Heifetz As I Knew Him

by Ayke Agus

(Amadeus). Ayke Agus came to Jascha Heifetz as a violin student in his master class at the University of Southern California; after he made her the class pianist she soon became his private accompanist and ultimately his assistant and confidante. Her book is a loving yet unblinking testimony to a unique relationship between an aging master and his disciple. Always a difficult person, Heifetz imparted not only his art but his every belief and idiosyncrasy. The greatest violinist of the 20th century was a genius who was also insecure and unreasonable; in many respects the former prodigy had never had to grow up. This memoir is an extraordinary story of a truly unique friendship, told with honesty, understanding, and devotion.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

260 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2001

Reviews

[Daphne]

Absolutely fascinating. As interested as I was in Agus's narrative of becoming an integral part of the last 15 years of Heifetz's life, I was even more intrigued by her own story as a prodigy from an exotic land, a young woman whose upbringing prepared her for what sounds like one of the most challenging jobs in the world: Heifetz's personal pianist AND Gal Friday!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book...beautifully written. You get such an appreciation of this complicated and difficult musical instrument......much like Heifetz himself.
Thank you to Ms Agus for sharing her amazing story. I could not put this book down and savoured every page.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating book, with insights into one of the great musicians of the 20th century. Surely one of the most unique musical friendships, Agus gave her life for Heifetz, making his last years much more fulfilling and full than it would have been had he been alone. Agus subsumed her own needs, her own life, even her own personality, in exchange for learning the many musical insights that Heifetz had to offer.

I sincerely hope that she has a happy personal and family life post-Heifetz, because she deserves it to the full.

A book full of humanity, compassion and understanding towards one of the greatest violinist of the 20th century, but surely a most difficult person to live with.

[Kenneth Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heifetz in Glorious Detail

A superb book about Heifetz's later years in California by his student of 15+ years. A real glimpse into the violin master's inner world. Most detailed and revealing….if you love Jascha Heifetz you must read this book.

[Christopher Sajdak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It was interesting to learn about Heifetz from the perspective of someone that worked with him on a daily basis. He was an amazingly talented violinist, but perhaps he never had a normal childhood and this continued to haunt him.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agus is obviously clever, but one wonders. As with all first person narratives...........

[Wayne Millligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in depth look into the private life of the aging master. Heifetz, The Greatest Violinist That Ever Lived...

[Mark Stephenson]

A touching account of the final years of this great violinist. I admired the many sacrifices the author made to help Heifetz endure the vicissitudes of aging. Her explanation of her own life was even more interesting than the saddening but inevitable decline and death of a world-renowned and revered virtuoso whose legacy will remain because of the many beautiful recordings he made.