Itzhak

Marie and I bought tickets to the symphony as they had a special guest, Itzhak Perlman. I was in middle school when I first heard the Schindler's List soundtrack and began to appreciate his work. I have seen him numerous times on television and he was at the Innaguration this year. We showed up as the doors were closing and ran to our seats. The orchestra was a lot smaller than we were used to. They tuned and the doors opened on the side of the stage. Thunderous applause and a standing ovation welcomed the special guest, who has limited use of his legs so he uses crutches attached to his arms. His labored walk to the front only made the crowd cheer louder in anticipation for getting to hear his violin.

They began quickly, and danced through the first song. 16 minutes may seem like a long song, but when you are listening to such amazing music, it went by in a flash. It was the first symphony I had attended that people clapped between every movement.

Mr. Perlman walked off to a standing ovation, came back for a curtain call, and then we all realized,...thats it. We won't get to hear any more. A larger group came out, and Itzhak conducted a piece by Schubert. He told the audience that Schubert told him he did not want the clapping between each movement. He was ok with it, but Schubert wouldn't let us.

There was an intermission and then he came back out to conduct a Brahms Symphony. This was the first time I had been to a symphony that I had not heard any of the pieces played prior. The Brahms was fun, the first movement was 20 minutes long and there were hints to his lullaby.

Marie and I feel cultured. We have been to three symphony concerts this season, a ballet and a few other concerts. Next season there are some great ones including Beethoven's 5th, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and Itzhak is coming back.