Albert Dominguez; Pianist Helped Found Chamber Music Society

Albert Dominguez, a founding member of the Southwest Chamber Music Society and an accompanist for such legendary musical figures as Jascha Heifetz, Gregor Piatigorsky, Marilyn Niska and Lily Pons, has died.

A spokeswoman for the society said Thursday that Dominguez died in a Burbank hospital on Wednesday of pancreatic cancer. The pianist, who appeared with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Roger Wagner Chorale for 27 years, was 48.

Born in Indio, he was one of four children of a rancher father who determined that they would have musical educations. He studied at USC where he came into contact with Heifetz, who taught master classes there. Dominguez was to go on to his own academic career, teaching at Mt. San Antonio College from 1982 to 1987.

He also was featured on local radio, appearing regularly on KUSC’s “Music of the Hispanic World” and “Sundays at Four.”

In addition to his work with the chamber music society he was a featured soloist with the Seal Beach Chamber Music Festival.

Survivors include his mother, Margaret, a brother and two sisters. In lieu of flowers they ask contributions to an Albert Dominguez Memorial Fund at the Southwest Chamber Music Society, P.O. Box 94474, Pasadena 91109.

A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena on Saturday at 4 p.m.