Zara Nelsova

During World War II she was principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and in 1942 made her United States solo debut at Town Hall in New York.

In 1949 Nelsova moved to London, where she introduced to Britain new works by Samuel Barber, Paul Hindemith, Dmitri Shostakovich and Ernest Bloch, who dedicated his three suites for unaccompanied cello to her.

In 1955 she became an American citizen and performed as a soloist for major orchestras, including Boston, Winnipeg, Montreal and the New York Philharmonic.

Nelsova promoted the Elgar Cello Concerto when it was rarely heard, long before Jacqueline du Pré, in concert and in recital with a piano reduction of the orchestral score.

[3] An award was given in Nelsova's name at the 2008 Naumburg International Violoncello Competition; the winner was Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, from Iceland.