Jascha Heifetz (/ˈhaɪfɪts/; February 2 [O.S. January 20] 1901 – December 10, 1987) was a violinist, widely considered to be among the greatest violinists of the twentieth century. Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, he moved as a teenager to the United States, where his Carnegie Hall debut was rapturously received. The New York Times called him "perhaps the greatest violinist of all time." Fritz Kreisler, another leading violinist of the twentieth century, said on hearing Heifetz's debut, "We might as well take our fiddles and smash them across our knees."
He had a long and successful performing and recording career; after an injury to his right (bowing) arm, he focused on teaching.
