“Hebrew Melody”

This recording of “Hebrew Melody” is performed by Jascha Heifetz, with orchestra directed by Josef Pasternack. This classical composition, inspired by traditional Jewish music, was composed by Joseph Achron (1886–1943) in 1911 and was one of his most famous works. Achron was a Russian-born violinist and composer active in the Saint Petersburg Society for Jewish Folk Music. He was drafted by the Russian army in 1916, during World War I. He served in the music division and gave concerts for soldiers in the front. He later settled in New York and worked as a musician and film composer in Hollywood. Heifetz, a world-famous violinist, was a child prodigy born in Vilna, Poland.