On May 9, a group of 7 head from NY city to the ICCC. Wether artists or just art-lovers we were to spend the day at the school of two of the greatest violonists of this past (and present) century: Yehudi Menuhin and Itzhak Perlman... present with us in spirit if not in body! Two great virtuosi, not only technically, but also, as it were, “virtuosi of life”. As Dorothy DeLay stated about her teaching relationship to young Perlman, “His art would be a reflection of his life”... Yet if they achieved such fulfilment it is not primarily through hard working or steady discipline. Nor is art merely an innate gift reserved to a small number of people... Contrary to that opinion, the examples of Yehudi Menuhin and Itzhak Perlman reveal us a different way into the world of beauty: the way of discipleship. To achieve greatness they dared to remain like children, filled with awe at the sight of beauty, shaping their lives according to the beauty they encountered: wether it was through the scores of great composers, in the face of their masters ...anywhere!
After the introductory talk, the “Art Seminar” proceeded with a slightly different insight - a very tasty one- on beauty, thanks to the delicious meal prepared by Rev. Thierry de Roucy. In the afternoon, we walked up the hill of the ICCC, particularly beautiful in this early springtime, accompanied by our friend the painter Jorg Madlener. Back home we screened a video on Perlman and klezmer music, way back in Poland where it all started. A discussion followed about “the master”. We need him or her to introduce us to art and beauty “by compelling example if not by words”, yet how exceptional the encounter with such a master is! An encounter we long for, an encounter that endows the artist with a new responsability: that of becoming himself a master to those still waiting for support and guidance. On our way back to New York, the zipcar got filled with joy and laughter, a genuine joy that arose from a genuine encounter!
Do not hesitate to pass by and spend some time at the ICCC, just contact the ICCC!
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