Vengerova, Isabelle (1877–1956)

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Vengerova, Isabelle (1877–1956)

Russian pianist known for her teaching at the Curtis Institute. Name variations: Izabelle Vengérova. Born Isabella Afanasievna in Minsk, Russia, on March 1, 1877; died in 1956; sister of Zinaida Vengerova (1867–1941).

Born in Minsk in 1877, Isabelle Vengerova studied at the Vienna Conservatory with Joseph Dachs, and privately with Theodor Leschetizky. Returning to Russia, she completed her musical education with Annette Essipova , then began teaching at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1906. Vengerova left Russia in 1920, first touring Europe and then settling in the United States in 1923. She joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia when that illustrious school was founded in 1924. Her best-known Curtis students were Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, Lilian Kallir , Gary Graffman, Leonard Pennario and Lukas Foss.

suggested reading:

Graffman, Gary. I Really Should be Practicing. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1981.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia

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