Papers of Vladimir Heifetz
Scope and Content
The papers relate to all aspects of Heifetz' career as a conductor, composer, arranger, and musician, including manuscripts and printed material from other composers, some of which he used as a conductor and performer. They also contain a couple of hand-written chronologies of significant dates in Heifetz' career. The collection contains both published and unpublished works, by Heifetz and by others. The bulk of the collection is devoted to his career and activities in the USA, with a few materials pertaining to his activities in Russia. Most of the material is in Yiddish, English, Hebrew, and Russian, with several musical pieces in German, French, and Spanish.
Dates
- Creation: 1881-2001
Creator
- Heifetz, Pearl Shapiro (Person)
Language of Materials
Most of the material in the collection is in Yiddish, English, Hebrew, Russian, with several musical pieces in German, French, Spanish, and Italian.
Access Restrictions
Open to researchers by appointment with a YIVO archivist.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:
Chief Archivist, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011
email: archives@yivo.cjh.org
Biographical Note
Born in Chashnik, Vitebsk Gubernya (now part of Belarus) on March 28, 1893, Vladmir Heifetz emigrated to the USA in 1922. He died on May 3, 1970 in the middle of a concert at the Suffolk Jewish Center in Deer Park, L.I.
A graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, Heifetz accompanied the famous basso Fyodor Chaliapin, and played in a trio with S. Bacewicz and Gregory Piatigorsky. In the USA, he accompanied Isa Kremer and served as musical director of the Rudolf Schildkraut Theatre, the chorus of the Poale Zion, and Yiddish Culture Chorus, and others.
Among Heifetz' classical compositions are the Biblical Suite for the Vincent Lopez Symphony Orchestra, the "New Era" symphony, the opera "Pharaoh," and oratorio entitled "The Golem," and several cantatas. However, the best-known of Heifetz' more than 80 compositions is "Der Yid, Der Shmid," a lively, catchy folk tune. He also wrote music for the Yiddish Art Theatre and the Folksbiene Theatre, as well as musical scores for the following movies: "Potemkin," "Grine Felder," "Mirele Efros," "Di Klatshe," {The Nag), and "The Last Chapter." In addition, he arranged and orchestrated about 200 pieces.
The papers include correspondence, manuscripts, and publications by Heifetz, and publications by other composers of art, folk, and liturgical music. There are also some choral arrangements, song compilations, programs of concerts, and photographs.
Extent
10.92 Linear Feet
Abstract
Born in Chashnik, Vitebsk Gubernya (now part of Belarus) on March 28, 1893, Vladmir Heifetz emigrated to the USA in 1922. He died on May 3, 1970 in the middle of a concert at the Suffolk Jewish Center in Deer Park, L.I. The papers include correspondence, manuscripts, and publications by Heifetz, and publications by other composers of art, folk, and liturgical music. There are also some choral arrangements, song compilations, programs of concerts, and photographs. The collection contains both published and unpublished works, by Heifetz and by others. The bulk of the collection is devoted to his career and activities in the USA, with a few materials pertaining to his activities in Russia.
Arrangement
The papers were arranged by Chana Eleanor Mlotek in 1991, with the assistance of a grant from Mrs. Pearl Heifetz. From 2001-2005, Fern Kant arranged additional material donated by the Estate of Pearl Shapiro Heifetz, also with the assistance of a grant from the Estate.
- Series I: Private Papers of Vladimir Heifetz
- Series II: Compositions by Vladimir Heifetz
- Series III: Scripts and Summaries
- Series IV: Holiday Programs
- Series V: Works by Other Composers, Manuscripts
- Series VI: Printed Works by Other Composers
- Series VII: Sheet Music
- Series VIII: Cantatas
- Series IX: Choral Music
- Series X: Liturgical Music
- Series XI Collections and Anthologies, Songsters and Hymnals
- Series XII Books and Printed Matter
- Series XIII Miscellanea and Fragments
- Series XIV Addendum: Private Papers of Vladimir Heifetz
- Series XV Addendum: Works by Other Composers, Manuscripts
- Series XVI Addendum: Printed Works by Other Composers
- Series XVII Addendum: Cantatas by Other Composers
- Series XVIII Addendum: Choral Music by Other Composers
- Series XIX Addendum: Liturgical Music by Other Composers
- Series XX Addendum: Anthologies, Songsters and Hymnals By and Including Other Composers
- Series XXI Addendum: Miscellanea
- Series XXII Addendum: Pearl Heifetz Papers
- Title
- Guide to the Papers of Vladimir Heifetz, 1881-2001 RG 1259
- Author
- Processed by Chana Mlotek and Fern Kant
- Date
- © 2005
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Repository
