In February 1926, a piano quartet debuted, alternately named Klavier Kiddies, Jass auf vier Flügeln, and ERKLA (Erstes Klavier-Quartett), which included Zakin, Adam Gelbtrunk, Lewitsch (replaced by J. Pomerane, and later by
Rio Gebhardt) and Leopold Mittmann. They performed for a few years on the radio and in concert, while also making gramophone recordings. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, he was a performer in parts of Central Europe, giving recitals and supporting chamber-music ensembles. After
Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he fled to
Luxembourg and became a piano teacher to the royal family and was employed by the
Radio Luxembourg.
David and
Igor Oistrakh,
Leonid Kogan and cellist
Gregor Piatigorsky in an illustrious career which saw him in frequent contact with
impresario Sol Hurok. Zakin played the piano at the
White House on several occasions during the terms of Presidents
Dwight D. Eisenhower,
John F. Kennedy and
Lyndon B. Johnson. His performances of the sonatas of Brahms with Stern received considerable acclaim, amongst other performances they did together. He died on October 16, 1990, at the
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City of heart failure, aged 87. ==References==