Hryhorii Isaakovych Hershfeld (* 29 December 1883, Vinnytsia, Podillia province - † 8 October 1962, Chisinau) was a Moldovan, Russian and Ukrainian composer, teacher and violinist.
He came from a hereditary klezmer family. In 1901-1904, he studied at the Odesa Music School, majoring in violin. In 1904-1907, he continued his studies at the Kyiv Music School.
In 1907-1916, he worked as a violin teacher at the school in Bobrynka, Yelisavethrad district, Kherson province; in 1918-1923, he worked at the Bobrynka Men's Gymnasium (later a school).
In 1923, he began working as a teacher at music schools in Berdychiv, teaching violin, and in 1937 - in Tiraspol.
During the Nazi-Soviet war, he was evacuated to Namangan, and in 1944 moved to Chisinau, where he taught at the conservatory restored by his son David Hershfeld, working as an associate professor of viola, domra, and violin.
Until 1953, he simultaneously taught and was the head of the educational department at the E. Koka Music School for Ten Years in Chisinau.
Among his students was the founder of the "Fluerash" ensemble Serhii Lunkevych.
He is the author of the following works
1912 - "Variations" for violin accompanied by piano,
1914 - string quartet "Song without Words",
1923 - "Red Cavalry", an overture for brass band,
1931 - Quartet for brass band,
1945 - "Concert Etude",
1947 - "Fantasy" for violin and orchestra,
"Etudes for Beginners in All Positions - for violin,
1951 - a piece for cello accompanied by piano,
marches.
His grandson, Alfred Hershfeld, is a conductor and composer, chief conductor of the Moldovan Opera and Ballet Theater, founder of the Moldovan National Chamber Orchestra, and professor of conducting in Miami.
