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Heifetz As I Knew Him
(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.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
260 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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August 25, 2011Absolutely 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!
July 8, 2016
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.
Thank you to Ms Agus for sharing her amazing story. I could not put this book down and savoured every page.
January 7, 2026
A touching joint autobiography of Heifetz student and last caretaker Ayke Agus who spent 15 years taking care of the ageing greatest violinist of all time. Through self imposed exile largely by his own unpleasant, overbearing personality, OCD, desire for privacy, an almost egomaniacal disregard for other people's desires, and naturally suspicious tendency, Heifetz drove everyone who lived near him to the verge of breakdown. While these negative traits are the symptoms of the same drives that had driven him to unprecedented technical perfection ever achieved by any violinist who ever lived, there is no denying that these are the traits of someone who had an abnormal childhood, becoming the breadwinner of his family since age 7, having to bear with a father who constantly criticized his playing no matter how good he played, that prior to his breaking away from his family at 21 he felt psychologically stifled from normal personality development. Ayke Agus documented these aspects of his personality with unflinching honesty, it makes for a fascinating study of personality for both of them. What makes such a successful musician and what are the costs in terms of psychology in order to have such an overwhelming drive, and what enables Agus to sacrifice 15 years of her life (and the loss to career opportunities, valuable time of spending more time with her own family) to take care of this cantankerous old git who gave her hell.
Although what she gained is invaluable - opportunity to get to know intimately the legend Heifetz, their musical collaboration, her own musical development, her love and admiration of Heifetz having spent her childhood with his recordings - it is a case study of an interpreter's sacrifice of personality in the altar of the muse. Doesn't all performers/interpreters/classical musician make the same sacrifice, often abandoning their own creativity, dreams, fantasies in order to serve dead composers of the past? In a way, Heifetz of the 80s had become a museum person. Disgusted with anything new and modern, he clung to any vestiges of the old world, his cane given by his old teacher Leopold Auer, the old installations and furnitures of his house that he refused to replace let alone remove from its spot. Although he remained musically creative, arranging and practicing to the end despite horrible back pains, stomachache, depression, it is something that a composer/creative person would find sad. What could have been had Heifetz be more welcoming of new students or was less stringent in his opinions about new music?
Nevertheless, the world has plenty to thank to Agus for documenting these priceless images of the old Heifetz. She is truly an heir of the Heifetz school of violin. Her feats as documented in this book is impressive. She could play piano like a professional pianist, could sight read difficult pieces that anyone who has any experience in accompanying would have their jaw drop. A must read for piano and violin lover, and any fan of Heifetz. I have so much things to comment, but let's keep it like this for now. So much to reflect.
Although what she gained is invaluable - opportunity to get to know intimately the legend Heifetz, their musical collaboration, her own musical development, her love and admiration of Heifetz having spent her childhood with his recordings - it is a case study of an interpreter's sacrifice of personality in the altar of the muse. Doesn't all performers/interpreters/classical musician make the same sacrifice, often abandoning their own creativity, dreams, fantasies in order to serve dead composers of the past? In a way, Heifetz of the 80s had become a museum person. Disgusted with anything new and modern, he clung to any vestiges of the old world, his cane given by his old teacher Leopold Auer, the old installations and furnitures of his house that he refused to replace let alone remove from its spot. Although he remained musically creative, arranging and practicing to the end despite horrible back pains, stomachache, depression, it is something that a composer/creative person would find sad. What could have been had Heifetz be more welcoming of new students or was less stringent in his opinions about new music?
Nevertheless, the world has plenty to thank to Agus for documenting these priceless images of the old Heifetz. She is truly an heir of the Heifetz school of violin. Her feats as documented in this book is impressive. She could play piano like a professional pianist, could sight read difficult pieces that anyone who has any experience in accompanying would have their jaw drop. A must read for piano and violin lover, and any fan of Heifetz. I have so much things to comment, but let's keep it like this for now. So much to reflect.
May 27, 2022
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.
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.
July 6, 2021
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.
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.
June 3, 2014
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.
June 22, 2011
Agus is obviously clever, but one wonders. As with all first person narratives...........
February 8, 2015
An in depth look into the private life of the aging master. Heifetz, The Greatest Violinist That Ever Lived...
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December 20, 2018A 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.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews