Dear Language Enthusiast,
Welcome to the Hebrew Monthly,
the Internet newsletter from Transparent Language. In
this issue, we focus on a topic of universal interest:
entertainment and entertainers. Across the globe,
people look for new ways to enjoy free time with
family and friends, and often discussing the glamorous
lives of film stars, musicians, and celebrities
becomes entertainment itself. You may not think of
Israel as a land of celebrities, but it has plenty of
stars in the world of classical music. I hope you'll
find this month's article fun, as well as effective in
building your language skills.
Sincerely,
Transparent Language
www.transparent.com
In English:
Small in area and population, Israel is a giant in
producing violin superstars. This month, we feature
three great violinists who were born in or grew up in
Israel.
Too often, classical music has a restricted audience.
Itzhak Perlman has gone a long way toward changing
that. In addition to concert appearances and
performances on public television, Perlman has
appeared in a number of venues not normally associated
with the violin, starting with his debut on the "Ed
Sullivan Show" in 1958; he was 13 at the time. Perlman
has since brought his music to television on shows
ranging from "Sesame Street" to the "Tonight Show." His
playing also touched millions through his recording
for the score of the 1993 movie "Schindler's List."
A native of Tel Aviv, Perlman began studying violin
there and had his first solo recital in Israel at the
age of ten. He now lives in the United States, but
remains involved with Israeli and Jewish music.
Perlman joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on
its first tour of Eastern Europe in 1987. In 1995, he
went to Poland to perform and to meet other musicians
as he explored klezmer, the instrumental music of
Eastern European Jews.
Perhaps Tel Aviv breeds violinists, because it is also
the birthplace of Pinchas Zukerman, born in 1948.
Zukerman first trained with his father, studying
clarinet and recorder before changing to the violin.
He made his conducting debut at the age of 22, leading
the English Chamber Orchestra. Today, Zukerman is
known for conducting and teaching as well as his solo
and chamber music performances on the violin and
viola. His recordings have received 21 Grammy
nominations and two awards.
Zukerman is known as a generous teacher who is very
giving of his time. For this reason, he actively
supports efforts to bring distance learning technology
into music teaching. This enables him to remain in
continuous contact with students even as he circles
the globe to perform.
While the careers of Perlman and Zukerman were taking
off, a new violinist was taking his first steps.
Although he was born in the United States, Gil Shaham
grew up in Israel, where he made his début with the
Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra at the age of ten. Soon
after, he made his début with the Israel Philharmonic,
despite beginning his studies at the "late" age of
seven.
Shaham's family attempted to keep his life a normal
one, and he attended a regular high school while
studying at the Julliard School of Music in the 1980s.
However, Shaham's career sometimes took precedence. He
recalls an occasion in 1989, when he was called out of
a high-school exam. Reporting to the principal's
office, he learned that Itzhak Perlman was ill and
that concert organizers wanted him to fly to London
and perform in Perlman's place that night.
Shaham also works to extend the reach of the violin
beyond the usual circle of classical music listeners.
His projects include a 1994 music video based on his
recording of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" with the Orpheus
Chamber Orchestra.
With Shaham almost at the ripe old age of 30, Israel
is preparing a new generation of great violinists.
Keep an eye out for a continued tradition of stringed
excellence.
Sources:
BMG Music
Deutsche Grammophon
Prairie Home Companion
www.encyclopedia.com
www.milwaukeesymphony.org
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