NAMES IN THE NEWS : Ashkenazy Plans Moscow Concerts

LONDON — Soviet-born pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy will visit Moscow in November for the first time since settling in the West 26 years ago, the Soviet Embassy in London said today.

Ashkenazy, recognized as one of the world’s greatest concert pianists and a prolific recording artist, said he agreed to return to his homeland to conduct two charity concerts because he felt it his duty to be part of historic changes taking place in the Soviet Union.

Ashkenazy, 51, who was given official permission to leave the Soviet Union in 1963 and is now an Icelandic citizen, confessed to feeling apprehensive about the visit but said he was also excited and curious. “I didn’t think there would ever be a situation in the U.S.S.R. when people like me would be welcomed back either privately or publicly,” he said.