“Though her playing sounds flawless to listeners, acclaimed cellist Alisa Weilerstein doesn’t strive for perfection in her performances.

 ‘I don’t think perfection really exists. It only exists is a very rudimentary sense, to say, “OK, you’ve played every note right.” But for what?’ Weilerstein laughs. ‘It doesn’t mean anything … To be connected intellectually, as well as emotionally — that’s what you strive for. For me, it’s always been about trying to achieve an intellectual and emotional balance. I’m going to be working on that my whole life.’”