STERN, ISAAC

born July 21, 1920, Kremenets, Russia Russian-born American violinist. Stern was taken by his parents to San Francisco as a one-year-old infant. He studied at the San Francisco Conservatory (192831) and with the Russian violinist Naoum Blinder (193239) and made his debut at the age of 11. After a highly successful New York concert in 1939 he rapidly gained recognition. He began to tour regularly after his European debut in 1948, appearing all over the world and at all the major festivals. He premiered works by Paul Hindemith, George Rochberg, and Krzysztof Penderecki. In addition to his concert performances, Stern appeared on radio and television and made numerous recordings. Stern was active in organizations promoting the arts. He helped save New York City's Carnegie Hall from demolition, and he helped to establish the National Endowment for the Arts in 1964.