Reviews and Testimonials
"This is volume II of Sherry Kloss's "Lost and Found Treasures of the Heifetz Legacy", with the subtitle, 'The Heifetz-Tononi Sings Again'. These very exciting readings of the Beethoven and Strauss Sonatas come from a concert that Kloss played in the 1980's with Jascha Heifetz's long-time accompanist Brooks Smith. The instrument she is playing was a gift from Heifetz, who knew that his legacy would be sure to stay alive in her hands. These readings make it clear that Heifetz was right, and it is indeed fortunate that Kloss has dedicated the larger part of her career to preserving the Heifetz legacy.
In addition to the Beethoven and Strauss, the concert included a reading of the "Capriccio" for violin and electronic tape, a piece that was written in 1952 by Henk Badings and was published in 1959. It is a piece that Heifetz would probably not have been interested in playing, but is a piece of great historic interest because it is one of the earliest pieces written for live solo instrument and pre-recorded electronic tape. The electronic tape part of the piece is made of two sound tracks (to take the development of stereo into account) that were then combined into one electronic tape sound track.The sounds on the tape portion of the piece are generated form 12 oscillators, which included a sine tone generator and a noise generator. They were the only sound sources available at the time.
While the 21st century allows for complicated computer generation and manipulation of sound waves, the electronic music composers who were working during middle of the 20th century built their sound waves from scratch (sometimes literally) by relatively primitive means, splicing and taping together miles of magnetic tape, and doing a lot of math. The violin part is a kind of obbligato to the electronic "accompaniment", and the interaction between the natural and synthetic sounds is quite remarkable.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDING OF THE WORK CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, SO IT SHOULD BE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PEOPLE INTERESTED IN ELECTRONIC MUSIC, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE PERFORMANCE.
The CD also included three more recent recordings of some of Heifetz's many transcriptions played with great sensitivity by Kloss and her more recent pianist partner Mark Westcott. The Rachmaninoff is a transcription of the Piano Prelude Opus 32, No. 5, the Haydn comes from the String Quartet Opus 54, No.2, and the Wieniawski is a an arrangement of the fifth caprice from his Opus 18.
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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!
– Carol, Tampa, FL
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 discs: "Lost and Found Treasures
of the Heifetz Legacy" and "Forgotten Gems from the Heifetz Legacy." The
book and the two compact discs should be in the library of every violin enthusiast.
– Carl B. Salzinger, Mayfield Heights, OH
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.
– Unknown
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!
– Jeanette Fontanella
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