Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
For me, Itzhak Perlman is one of the defining violinists of the last century, and not merely for technique. Born in Jaffa and struck by polio as a child, he plays seated, yet his tone is the most singing, generous sound I know. His haunting theme for Schindler's List alone would secure his place, but the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom and Kennedy Center Honors confirm a career beyond category. What stays with me is his warmth: he makes the instrument speak rather than merely dazzle. Every time I hear him, I am reminded that great music is a form of prayer.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Itzhak Perlman
- Name (Japanese)
- イツァーク・パールマン
- Reading
- いつぁーく・ぱーるまん
- Born
- August 31, 1945 (age 80)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Rooster
- Origin
- Jaffa, Mandatory Palestine
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- violinist / conductor / professor / pedagogue
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- National Medal of Arts
- 2008 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Library of Congress Living Legend
- Medal of Liberty
- 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Kennedy Center Honors
- 1977 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with orchestra)
- 1980 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra)
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Schindler's List | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Itzhak Perlman born?
Born August 31, 1945 (age 80).
Where is Itzhak Perlman from?
Itzhak Perlman is from Jaffa, Mandatory Palestine.
What does Itzhak Perlman do?
Itzhak Perlman works as violinist, conductor, professor, pedagogue.
What is Itzhak Perlman known for?
Notable works include Schindler's List.
Violinist — see all → · Conductor — see all →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.