born Feb. 2, 1901, Vilnius, Lithuania, Russian Empire
died Dec. 10, 1987, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
Lithuanian-born U.S. violinist.
He studied with his father from age five, performing Felix Mendelssohn 's Violin Concerto at age eight. From 1909 to 1914, although it was illegal for a Jew to live in St. Petersburg, he studied there with Leopold Auer (1845–1930). He immigrated to the U.S. in 1917, where for many years he performed in a trio with Artur Rubinstein and Gregor Piatigorsky (1903–76). His impeccable technique and musical flair made him perhaps the world's most famous violinist. He retired in 1972, having taught at the University of Southern California from 1959.