Itzhak Perlman And Tough Times
Yesterday in church, Pastor B talked a little bit about Itzhak Perlman, one of the world's greatest violinists, who was stricken with polio when he was four years old, and lost much of the use of his legs as a result.Perlman has never really let that slow him down, though...since the polio affected his legs, not his arms and hands, it didn't stop him from becoming a virtuoso on the violin. In fact, his polio may have improved his violin playing skills; he probably had more time to devote to pracice since he wasn't out running about playing hide and seek with the other children.
Pastor B's point was that often our difficult circumstances can transform our lives in a way that is both unexpected and beautiful. Very true, although hard to see when you're going through it...I'm sure Perlman wasn't happy about being a polio victim when he was a four year old child. He probably still has pangs of regret about it, but at the same time, I suspect he is able to appreciate the beauty it has built into his life.
I would be very interested to hear Perlman comment on his polio and how it has affected his life, both for good and for ill. I ran some searches this morning, but haven't found anything yet, other than an urban legend in which Perlman supposedly played an entire violin concerto with one broken string on his violin, and then, when he was all done, said: "You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."
It's a great story. Pity it's not true.
Posted On Apr 25, 2005 at 6:01 AM
On Apr 25, 2005 Tina Corriveau wrote: Wow that is a great story. Hey the other thing that I thought was funny was that we have a kid in our band with the last name Perlman. Yeah his dad is a docter at CMMC hospital.
Doug Replied: HA! It must go with the name. I wish my name was Perlman!
|
Doug's Random ThoughtsEverything from Soup to Nuts,And Maybe Even More! ABOUT ME Current PostsBlog Is Moving...Emergency Room Last Entry Join The Chorus Jeorge Sings A Hymn 
|