Violin virtuoso

I truly believe in the nature verses nurture theory when it applies to legendary musical geniuses. Consider then Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was not only playing daddy's pianoforte when barely a toddler but also composing complex musical compositions.

Sure the ivories were convenient, but nurture? Nah! Fast forward to the present and consider Itzhak Perlman, a violinist whose mastery of that instrument has brought him the kind of superstar standing rarely given any classical musician.

Perlman's fans (here in Naples) obviously agree because his concert at The Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Sunday, Feb. 12, has been sold out for weeks — maybe even months, when the Phil's subscribers read about it in the 2005-2006 season catalog! Hmm, maybe that's why Renee Fleming's concert was also a sellout?

Anyhow, it's no wonder that he is adored by concert goers across the globe who not only are moved by his extraordinary artistry but equally respond emotionally to the obvious uninhibited pleasure he gets from creating music.

He was born 1945 in Israel where he completed his studies at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv. Subsequently, he came to New York and first received international critical acclaim after an appearance on Ed Sullivan's TV show in 1958. His studies at the Juilliard School helped him win the high-status Leventritt Competition in 1964 and world-wide fame followed.

Where do you begin to describe his myriad talents and numerous honors? Suffice to say there's enough to fill a book and numerous publications. Universities and world leaders have honored him for his contributions to the humanitarian and cultural events which have shaped our lives. Suffice to say, he might prefer to be known for his educational activities as a teacher at the Perlman school of Music and his eloquent efforts on behalf of the disabled by public and personal appearances at concerts and in front of television cameras.

For me, his playing is so beautiful, so unique and technically exquisite, that my eyes can fill with tears when I listen to any one of the recordings that have earned him 15 Grammy awards! Maybe you'll understand why I think it's a good thing I won't be attending the concert.

Just so you don't feel left out either, I'll fill you in on selections listed in the evening's program:

Sonata No. 4 in C minor for Violin and Keyboard, BWV 1017, J.S. Bach (1685-1750) in four movements, Siciliano: Largo; Allegro; Adagio, ma non tanto; Allegro assai.

Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 13, by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), which Faure also composed in the classic sonata format. The lovely and lyrical composition concludes the first half of the program when there's a break for intermission.

I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said the audience breaks into thunderous applause when Perlman returns to the stage for the last half of the program. First he'll perform a work by one of America's foremost living composers and playwrights, Lucas Foss (1922-). Foss aptly named his composition Three American Pieces, in three movements: Early Song; Dedication, and Composer's Holiday, the most whimsical and spirited of the three.

Finally, Perlman's expressive artistry will be displayed in the simply titled Works to be announced from the stage composed by Fritz Kreisler, a famous violin virtuoso in his day (1875-1962) sometimes referred to as "legendary." Kriesler was an equally talented composer of demanding pieces for the violin, in addition to operettas (performed to critical acclaim on Broadway stages), a string quartet, and cadenzas including one for Beethoven's Violin Concerto still played by contemporary musicians. Arguably, I'd say these concluding Kreisler selections will be the emotional tour de force of the evening.