Big Finale For Maestro Isaac Stern, 80
Sunday night, the big finale was held in a string of birthday celebrations for master violinist Isaac Stern, who turned 80 in July.
Some of the most extraordinary musical talent of our time paid tribute to him at Carnegie Hall: Yo-Yo Ma, Pinchas Zuckerman and Midori. Stern's two sons conducted, his daughter spoke, and many fans and friends sang "Happy Birthday" to the legendary musician.
In the midst of this very busy weekend, CBS News Early Show Co-Anchor Jane Clayson spent a few amazing hours in Isaac Stern's New York City apartment where he reflected on the latest milestone in his extraordinary life.
It was the first interview with Stern since he had major heart surgery just four weeks ago.
Stern said he doesn't feel 80. "I cannot complain...I am a musician. Without music, I don't exist. It is the center of my life, and, yet, it is also the center of a civilized life."
Music has been the center of Isaac Stern's life since he was 8 years old. He is now recognized as one of the most celebrated artists of our time with more than 100 recordings.
"I think most of all is that I have a certain gift of saying something to people with music that, I think, touches them because it touches me," said Stern.
"Once in a while, when we're on stage and we're playing of course, and we take off…and we just go with it. And you've said something, you don't know why, you've been through something, but that's what music is all about."
Stern has mentored some of the world's most gifted musicians. But he also made it his life mission to save a national treasure -- Carnegie Hall.
"Carnegie Hall is not a building. Carnegie Hall is one of the few places that is synonymous worldwide with the United States," said Stern, who has been president of the concert arena. "Carnegie Hall…any accent, anyway you say it, everyone knows where it is. And everyone wants to come there."
When, some years ago, people were talking of tearing down Carnegie Hall, Stern's response was, "You can't. You can't. You can't. What are you talking about? You cannot do that. And they didn't."