You can feel it from the first note — this isn’t just two violinists playing Shostakovich, it’s two masters inviting us into their private musical dialogue. Yes, technically only the final waltz is from Op. 97d, but what they create together transcends catalog numbers. At 2:36, Perlman casually lifts his hand and snaps his fingers — and the entire audience, mid-applause, falls silent. That moment says it all: this is control, respect, and artistry earned over decades. They may be aging men, but when the bows touch the strings, the music stays forever young.

Perlman & Zukerman Breathe Life into Shostakovich’s “Three Duets” at Intimate Chamber Showcase

In a riveting chamber music moment, legends Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman unite in a captivating performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Three Duets for Two Violins & Piano, Op. 97d (Praeludium, Gavotte & Waltzes), masterfully supported by pianist Rohan de Silva. Their seamless interaction—blending technical prowess and emotional depth—demonstrates why both artists are celebrated musical giants

Shostakovich’s duets began as café miniatures, deceptively light yet subtly intricate. The opening Praeludium offers nostalgic lyricism; the Gavotte dances with courtly elegance; the Waltzes shimmer with nostalgic charm—each movement a conversation woven through Perlman and Zukerman’s expressive intimacy

From the first unison note, Perlman’s warm phrasing meets Zukerman’s crystalline tone in perfect harmony. Their uncanny ensemble elevates these short works into emotionally resonant statements—like dear friends exchanging memories in tonal whispers and confident affirmations.

Though Op. 97d lasts just over seven minutes, this performance feels timeless—an exquisite chamber gem in which two virtuosos connect beyond mere technique. As listener accounts affirm, “if you remotely think Western Civilization is worth a damn, buy it and enjoy”—and this live rendition lives up to that praise

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