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Creator
Heifetz, Vladimir, 1893-1970
Call number
JPB 04-4
Physical description
14.5 linear feet (21 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation

Vladimir Heifetz Papers, JPB 04-4. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Music Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The papers of the Russian-American pianist and composer Vladimir Heifetz consist primarily of manuscripts scores: they also include some music and lectures

Biographical/historical information

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.

Scope and arrangement

The Vladimir Heifetz Papers consist of 14.5 linear feet of material dating from approximately 1922 to 1970. They consist primarily of manuscript music scores for voices, piano, and some other instruments, the majority arranged by Heifetz himself, occasionally to one of his own compositions. There is one box of programs but the Papers do not contain any further professional or personal elements. Of particular note are the original arrangements for various Yiddish and Hebrew musical pieces.

The Vladimir Heifetz papers are arranged in four series:

  • Series I: Scores - Composed and Arranged by Vladimir Heifetz, and
    1933 - 1943
    17 boxes

    This series consists of scores of Heifetz’s compositions and his arrangements of scores in English, German, Russian, and Hebrew. The types of scores are holograph and copyist manuscripts. Musical styles of most scores are choral music, vocal music, or music for voices and instruments.

  • Series II: Scores - Composed and Arranged by Other Composers, and
    1923 - 1963
    2 boxes

    There are 64 different composer and unknown composer’s works. The types of score are holograph and copyist manuscripts. Musical styles of most scores are choral music, vocal music or music for voices and instruments.

  • Series III: Programs, - and
    Undated
    1 box

    These programs document Heifetz’s performances (as a pianist or accompanist), as well as other performances of his music. Most of the programs are concerts at Town Hall, in New York City.

  • Series IV: Oversized Scores, and
    Undated
    1 box

    This series consists of orchestral oversized scores.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Heifetz’s widow Pearl Heifetz in December, 1974.

Processing information

Processed by Synae Yoon; Machine-readable finding aid created by Synae Yoon.

Using the collection

Location

Music Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division.