Achron, Isidor

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Achron, Isidor

Achron, Isidor, Lithuan-born American pianist, teacher, and composer, brother of Joseph Achron; b. Warsaw, Nov. 24, 1892; d. N.Y., May 12, 1948. He studied with Essipova (piano), Liadov (composition), and Steinberg (orchestration) at the St. Petersburg Cons. In 1922 he settled in the U.S., becoming a naturalized citizen in 1928. After serving as accompanist to Heifetz (1922–33), he pursued a career as a soloist with orchs. and as a recitalist. His compositions, all in the moderate Romantic manner prevalent of his time, included 2 piano concertos (No. 1, N.Y., Dec. 9, 1937, composer soloist, and No. 2, 1942), a Suite Grotesque for Orch. (St. Louis, Jan. 30, 1942), and numerous works for Piano and Violin.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire