See Also: Heifetz, Jascha(encyclopedia)

Heifetz, Jascha (sh)




born Feb. 2, 1901, Vilnius, Lithuania, Russian Empire
died Dec. 10, 1987, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.

Lithuanian-born U.S. violinist.

He studied with his father from age five, performing Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto at age eight. From 1909 to 1914, although it was illegal for a Jew to live in St. Petersburg, he studied there with Leopold Auer (1845-1930). He immigrated to the U.S. in 1917, where for many years he performed in a trio with Artur Rubinstein and Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-76). His impeccable technique and musical flair made him perhaps the world's most famous violinist. He retired in 1972, having taught at the University of Southern California from 1959.