Performance

Itzhak Perlman was struck with polio as a child forever leaving him disabled.  As a man he walks with the aid of leg braces and crutches.  But as is often the case, human spirit wins over matter.  As many may know Perlman is considered to be one of the best violinists ever to play the instrument.  Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel Perlman and his family emigrated to the United States.  His first American performance was on the old Ed Sullivan Show.  Response to Perlman’s brilliance was swift.  Julliard was graced with his presence.  Playing in Carnegie Hall, winning multiple prestigious awards, being on stages around the world, Itzhak Perlman’s reputation grew.  He ultimately set himself apart from all other violinists when he changed musical arrangements to fit him as a performer. Heralded by experts around the world as one-of-a-kind, Perlman constantly enraptures audiences with both technical prowess and individual presence.

Recently I read a story about Perlman which left me slack jawed.  During a performance in New York City one of the strings on Perlman’s violin suddenly snapped.  The audience was stunned.  Many expected Perlman to stop and leave the stage.  Instead Itzhak Perlman, consummate musician, continued to play.  He adjusted the piece, creating and compensating as he went along.  When Perlman put down his bow at the end of the concert, a mighty roar of applause filled the hall.  Waiting for the applause to die down, he addressed the audience.  [Quote] “You know, sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.” [End quote][1]

How much can you make with what you have left?  Listen to this story.  “Alison Levine served as the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition.  She skied across the Arctic Circle to the geographic North Pole.  She made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile journey from west Antarctica to the South Pole.  She completed the Adventure Grand Slam—climbing the Seven Summits (highest peak on each continent) and skiing to both Poles, an accomplishment fewer than thirty people in the world can claim.  And get this: she accomplished all this despite the fact that she has had three heart surgeries and suffers from a neurological disease that causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather, leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite.”[2] When I read those words, I had no words.  All I could do was recall Itzhak Perlman’s comment for us all, “How much can you make with what you have left?”

For Moody Radio, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found.  To be broadcast on Moody Radio, October, 2011.

[1] Gilbert Meilaender, “Playing the Long Season,” First ThingsJune/July 2011, 19-20.

[2] https://michaelhyatt.com/an-interview-with-allison-levine.html