A little string music

摘要

Jack Riemer of the Houston Chronicle used to tell the story of a famous 1995 violin concert by Itzhak Perlman at Lincoln Center in New York City.Perlman,stricken with polio as a child,had to labor onto the stage with braces on bodi legs and crutches on both arms to produce his magic.But on this particular night,after he finally got into place,a string broke near the very beginning of the concert.Now everyone knows it is impossible to play a symphony with only three strings,but that night Perlman persevered.He improvised the piece,he cajoled the remaining three strings,and he somehow modulated a veritable masterpiece,bringing tears to the eyes of the audience and thunderous applause.After the concert,he was asked how in the world he was able to create such a marvel with only three strings.He replied,"You know,sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."