Nathan Milstein, the Russian-born violin virtuoso who became an American 50 years ago, died at his home in London of a heart attack at age 87, his family said Tuesday.
Milstein, who died Monday, was considered a great exponent of 19th-century violin music, though he played everything from Bach to Prokofiev. His playing was said to have the poise and elegance of a bygone age and was described by critics as flawless and aristocratic.Born Nathan Mironovic Milstein in Odessa Dec. 31, 1904, he was the son of a prosperous Jewish wool merchant. He studied the violin from the age of 4 under several teachers, most notably Peter Sto-liarsky who later taught David Oistrakh (also born in Odessa, in 1908).
Milstein made his official debut in Odessa in 1920. In 1921 he started a lifelong friendship with a young pianist, Vladimir Horowitz.
In 1926 Milstein, with Horowitz, left Russia for Paris, arriving there with no money and no violin. He soon found a patron and launched his career.
In October 1929, Milstein made his American debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski.