial) August 12, 2016
Conducting Mozart in Berlin. pic.twitter.com/eTjGMXAC2s
— Itzhak Perlman (@PerlmanOfficial) August 9, 2016
Such and amazing time playing the National Anthem at the @Mets game. Thanks for having me! pic.twitter.com/rekLskNMJf
— Itzhak Perlman (@PerlmanOfficial) August 4, 2016
Such an honor. Helen Mirren @TheGenesisPrizepic.twitter.com/TPHFKxKO42
— Itzhak Perlman (@PerlmanOfficial) July 28, 2016
Follow Itzhak Perlman on Twitter @PerlmanOfficial
TOP: Itzhak Perlman plays the National Anthem before a Subway Series game pitting the Mets against the Yankees. | Photo: courtesy of the Mets organization