Heifetz Master Classes (review)

Kultur International Films has recently re-released over three and a half hours of film featuring legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz teaching his famous master classes at the University of Southern California during the early 1960's. These rare films are a must-have for any violin student, teacher, or librarian. After only a few minutes of watching Heifetz Master Classes I was reminded why Jascha Heifetz is my all time favorite violinist. His dazzling virtuosity, clarity of attack, and shimmering tone is unmatched in my mind by any other player. But what is even more fascinating, is the way Heifetz the teacher repeatedly reinforces the idea that absolute technical command of instrument, (something for which he was renowned), paired with a thorough theoretical understanding of the musical work is the key to artistry and expression.

These student-teacher interactions are fascinating to watch. The lessons certainly show the more human side of Heifetz who was frequently criticized as overly serious and mechanical. Though he certainly does come across as severe at times, he is also affectionate, friendly and often the humorist. In fact, the film concludes with Heifetz himself performing an imitation of a bad student, an act which is met with riotous laughter.

The intimate relationship between technique and musical expression is reinforced throughout these lessons. The unremitting metronomic tapping of his pencil interrupts anytime the performer's tempo wanes; he demonstrates again and again the importance of tempo, meter and rhythm as the "silent" musical glue that binds together most classical Western music. Most impressive is the rigorous routine of etudes and scales that he expects of his students. At one point he asks Claire Hodgkins, who later became his teaching assistant, to warm up with scales in G flat major followed by G♯ minor in fingered-octaves. Later he requests that star pupil Erik Friedman warm up with Paganini Caprice No. 17 then runs him through a series of increasingly demanding scales, something he does with ease. Other more sensitive and memorable moments include Fried man and Heifetz performing the second and third movements of the Bach: Double Violin Concerto, a work they eventually recorded.

The film footage is skillfully shot allowing for a good look at instrumental technique. As an older film, the sound quality is somewhat lacking and Heifetz's speech can be unclear at times. However, this actually adds an air of historicity. The Master Classes are available in a two DVD set which can be navigated by chapter. Works performed include: Brahms: Concerto in D Major, Op. 77 (1st mvt.), Franck: Sonata in A Major (1st mvt.), Beethoven: String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 5 (1st mvt.), Paganini: Caprice No. 17, and others.