PIATIGORSKY

Piatigorsky was the finest 'cellist in the world after Casals. He studied at the Moscow Conservatoire and left Russia in 1921. Richard Strauss called him 'Mein Don Quixote' for his solo part representing the Don. He went to America in 1929 and was naturalized in 1942. He taught at the Curtis Institute, Philadelphia, 1942-1951, and was Professor at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1962-1976.As young men, Piatigorsky, the pianist Horowitz and Milstein struck up a friendship in Switzerland, though the 'three Musketeers' did not play together till 1932, in the States. Piatigorsky was for ever telling tall stories, such as escaping from a flood on his instrument.