The Perlman Music Program would like to take the opportunity to remember a beloved friend of the Program, Dr. Marjorie Barnett, who passed away on April 2, 2009.
“What you experienced here for the first time and most of the rest of us experience at all these events is the electricity of high expectations met with the excitement of even greater fulfillment. It’s uncanny what music can do for people and especially in this kind of setting.”
- Dr. Marjorie Barnett
Dr. Barnett’s legacy of supporting and developing the talents of young classical musicians will continue to be cherished by all who knew and loved her.
In 2008, The Barnett Foundation partnered with The Perlman Music Program to identity emerging professional chamber ensembles. The Ariel String Quartet, Program alumni and 2008 participants of the Chamber Music Workshop, was awarded a $60,000 professional development grant and named the 2008 Barnett Fellows. In January 2008, the Quartet traveled to Chicago to perform for friends of The Barnett Foundation and performed Mozart’s Quartet in C Major K. 465 “Dissonant”; Beethoven’s Op. 130 in B flat Major; and Brahms’ Quartet Op. 59 No. 2 in A minor to an awe-stricken crowd.
Itzhak Perlman’s Memorial Service Tribute
Mr. Perlman honored Marje Barnett’s passion and devotion for music with a Tribute at her Memorial Service on June 8, 2009.
“Today we’re honoring the memory of a dear friend, Dr. Marjorie Barnett. Marje’s legacy is rooted in the commitment and energy she brought to all her many endeavors. An accomplished psychoanalyst and child psychiatrist, a devoted music lover, a quiet patron, a caring mother, a passionate tennis player, and a connoisseur of delicious food and fine wine (something she and I definitely shared in common!), Dr. Barnett’s zeal for life was unrivaled.
I first came to know Marje through her work at the A. N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation. My wife, Toby, started The Perlman Music Program fifteen years ago. Last year, we partnered with the Barnett Foundation to identify emerging professional chamber music ensembles that have the potential for successful careers. Marje is a kindred spirit and, like Toby and myself, was interested in fostering the growth of young musicians that demonstrate great artistic promise.
An example of this shared vision is our combined support of the Ariel Quartet, an extraordinary young string ensemble who started playing together when they were just twelve years old. The Ariels are undoubtedly one of the most promising young string quartets in the world today. However, moving from Israel to the United States to study and pursue their careers was extremely difficult financially, and there was even some question as to how long they would be able to remain in this country. Thanks to Marje’s bold vision, that was not a problem. After hearing them play Mozart and late Beethoven at one of the many concerts she hosted in her home, the Ariel Quartet received a substantial professional development grant from The Barnett Foundation and were named The Perlman Music Program’s first-ever Barnett Fellows.
What Marje did for the Ariel Quartet, she did for so many others. She recognized the importance of nurturing greatness, and provided young musicians with the support they needed at a critical time in their career. When, down the road, you read in the paper that the Ariel Quartet is making waves touring the world, we’ll all pause and think of Marje.
For me, the mark of a superior human being is someone who not only embraces life to the fullest, but also finds ways to help others do the same. Clearly, Dr. Barnett lived her life with this in mind.”
- Itzhak Perlman
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The Ariel Quartet (Amit Even-tov, Sasha Kazovsky, Gershon Gerchikov, and Serge Taraschansky) with Maureen Nash, Merry Peckham, and Dr. Marjorie Barnett.
