The Israel Philharmonic has sent an ‘important notice’ to subscribers, informing them that old pal Itzhak Perlman has pulled out of its very last concert this weekend with the retiring music director Zubin Mehta.
No reason specified.
Yefim Bronfman jumps in.
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Yay for Fima. Who could ask for anything more
I thought Mehta had retired from IPO. What was Perlman supposed to have played ?
I heard IPO and Mehta in Paris last month – wonderful !
I could — every time I have been to a Bronfman concert he has bashed the keys to the point of eliminating all the musicality I feel sure he is capable of. He is off my visiting list.
And I would consider him a feeble sub for Perlman. But rather than another violinist it looks as if they went for a member of the gang.
Perlman should have offered a reason whether true or false. Looks bad.
Hopefully, nothing is wrong with Perlman’s health !
One is a violinist, the other, a pianist. How can Mr. Bronfman jump in?
Beethoven violin concerto also exists in a piano concerto form, so a program featuring that could go on without change, if the piano soloist knew it. But the IPO (and Mehta) could probably handle switching to a different concerto without much difficulty, as most orchestras play a different concerto every week, with little need for rehearsal. The soloist usually doesn’t show up prior to the dress rehearsal. Both the original choice and the replacement will be works orchestra, conductor, and soloist have all done countless times, though perhaps this might be the first time they have done it together.
I think the orchestra is pretty good at sight-reading. (cue laughter).
He must have got a good reason.
Perlman plays almost exclusively in US and hates travelling more than ever. Plus he’s 74 and his wife (who has had a couple of sets of cancer treatment) is a bit older.
BTW: the program was originally billed as
Beethoven: Romance no. 1 in G major
Beethoven: Romance no. 2 in F major
Kreisler: Liebesleid
John Williams: Theme music from Schindler’s List
Kreisler: Liebesfreud
Mahler: Symphony no. 2 (“Resurrection”)
Perhaps on balance he decided that the problems he has with long distance travel and a pretty lightweight program (his share of it that is) just did not make sense. Maybe a major concerto would have made him decide differently. Maybe not.
He talks about the concert with Mehta AND his extreme problems with air travel in this recent interview:
https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/304292/itzhak-perlman-to-play-socal-on-national-tour/
I didn’t know Mrs. Perlman was ill. I’ve seen her out and about on the Upper West Side. Speedy recovery to her !!
Zubin Mehta is a excellent musician and even God’s dance at his music in heaven.
Go Zubin! xo