Product Description

The violin master class of Jascha Heifetz was a fascinating mix of nationalities, personalities, and temperaments. Mr. Heifetz, the artist, the teacher, and the man, shared with his students a tradition which he was largely responsible for creating.

For eleven years, I was privileged to be among the elite few who were welcomed into his inner circle, and discovered what the outside world longed to know about him.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #960312 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 167 pages

About the Author
The "singing style" of violinist Sherry Kloss reflects the influence of her study with Nathan Milstein and Jascha Heifetz. Miss Kloss, acclaimed as "one of the foremost violinists of her generation," commanded international attention after winning the Concours de Violin in Europe, the Sterling Staff Competition, and the prestigious Honorary Degree of Excellence from the Academia Chigiana Musicale in Siena, Italy. In 1980, Jascha Heifetz appointed her as Master Assistant in charge of his world renowned violin class at the University of Southern California. She held this position until the death of the master. Heifetz confirmed his belief in Sherry Kloss by bequeathing to her the Tononi violin with which he made his famous Carnegie Hall debut in 1917. It is upon this historic instrument that she now performs. Her recordings, "Forgotten Gems from the Heifetz Legacy" (Kloss Classics) and "Lost and Found Treasures of the Heifetz Legacy" have received national recognition evidenced by major critical acclaim. Besides an active concert schedule, Sherry Kloss is strongly committed to education and presents master classes throughout the world. She is Founder and Artistic Director of the "Music Institute for the Development of Personal Style" at Southern Oregon University, and Co-Founder of Jascha Heifetz Society. In 1998, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania issued a proclamation recognizing Sherry Kloss as a prominent Pittsburgh artist. Miss Kloss's current projects include a new publication about her association with her mentor, "Jascha Heifetz Through My Eyes."

Customer Reviews

A Must Read
Sherry's book brings a personal, human view to Jascha Heifetz. She was gives us insight to a kindness and compassionate side that few may have known. Not only is the book extremely entertaining, but for the reader, we are allowed to have a look in on the master class teachings, the daily life at USC, and the parties held at the Heifetz home.

Sherry allows us to see the care her teacher had not only in his work, for which he gave everything, but the concern he had for the welfare of his students. He was a very generous person in all respects.

I laughed out loud at several passages. The imagry of the fun loving, full of life young violinst, meeting the formal, reserve of the great artist. You must read it, and enjoy it as much as I did!

The pictures are also an additional treat.

You Must Read this Book!

Inside Edition!
After being thoroughly disappointed by Ayke Agus' depressing
tome "Heifetz As I Knew Him", I was a bit worried that
this book was going to be the same way. I was way wrong!
Sherry Kloss, in under 200 pages, gives such a look into a period of 12 years here in Southern California, which were the waning years of Heifetz's life and career, that it's almost as if the reader was living life alongside her. I'll be frank in saying that unless you're a violinist or familiar with Heifetz the man (beyond his recordings), this isn't the book for you.
There has always been a good deal of sordid talk that goes along with Heifetz - "great musician, rotten and abusive tyrant",
and so forth. Luckily, this book allays some of that stuff a bit - or at least gives some understanding as to why Heifetz was often perceived in such a light. He set very high standards for himself (and everyone associated with him). Sherry Kloss was one of the few people Heifetz trusted and genuinely liked - and she understood him for who, and what, he was (faults aside).
This book contains many good photographs from the Heifetz USC Class Halloween parties and music-making events, and also some of Kloss' own recital programs (which Heifetz helped her plan).
If there's any fault to this book, it's that it is too short.

Jascha Heifetz Remembered
I highly recommend "Jascha Heifetz Through My Eyes," a book written by Sherry Kloss. Ms. Kloss was so fortunate to have had such a close relationship with Mr. Heifetz, and it is described so touchingly in this book. All lovers of music-and especially of the violin-will find this book a joy to read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
In addition, I enjoyed Sherry Kloss' renditions of Heifetz' transcriptions, which she provides on her two compact disks: "Lost and Found Treasures of the Heifetz Legacy" and "Forgotten Gems from the Heifetz Legacy." The book and the two compact disks should be in the library of every violin enthusiast.