Jascha Heifetz was one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. He was born on February 2, 1901, in Vilnius, Lithuania, in what was then part of the Russian Empire. His parents were Jewish musicians and his father, Ruben Heifetz, was a violin teacher.
He made his public debut at the age of seven and was hailed as a child prodigy. His family moved to St. Petersburg, where he continued his studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, under the tutelage of the famous Russian violin teacher Leopold Auer. Heifetz was known for his remarkable technique and precise intonation, which developed under Auer’s rigorous training.
In 1917, Heifetz made his American debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. This performance launched his career as a soloist on the international stage, and he went on to perform with many of the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors. He became famous for his electrifying performances and his ability to tackle the most demanding pieces with finesse and sensitivity.
Heifetz was also an accomplished chamber musician, playing with legendary pianists such as Arthur Rubinstein and Emanuel Bay. He also formed the Heifetz-Piatigorsky concerts, together with his close friend, the cellist Gregor Piatigorsky.
During his career, Heifetz played on a number of violins, including the “Dolphin” Stradivarius, the “David” Guarneri del Gesù, and the “Heifetz-Piel” Guarneri del Gesù. His music repertoire included all of the major violin concertos, and he recorded for RCA Victor, Decca, and other major labels.
Heifetz was known for his intense dedication to his art, and he was known to practice for up to ten hours a day. He was also known for his perfectionism, often taking dozens of takes in the recording studio to get a piece just right. His contributions to violin technique, intonation, and phrasing continue to influence musicians today.
After retiring from the concert stage, Heifetz continued to teach violin, first at the University of Southern California, and later at the University of California in Los Angeles. He also founded the Jascha Heifetz Society to promote classical music and encourage young musicians.
Heifetz died in Los Angeles on December 10, 1987, at the age of 86. His legacy as one of the greatest violinists of all time continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.