Child prodigy is a curse because you've got all those terrible possibilities.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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Competition can be the most nerve-racking experience. Some people just thrive on it.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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Any gifted child can potentially get in real trouble because of the way they are handled.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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There are people who are uncanny, who are finished products at a young age. I wasn't, thank God.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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One of the most important elements in teaching, conducting, and performing, all three, is listening.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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A sponge has that much absorbent capability and after a while you can pour water over it and nothing stays.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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I am playing the violin, that's all I know, nothing else, no education, no nothing. You just practice every day.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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For every child prodigy that you know about, at least 50 potential ones have burned out before you even heard about them.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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I don't feel that the conductor has real power. The orchestra has the power, and every member of it knows instantaneously if you're just beating time.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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Another thing that I don't like to do is show too much how it goes. I do it once in a blue moon. Sometimes there are lessons when I don't pick up a violin at all.

quote by Itzhak Perlman
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