Heifetz, Vladimir, 1893-1970

Vladimir Heifetz (1893-1970) was a Russian-American pianist and composer, lecturer, organist, and choir director in New York and elsewhere, and an arranger for television, radio and motion pictures. He was educated at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music and was accompanist for Feodor Chaliapin. Heifetz was director for many years of the Farband Culture Chorus, and music and choir director of Temple Anshe Chesed in New York. He created 300 compositions on Jewish themes, as well as, Maize Le Moize, an opera, and an oratorio and a number of cantatas. He wrote the music for two motion pictures and put to music the words of “Babi Yar,” by the Soviet poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and “Shofar” by Nellie Sachs. One of his ensembles, the Heifetz Singers broadcast a series of programs over CBS and in 1935 they toured America. He was the son of the first violinist, Ephim Heifetz, who performed in the Czar’s Court for a period of 12 years. His brother was the famous cellist Benor Heifetz. He was the cousin of the world-famed violinist, Jascha Heifetz. He died on May 5, 1970 of a heart attack while he accompanied Sidor Belarsky in Deer Park, Long Island, N.Y. Source “Vladimir Heifetz, Pianist, dies at 76”, The New York Times, May 6, 1970. p.43.

From the guide to the Vladimir Heifetz papers, 1922-1970, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

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