Remembering Jascha Heifetz

The death of violinist Jascha Heifetz marks the end of an era in more ways than one. During and after World War II, many of the most illustrious musicians took up residence in Southern California as exiles, refugees, expatriates, immigrants. At one and the same time, composers Stravinsky and Schoenberg lived here, as did composer-pianist Rachmaninoff, pianist Rubinstein, conductors Stokowski, Walter, Klemperer, cellist Piatigorsky, violist Primrose, violinist Szigeti and other luminaries with whom the layman might be less familiar.

Of all these giants, Jascha Heifetz was the last survivor. Now that he is gone, too, we can look upon this bygone era with nostalgia and sorrow.

HENRI TEMIANKA

Los Angeles