Page 90 - issue
P. 90
was one of the top prize-winners in Mr. Heifetz was the first American be flexible,” says Mr. Heifetz, who
the Tchaikovsky International to take classical music into a prison. admits that as he has grown in his
Competition in Moscow, securing his “The prisoners laughed at me, at first, Yiddishkeit the depth of his musical
international career. He was in when I told them I wanted to play expression has grown deeper. “One
Moscow during the Ginsburg- Jewish soul music for them. But then I door closes, and you look to see if
Sharansky trials and, unbeknownst to told them about myself – how my another door opens up. When I real-
the watchful eyes of the KGB, donated mother was a refugee from Hitler, how ized that I couldn’t continue perform-
his prize money to the Ginsburg and my relatives went to the gas chambers, ing, I decided to redirect my creative
Sharansky families. He also performed and how the music of one persecuted energies. Since the hallmark of my
a Jewish piece at the Gala Winners’ minority group can be of comfort to artistry was emotional communica-
Concert, which inspired an anti-Soviet another persecuted minority group. tion, I thought about the fact that no
government demonstration in the con- An African-American raised his fist one was teaching that in any of the
cert hall. and shouted, ‘Right on, brother,’ and I conservatories. I created Heifetz
played a Jewish piece at the prison. Performance and Communication
Enveloped in Light The prisoners were so touched that Training©, part of the Heifetz
What does playing the violin do for Mr. they were crying. The focus for me, International Music Institute, in
Heifetz? with the violin, was to communicate Staunton, Virginia. It has become one
emotion that could touch people.” of the most sought-after summer pro-
“The closest moment I’ve ever felt grams in the classical music world.
to Hashem was when I was performing A New Door This is where string players can take
on that violin and feeling that I was The height of Mr. Heifetz’s concert lessons in singing, public speaking,
someplace else,” describes Mr. Heifetz. career was in the 1970s and 1980s. In movement, drama, health and well-
“I remember playing a concert where I 2001, Mr. Heifetz gave his farewell con- ness, and freedom of expression.”
felt enveloped in light; I didn’t even cert and retired from the concert
feel my feet on the stage. When I start- stage, due to numbness in his fingers Mr. Heifetz is presently dedicating
ed my career, I didn’t realize what sustained from surgery on his elbows. his life to the art of communication to
music could do for people. I didn’t develop the expressive potential of
realize this power from Hashem inher- “In life, you never know what every performer. “No one should take
ent in music to touch people’s lives.” Hashem has in store, so you have to voice or an instrument with the goal
86 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
the Tchaikovsky International to take classical music into a prison. admits that as he has grown in his
Competition in Moscow, securing his “The prisoners laughed at me, at first, Yiddishkeit the depth of his musical
international career. He was in when I told them I wanted to play expression has grown deeper. “One
Moscow during the Ginsburg- Jewish soul music for them. But then I door closes, and you look to see if
Sharansky trials and, unbeknownst to told them about myself – how my another door opens up. When I real-
the watchful eyes of the KGB, donated mother was a refugee from Hitler, how ized that I couldn’t continue perform-
his prize money to the Ginsburg and my relatives went to the gas chambers, ing, I decided to redirect my creative
Sharansky families. He also performed and how the music of one persecuted energies. Since the hallmark of my
a Jewish piece at the Gala Winners’ minority group can be of comfort to artistry was emotional communica-
Concert, which inspired an anti-Soviet another persecuted minority group. tion, I thought about the fact that no
government demonstration in the con- An African-American raised his fist one was teaching that in any of the
cert hall. and shouted, ‘Right on, brother,’ and I conservatories. I created Heifetz
played a Jewish piece at the prison. Performance and Communication
Enveloped in Light The prisoners were so touched that Training©, part of the Heifetz
What does playing the violin do for Mr. they were crying. The focus for me, International Music Institute, in
Heifetz? with the violin, was to communicate Staunton, Virginia. It has become one
emotion that could touch people.” of the most sought-after summer pro-
“The closest moment I’ve ever felt grams in the classical music world.
to Hashem was when I was performing A New Door This is where string players can take
on that violin and feeling that I was The height of Mr. Heifetz’s concert lessons in singing, public speaking,
someplace else,” describes Mr. Heifetz. career was in the 1970s and 1980s. In movement, drama, health and well-
“I remember playing a concert where I 2001, Mr. Heifetz gave his farewell con- ness, and freedom of expression.”
felt enveloped in light; I didn’t even cert and retired from the concert
feel my feet on the stage. When I start- stage, due to numbness in his fingers Mr. Heifetz is presently dedicating
ed my career, I didn’t realize what sustained from surgery on his elbows. his life to the art of communication to
music could do for people. I didn’t develop the expressive potential of
realize this power from Hashem inher- “In life, you never know what every performer. “No one should take
ent in music to touch people’s lives.” Hashem has in store, so you have to voice or an instrument with the goal
86 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
