Morris Bezman

Morris Bezman left Kiev, Russia for the United States in 1905. He abandoned his schooling with the famous violin teacher Leopold Auer because of health, but also because Russia was in turmoil at the time; both Jews and students were suspect and frequently attacked. Many fled the country during this revolution and those that were to follow. This was the same year, 1905, that Bezman’s friend in Auer’s class, Mischa Elman, made his London debut. Elman was to play an important role in the development of Bezman’s career in Denver. Bezman faced a challenging task to play his music, but within months of arriving in the U.S., he was already establishing himself in Denver, Colorado’s musical scene. His playing and teaching proved to be instrumental in introducing Denver society to quality music.