Nelsova (real name, Katznelson), Zara
Nelsova (real name, Katznelson), Zara
Nelsova (real name, Katznelson), Zara, brilliant Canadian-born American cellist of Russian descent; b. Winnipeg, Dec. 23, 1918. Her father, a flutist, gave her music lessons; she later studied with Dezso Mahalek (1924–28). In 1929 she went to London, where she continued her studies with Herbert Walenn (until 1935). In 1931, at the age of 13, she appeared as soloist with the London Sym. Orch. With her 2 sisters, a pianist and a violinist, she organized a group billed as the Canadian Trio, and toured in England, Australia, and South Africa. Returning to Canada, she served as principal cellist of the Toronto Sym. Orch. (1940–43); she was also a member of another Canadian Trio, this time with Kathleen Parlow and Sir Ernest MacMillan (1941–44). In 1942 she made her U.S. debut at Town Hall in N.Y.; also continued her studies, receiving valuable instruction from Feuermann, Casals, and Piatigorsky. In 1962 she joined the faculty of the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y In 1953 she became a naturalized American citizen. From 1963 to 1973 she was the wife of Grant Johannesen . She received rather rapturous press reviews for her lyrical interpretations of classical and modern cello music in a purportedly “Russian” (i.e., wonderful) style.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire