Zara Nelsova, 84;Cellist Specialized in Ernest Bloch Works

Zara Nelsova, 84, a prominent cellist perhaps best known for her work with the composer Ernest Bloch, died Oct. 10 at her home in New York City. The cause of death was not announced.

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, to Russian parents, Nelsova began lessons at the age of 5. She made her solo debut at the age of 12 with the London Symphony Orchestra. She later returned to Canada, where she became the principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

She studied with Gregor Piatigorsky and Pablo Casals and made her U.S. debut in 1942.

Nelsova began studying Bloch’s cello works with him in the late 1940s. He dedicated two of his three suites for unaccompanied cello to her. Nelsova toured for several years with American concert pianist Grant Johannesen, who was her husband for several years.

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Harry Bingham, who managed Van Eck International Investors Gold Fund, the first U.S. gold-based mutual fund, died Sunday of cancer at a New York City hospital. The San Francisco native was 71.