Description
The collection contains primarily sound
recordings of performances of Jascha Heifetz, but it also includes recordings of other
artists, some of whom were collaborators with Heifetz, as well as one recording of his
teacher, Leopold Auer. There are 924 recordings on 10" and 12" sound discs, including test
pressings, instantaneous discs and commercially released records. Most of the discs are 78
rpm recordings, but there are also a few 33 1/2 rpm 12" discs. In addition to audio discs,
the collection contains 88 recordings on magnetic tape which consist of 1/4" tape on 10"
reels. 61 of the tapes were made between December 14, 1954 and November 21, 1972. 27 of the
tapes are undated. The collection also includes a computer-generated inventory of the
collection prepared by the donor.
Background
Jascha Heifetz, legendary American violinist, was born in Vilnius on February 2, 1901. His
first teacher was his own father, but he also studied with Elias Malkin before being
accepted into the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1910. He studied first with Leopold Auer’s
assistant, Nalbandyan, and then with Auer himself. Heifetz had impressed audiences from the
age of six when he performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. At the age of ten he performed
in St. Petersburg, and his highly successful Berlin debut took place on May 23, 1912. Later
that same year he performed with the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Arthur
Nikisch. In 1917 Heifetz was offered the opportunity to perform a concert tour of the United
States, and on October 27 that year he made his Carnegie Hall debut. In 1925 Heifetz became
an American citizen.
Extent
27 box(es)
22 boxes of 10" and 12" sound discs; 5 boxes of 12" open reel
tapes
Restrictions
Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the
creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the
Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.
Availability
Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of
intended use. Contact the Archive for assistance.