Rosina lhevinne biography

Russian-born musician who spent much of her career playing dual-piano works with her husband and, after his death, went on to fame as a soloist and teacher of many of America's leading classical pianists. Name variations: Rosina Lhévinne. Pronunciation: Lay-VEEN. Born Rosina Bessie on March 29, , in Kiev, Russia; died on November 9, , in Glendale, California; daughter of Jacques Bessie (a Dutch merchant) and Maria (Katch) Bessie (a Russian); attended Imperial Russian Conservatory, –98; married Josef Lhevinne, on June 20, (died ); children: Constantine (renamed Don) Lhevinne; Marianna Lhevinne.

Won gold medal upon graduation from Conservatory (); began career as dual pianist with husband (); moved to Tiflis (); interned in Germany during World War I (–18); settled in U.S.