Heifetz, Jascha << HY fehts, YAH shuh >> (1901-1987), was a Lithuanian-born violinist. From the time of his 1917 Carnegie Hall debut in New York City, his playing became the standard by which other violinists were measured. He recorded virtually all the great pieces written for violin and made many popular arrangements. They illustrate the highest achievement of violinistic and musical mastery. He often was the first person to play the works of contemporary composers.
Heifetz was born on Feb. 2, 1901, in Vilnius, in Lithuania. His career began almost as soon as he could hold a violin and bow. When he was 3 years of age, his father, a good violinist, began to teach him. At 5, Heifetz entered the Imperial School of Music in Vilna. He later studied with the famous teacher, Leopold Auer, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Heifetz began to play in public when he was 6. At 13, he made his debut in Berlin and won international fame. During the Russian Revolution, Heifetz escaped to the United States. He became an American citizen in 1925. He died on Dec. 10, 1987.
