"Jascha Heifetz of the mandolin"

[domradave]

In the obituary in today's New York Times of the concert pianist Abbey Simon it says that Simon had an uncle who was "the Jascha Heifetz of the mandolin." Simon was born in 1920 so who do you think his uncle could be? Sam Seigel?

[Eugene]

Interesting. I have Simon's later recordings of Chopin solos and concerti as well as his take on the Paganini settings by Brahms and Liszt. I suppose I had no idea he was actually still alive. Regarding mandolinist uncles, I have no idea. Maybe de Pace?

[Eugene]

"Not a professional musician," so probably nobody about whom we've here speculated:

[Jim Garber]

He mentions his uncle at 1:09. Could have been someone like Sol Goichberg, concertmaster for NY Mandolin Orchestra. I don't know if he made his whole living from playing the mandolin and might be considered semi-professional. Or even Howard Frye, also involved in that orchestra.

[Frankdolin]

If there's a mandolinist anywhere near the great Jascha Heifetz orbit, I want, need to know and hear such a thing.

[Steve Roberts]

With due respect for the decedent Mr. Simon's uncle, there is truly only one "Jascha Heifetz of the _________" fill in the blank.

Gloria Parker, the Yasha Heifetz of the musical glasses, immortalized by Broadway Danny Rose-

[Joe Bartl]

But really, wasn't Jascha Heifetz the Sol Goichberg of the violin?

[Eugene]

But really, wasn't Jascha Heifetz the Sol Goichberg of the violin?

I'm hip to that.