Customer Reviews

Jascha Heifetz Through My Eyes

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Sherry Kloss honors her teacher, sharing the reality of the great master. She experienced the "whole man/musician" who mentored her, and shares it joyously with those of us who live vicariously through the pages with her. This is a fine work for aspiring musicians and those of us who have aspired!

I have read several biographies of Jascha Heifetz, and this is the only one that made me wish that I had met him. Sherry Kloss was able to see beyond the personal idiosyncracies of this consummate violinist to the essential good that was within him. The book is also interesting for the insights it gives the reader into what it was like to be in Heifetz's violin class in the mid 1970's. Unlike some other books and articles I've read about Heifetz, this one did not leave me feeling depressed. It should be on the reading list of anyone interested in the life of Jascha Heifetz or in the study of the violin.