Perlman to Lead Suburban NY Orchestra

WHITE PLAINS — The violinist Itzhak Perlman has been appointed artistic director of the Westchester Philharmonic, a coup for the 25-year-old suburban orchestra.

Perlman, 62, will conduct most of the orchestra's programs for the three years beginning in September and will perform occasionally, the orchestra said Monday.

The orchestra holds its principal concerts at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Purchase College, about 30 miles from Perlman's New York City home. Its outgoing music director, Paul Lustig Dunkel, is a longtime friend of Perlman.

The violinist praised Dunkel, the orchestra members and the acoustics at Purchase. He said the programs he is planning will "surprise, stimulate and ultimately satisfy Westchester's demanding and sophisticated audiences."

Perlman, born in Israel, has appeared with every major orchestra and has conducted many of them. He has won four Emmy awards for his television appearances, which include "Sesame Street," late-night talk shows and a recent documentary about his work with the educational Perlman Music Program. His recordings have won 15 Grammy awards, and he was the violin soloist on the Oscar-winning movie "Schindler's List."

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