Perlman, Itzhak (1945- )

Israeli violinist. He is one of the great virtuosos of modern times, combining a brilliant technique and distinctive tone with concern for detail. His repertory spans the works of the 19th and 20th centuries. His interpretation of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D is considered his most notable performance. In 2001 he turned to conducting and became principal guest conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the following year joined the St Louis Symphony Orchestra as artistic advisor.

Perlman learned the violin after being crippled by polio and first performed publicly at the age of ten in Tel Aviv, Israel. He went to the Julliard School in New York City in 1958, where he studied under Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay (1917-2002). In 1964 he won the Leventritt Prize, placing him in the ranks of world violinists. He performed with several US orchestras before travelling on world tours, and received the US Medal of Freedom in 1986.