Jascha Heifetz

Birth Name:

Jascha Heifetz

Birth Place:

Vilnius, Lithuania

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department

Was fiercely patriotic and toured with the USO during World War II, barely avoiding Hitler's advancing forces in Austria during a European tour in 1938
Graduated from the school of music in Vilnius and went on to study with Leopold Auer at the St․ Petersburg Conservatory
Made his impressive debut at Carnegie Hall when he was only 16 years old after his family moved to the U․S․ to escape the Russian Revolution
Began playing the violin at the age of 3, receiving his first instrument from his father, who was also a violinist and music teacher
Quote: "[An artist must have] the nerves of a bullfighter, the vitality of a night-club hostess and the concentration of a Buddhist monk․"
After an injury to his shoulder ended his performing career, he taught violin students for more than 20 years at USC, UCLA, and his home studio
Published a number of songs, including "When You Make Love to Me" and "So Much in Love," under the pseudonym Jim Hoyl
Best known as a violinist who was regarded as the greatest violin virtuoso since Niccolo Paganini
In addition to his live performing career, he also recorded extensively across several genres, from classical to Gypsy melodies and as both a soloist and chamber musician
Appeared in the 1938 film "They Shall Have Music," in which his only line was "Yes, that's the violin․"

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