Country

:

United States of America

Formed

:

April 22, 1916 in New York City, NY

Disband

:

March 12, 1999 in Berlin, Germany

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Yehudi Menuhin was a world-renowned classical music artist who was born on April 22, 1916, in New York City. He was the youngest of three children born to Moshe Menuhin, a Russian-born Jewish violinist, and Marutha Sher, a pianist and music teacher. Yehudi's siblings were Hephzibah and Yaltah, both of whom also became accomplished musicians. Yehudi Menuhin showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of three. His parents recognized his talent and began giving him lessons. By the age of six, he had already made his public debut, performing with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. He continued to study with various teachers, including Louis Persinger and George Enescu, and by the age of 13, he had already made his European debut in Paris. Menuhin's career continued to flourish, and he became known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Arturo Toscanini, Wilhelm Furtwängler, and Leonard Bernstein. One of the highlights of Menuhin's career was his performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1947. This performance was particularly significant because it was the first time that a Jewish musician had performed with the orchestra since the rise of the Nazi regime. Menuhin's performance was widely acclaimed, and it helped to break down some of the barriers that had been erected between Jewish musicians and German audiences. Menuhin was also known for his commitment to promoting peace and understanding through music. In 1959, he founded the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, which brought together musicians from around the world to perform and collaborate. He also established the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, England, which provided a unique educational environment for young musicians. Throughout his career, Menuhin received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 and was knighted in 1965. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter in 1985. Menuhin continued to perform and record music well into his later years. He died on March 12, 1999, at the age of 82. His legacy as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

More....