The Nineties in America - Salem Press (2009)

classical music during the decade, winning a
Grammy Award in 1991 for his recording ofBrahms:
The Three Violin Sonatasand an Academy Award for
his work on the score of the 1993 filmSchindler’s List.
Perlman had also begun to explore music from
other genres, collaborating with jazz pianist Oscar
Peterson on the 1994 albumSide by Sideand per-
forming traditional Jewish klezmer music. His forays
into other musical genres led some classical music
purists to conclude that his best work was behind
him; yet his appeal among popular audiences con-
tinued to grow.
Throughout the 1990’s, Perlman also maintained
a long-standing dedication to classical music educa-
tion for children. In 1995, he founded the Perlman
Summer Music Program, which sponsors the in-

struction of musically gifted children,

and often participated personally in

this program as a teacher and conduc-

tor. His appearances on children’s tele-

vision programs also raised awareness

of classical music among young Ameri-

cans. In addition, Perlman supported

aid and musical education for disabled

children through several foundations

and scholarship programs, and he ad-

vocated for the rights of the disabled

by speaking out against lags in imple-

mentation of the Americans with Dis-

abilities Act of 1990 and by insisting

upon performing only in concert halls

offering full accessability to disabled

patrons and performers.

Impact Through numerous television

appearances and charitable projects,

Perlman exposed classical music to a

wider audience during the 1990’s, con-

veying a public image that contradicted

the popular stereotype of the elitist clas-

sical musician. His virtuosity and promi-

nence in the American media also

served to dispel stereotypes of disabled

persons and call attention to issues af-

fecting the disabled. At the end of the

twentieth century, Perlman remained a vibrant force

both in classical music and in American popular cul-

ture.

Further Reading

Behrman, Carol H.Fiddler to the World: The Inspiring

Life of Itzhak Perlman. White Hall, Va.: Shoe Tree

Press, 1992.

Morin, Alexander.Classical Music: Third Ear—The Es-

sential Listening Companion. San Francisco: Back-

beat Books, 2001.

Michael H. Burchett

See also Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

Classical music; Jewish Americans; Music;Schindler’s

List.

The Nineties in America Perlman, Itzhak
663

Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman performs with the klezmer group Brave Old
World at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, on July 2, 1996. Perlman helped
raise awareness of classical music among popular audiences.(AP/Wide World
Photos)