People From Vilna

"He once told a reporter he wanted his obituary to be short - "just make it born in Russia, first lesson at 3, debut at 7, debut in America in 1917"."

"My two favorite dishes. I never get enough. Of course, both must be the best."

"I occasionally play works by contemporary composers and for two reasons. First to discourage the composer from writing any more and secondly to remind myself how much I appreciate Beethoven."

"If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it."

"There is no top. There are always further heights to reach."

"I have discovered three things which know no geographical borders - classical music, American jazz, and applause as the sign of the public's favor."

"Can you appreciate music without playing it? Yes, you can. You can appreciate baseball without playing it. Many people attend a football game merely for the crowd, the excitement, the color."

"No matter what side of the argument you are on, you always find people on your side that you wish were on the other."

"Criticism does not disturb me, for I am my own severest critic. Always in my playing I strive to surpass myself, and it is this constant struggle that makes music fascinating to me."

"For almost a century, Jascha Heifetz was the performer all others wished to emulate, a genius whose technique and musicianship earned him accolades as "the perfect violinist"."