The Perlman Music Program broadcast a virtual Works in Progress concert Wednesday featuring selections from members of the PMP community in locations around the world.
Selections included a work by Chopin that the performer, pianist David Kadouch, likened to “dancing while you might be crying.”
PMP, which operates a summer program on Shelter Island and residencies in Israel and Florida, had a concert scheduled for Wednesday at Neue Galerie’s Cafe Sabarsky in Manhattan. But that had to be cancelled due a ban on gatherings during the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The virtual concert was announced for the same date. You can watch it here on PMP’s YouTube channel through Friday, March 27.
Greetings from PMP!
Toby and Itzhak Perlman introduced the program in a welcome message broadcast from their home computer.
“Welcome to our first virtual WIP,” said Toby Perlman, founder of the prestigious music instruction program that’s based on Shelter Island. “We’re going to try this out and see how it goes. I’m hoping that you’ll enjoy the music and enjoy seeing familiar faces. And I’m hoping that it’s just the first of many virtual activities PMP is going to do in the near future.”
“I’m going to enjoy it, too,” Itzak said.
Works in Progress is the name PMP gives to concerts performed by its students, some as young as age 13, as part of their classical music training. PMP hosts students from around the world at its summer campus on Shelter Island, and maintains connections with students throughout their careers.
At PMP, the students perform free weekly WIP concerts under a tent on the lawn. The notion is, musicians — at every age — benefit from working in front of a live and supportive audience as they hone their craft.
Virtual Works in Progress from around the world
Six acclaimed musicians, each with a connection to the Perlman Music Program, performed.
Arlen Husko, cello
First up was cellist Arlen Hlusko, who appeared from her family’s home in rural Ontario, Canada, where she said she was happy to be surrounded by family, snow, books, “and, of course, music.”
She played the prelude and sarabande from J.S. Bach’s Cello suite No. 1 in G Major - BWV 1007.
“For me, a big part of being able to get through all of this is turning to music, and I feel really lucky that I’m able to play every day, and be comforted by it,” she said.
Learn more about her at arlenhusk.com
Michelle Ross, violin
Violinist and composer Michelle Ross appeared from her home in New York City and performed an original piece called “Nadia” for violin and improvised piano electronics.
The title, Ross explained, is borrowed from the 1928 surrealist novel “Nadja” by André Breton. She said she was inspired by the Surrealists, particularly “they way they talk about the imagination begin a link for our own truth.”
“With our craft, we’re always trying to balance that relationship between having ultimate refinement and control, and being able to let go,” she said. “For me, improvising is a way to sort of weave in and out of that.”
She thanked PMP for “allowing this outlet of creativity and also community in this time.” Learn more about her at michellerossviolin.com.
“We have to have faith that music will give us the comfort and strength to get through all of this.”
Alice Abrahm, cello
Cellist Alice Abrahm, 17, performed from Ra’anana, Israel, where she is in quarantine with her parents. She played the courante from J.S. Bach’s Cello suite No. 3 in C Major - BWV 1009.
“I joined the PMP community two years ago and it changed my life completely, for the better,” she said. “I think it’s more important than ever that we lift each other up now and stay connected. This is a great opportunity to do that.”
Learn more about Alice Abrahm in this bio on the American-Israel Cultural Foundation website.
Sean Lee, violin
Sean Lee, participating from Rensselaer, NY, shared a recording he’d made at his home studio last week of the gigue from J.S. Bach’s violin Partita in E Major - BWV 1006.
“It’s full of light and I hope you’ll enjoy,” he said.
Lee has been a frequent visitor to Shelter Island, where’s also played for the Shelter Island Friends of Music, which gives five free concerts per season at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. Learn more about him at seanleeviolin.com.
David Kadouch, piano
Pianist David Kadouch joined in from Paris, France with F. Chopin’s Valse Op. 64, No. 2 in C sharp Minor. Kadouch said he selected the piece, which he usually saves for an encore, for its ghostlike quality.
“It has this reminiscence of all Polish sounds like Mazurka, Pollanise, that Chopin must have heard in his life and his childhood,” he said. “It brings this ghost quality almost, like ghosts of people that he must have loved, of a waltz that he must’ve heard in his life, together in this piece.
“It has this melancholic feeling and is also a waltz, so it’s this paradox between dancing while you might be crying,” he said. “I hope you’ll enjoy it. I send all of my love to Mr. Perlman and his wife who are so generous. I love them so much.”
Learn more about him at davidkadouch.com.
Laura Navasardian, cello
Cellist Laura Navasardian, 16, performed the third and fourth movements from E. Elgar’s cello concerto in E Minor, Op. 85 III. She was accompanied on piano by her mother, Lilit, from their home in Manhattan.
“It’s not the happiest piece,” she said. “I kinda look angry playing it so I’m trying to really smile for you guys right now.”