Great Musicians of Our Time, Itzhak Perlman: Virtuoso Violinist
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 AM
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Sunday, Oct. 11, at 4 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 8 PM
This six-part series offers intimate portraits of six of the most influential and celebrated classical music artists: violinists Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman, guitarist Andrés Segovia, and pianists Vladimir Ashkenazy, Evgeny Kissin and Daniil Trifonov. Rich in archival footage and filled with candid moments, each episode is a historically important record of a great artist — mostly in their own words — as they reflect on their careers and dazzle with unforgettable performances from around the world. GREAT MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME opens with “Itzhak Perlman: Virtuoso Violinist” on Friday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 PM, followed by episode 2, “Pinchas Zukerman: Here to Make Music,” on Friday, Oct 16, at 9:30 PM. Additional episodes of the series premiere in 2027.
GREAT MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME is a tribute to the work of filmmaker Christopher Nupen, who emerged in the 1960s as a pioneer of a new genre of classical music film. Using the first lightweight, silent 16mm film camera, he recorded musicians in close quarters — both backstage and in concert — for the first time. The effects were dramatic, providing new and intimate insights into the workings of great artists and their music-making. Along with the exploding popularity of public television, his films brought music to many people for the first time in their lives.
Episode 1: “Itzhak Perlman: Virtuoso Violinist”
Shot over three years (1975-77), this remastered feature-length documentary shows Perlman at home in New York with his family; on tour in Europe with Pinchas Zukerman; playing Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen” with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, conducted by Lawrence Foster; in the studio with Vladimir Ashkenazy, recording Beethoven sonatas; playing Scott Joplin in Wuppertal with Bruno Canino; solo Bach at a BBC Lunchtime Concert in St. John’s, Smith Square, London and rehearsing, performing and teaching at the Aspen Music School in Colorado.
