Jascha Heifetz
Jascha Heifetz was the leading figure among the extraordinary group of Russian Jews who dominated violin playing in the second and third quarters of the 20th century. As a technician he had no superior, and, of all the artists of his time and later, only two or three could even offer a challenge to his electrifying precision of execution. His diamond-point tone and quick vibrato afforded his playing a clarity of line that some felt was almost too perfect, even cold. Most conductors and other violinists -- and audiences -- felt differently and a Heifetz concert inevitably drew sell-out crowds.
Heifetz was born in Vilna, where his father Ruvim was a violinist in the city theater. When he was three, his father bought for him a quarter-size instrument and gave him beginning instruction. By the age of five, Heifetz had advanced enough to enter the Vilna Conservatory, where he began instruction under Elias Malkin. Only a year later, Heifetz made his first public appearance performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. The six-year-old was so successful that offers for other appearances came from numerous other venues in Russia and he was hailed as a real prodigy.
When Leopold Auer, then a famous professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, came to Vilna in 1909, he was persuaded by Malkin to listen to Heifetz. After hearing him in Mendelssohn and Paganini, Auer embraced him and predicted for him a splendid future, urging him to come to St. Petersburg and become his pupil.
Ruvim Heifetz resigned his position, sold the family belongings, and took his son to St. Petersburg, but Auer initially failed to recognize the boy and refused him admittance to his home. By the time Auer realized his error, the Conservatory entrance deadline had passed and Jascha had to enroll in the class of an assistant. Six months later, however, Heifetz was able enter Auer's class, and thereafter his progress was astounding.
During an appearance at the International Exposition in Odessa, the reception accorded Heifetz was so explosive that a police escort was needed afterward. Concerts throughout Europe followed immediately and, at an appearance with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1914, conductor Artur Nikisch declared that he had never heard violin playing such as his.
Heifetz's American debut took place at Carnegie Hall in 1917, eliciting such observations as "only the molten gold of Fritz Kreisler can be conjured up in comparison" (Herbert F. Peyser) and "He is a modern miracle" (Pitts Sanborn). The ensuing year brought triumph after triumph, with critics vying with each other to offer the most extravagant superlatives. A period of transition a few years later brought some critical reservations as Heifetz sought to move away from the overt emotionalism of his Russian training and become a more objective player. By the mid-1920s, however, a balance had been struck and once again accolades flew as critics and audiences noted a new, more mature approach to his music.
Heifetz became an American citizen, settled in California, and enjoyed the benefit of a long-term recording contract with RCA, amassing a sizable discography over the years. Throughout his career, Heifetz favored gut strings, perhaps to temper the fine-edged aggressiveness of his attack and the enormous strength of his bowing arm. Early recordings of concertos, made mostly overseas, were gradually redone -- though not supplanted -- with American orchestras and in improved sound. Nonetheless, many of the earlier releases, despite their having been done in short takes required by 78-rpm discs, still compel attention for their unsurpassed mastery.
© Erik Eriksson /TiVo
-
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor; Schubert: Violin Sonatina in G Minor; Bach: Partita No. 2 in D Minor, Chaconne
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 11 nov. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Piano Trio Collection - Schubert: Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, D. 929 - Brahms: Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87 ((Heifetz Remastered))
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 1 jan. 1994
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Korngold: Violin Concerto, Op. 35, in D, Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 14 nov. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Heifetz Collection; Volume 17; Bach: Sonatas & Partitas
Klassiek - Released by RCA Gold Seal on 13 mrt. 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heifetz: Encores
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 28 okt. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jascha Heifetz - Original Jacket Collection
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 5 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Heifetz Collection - Vol. 1 (1917 - 1924); The Complete Acoustic Recordings (1990 Remastered)
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 11 nov. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvorák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81 - Franck: Piano Quintet in F Minor ((Heifetz Remastered))
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 22 jul. 2016
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart, Tchaikovsky & Glazunov: Violin Concertos
Jascha Heifetz, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 26 jun. 2020
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D; Chausson: Poeme; Bruch: Scottish Fantasy
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 11 nov. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sibelius, Prokofiev, Glazunov: Violin Concertos
Klassiek - Released by Living Stereo on 12 jan. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jascha Heifetz plays Sonatas for Violin
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 26 feb. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heifetz Encores
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 25 nov. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tchaikovsky Piano Trio Op.50
Jascha Heifetz, Arthur Rubinstein, Gregor Piatigorsky
Klassiek - Released by In Vinyl We Trust on 13 okt. 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77 by Jascha Heifetz (2023 Remastered, Chicago 1955)
Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO)
Klassiek - Released by Alexandre Bak - Classical Music Reference Recording on 17 okt. 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61
Concertmuziek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 1 jan. 1959
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: "Archduke" Piano Trio No. 7, in B Flat major, Op. 97 (1999 Remastered Version)
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 31 dec. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Piano Trio Collection - Mendelssohn: Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66 - Arensky: Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 32 - Turina: Trio No. 1, Op. 35 ((Heifetz Remastered))
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 22 jul. 2016
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Piano Trio Collection - Beethoven: Trio No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 1 & Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 70 ((Heifetz Remastered))
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 22 jul. 2016
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Sarasate: Airs bohémiens (Mono Version)
Jascha Heifetz, RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, William Steinberg
Divers - Released by BNF Collection on 1 jan. 1953
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Ravel: Trio en la mineur; Mendelssohn: Trio no. 1 en ré mineur, Op. 49
Klassiek - Released by RCA Red Seal on 31 dec. 2010
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo