A superstar is coming to Penn State, and despite the date of his arrival, it's no April fool's joke. Violinist Itzhak Perlman is returning to the Eisenhower Auditorium after 14 years.
Though his name may be foreign to those outside of classical music spheres, do not let that fool you. James Lyon, violinist and music professor at Penn State, said he is sure everyone has heard [Perlman] at some point.
"He is often called in for solos in movie scores. Everyone has heard him in the movies, I can guarantee it," Lyon said.
George Trudeau, director of the Center for the Performing Arts (CPA), said the center has been working for a number of years to bring Perlman back to Eisenhower.
"I think it is safe to say that [Perlman] is the greatest violinist in the world presently. He has a sound of his own, and it is amazing to hear him play," Trudeau said.
Tuesday night, students can catch the Grammy-winner when Perlman performs a concert rescheduled from last September. Lyon said Perlman's age was most likely a factor in the cancellation.
"He is getting older -- aren't we all? And I think because of that, certain things are more prone to affect him," Lyon said.
Lyon said he greatly respects Perlman for all he has overcome in his life. Perlman contracted polio at the age of 4, and although he made a good recovery, he generally uses crutches for mobility and plays the violin seated. Despite his illness, Lyon said it was most likely not the cause of the cancellation.
"He is an incredible spokesman for anyone with disabilities," Lyon said. "He has struggled against the odds, and I think people feel they can relate to him. He hasn't had his life handed to him on a silver platter."
Perlman, an Israeli-born musician, will perform with pianist Rohan De Silva, a native of Sri Lanka, and, like Perlman, a faculty member at The Juilliard School in New York City. They frequently perform together in recitals.
Laura Sullivan, marketing and communications director for CPA, said this concert is the highlight of the season.
"This is a rare opportunity to hear the most incredible classical performer. And the student price is incredible. It is a chance you shouldn't miss," she said. "Whether or not you love classical music, you can sit and enjoy it. Everyone can appreciate his musical caliber."
Prior to the show, Lyon will host Artistic Viewpoints, a short program that he hopes will make the music more accessible to the audience.
"This is to get the audience to respond to the music by making it familiar to them," Lyon said. "I want to make the audience prepared with a list of things to request from Itzhak, pieces that he plays particularly well and are identified with."
Lyon said the show will also come with "surprises." There have only been three announced pieces. The scheduled program includes J. S. Bach's Sonata No. 3 in E Major for Violin and Keyboard, R. Strauss' Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat Major and Poulenc's Sonata for Violin and Piano. The rest are up in the air.
"[Perlman] will come out with a big stack of music and may even take requests from the audience," Lyon said. "It adds a level of spontaneity to the show."
Lyon said Perlman has become such a popular musician because he doesn't take himself too seriously and is very genuine.
"He plays pretty well. That helps. But he also has a great sense of humor and his music-making reflects a rich and varied life that he has lived," Lyon said.
Lyon said students shouldn't be afraid to come to the concert because Perlman himself is not inclined to be formal.
"I want them to leave thinking there is something they can identify with," Lyon said. "Great music is like a time capsule: It can take you back in time to feel the emotions that people felt in the time of the composer. It's true of music at any age."
