Birth

:

October 7, 1921 in San Francisco, CA

Death

:

June 9, 2001 in London, England

Period

:

Classical

 

Yaltah Menuhin was a renowned classical music artist who was born on October 7, 1921, in San Francisco, California. She was the youngest child of Moshe and Marutha Sher Menuhin, who were both Russian Jewish immigrants. Yaltah was born into a family of musicians, as her older siblings, Yehudi and Hephzibah, were also accomplished musicians. Yaltah began playing the piano at a young age, and her talent was quickly recognized by her family. Her father, Moshe, was a music teacher, and he provided Yaltah with early musical training. Yaltah's siblings, Yehudi and Hephzibah, also played a significant role in her musical development. They often played together as a trio, and Yaltah learned a great deal from their performances. In 1930, when Yaltah was just nine years old, she made her debut performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. She played the piano concerto in A minor by Edvard Grieg, and her performance was met with critical acclaim. This performance marked the beginning of Yaltah's career as a concert pianist. Over the next few years, Yaltah continued to perform in concerts across the United States. She also studied with some of the most renowned piano teachers of the time, including Rudolf Serkin and Artur Schnabel. Yaltah's talent continued to grow, and she soon became known for her virtuosic performances and her ability to interpret complex musical works. In 1940, Yaltah made her European debut in London, England. She performed at the Wigmore Hall, and her performance was met with critical acclaim. This performance marked the beginning of Yaltah's international career as a concert pianist. Over the next few years, Yaltah continued to perform in concerts across Europe. She also recorded several albums, including a recording of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 with the London Symphony Orchestra. Yaltah's recordings were highly praised, and she soon became known as one of the most talented pianists of her generation. In 1947, Yaltah married Joel Ryce-Menuhin, a British businessman. The couple had two children, Jeremy and Gerard. Despite her family commitments, Yaltah continued to perform in concerts and record albums throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1970, Yaltah suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed. Despite this setback, she continued to play the piano and perform in concerts. She also became an advocate for stroke victims and worked to raise awareness about the condition. In 1985, Yaltah was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to music. She continued to perform in concerts and record albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1999, she was awarded the National Order of Merit by the French government for her contributions to music. Yaltah Menuhin passed away on March 9, 2001, at the age of 79. She was remembered as one of the most talented pianists of her generation and a true ambassador for classical music. Her legacy continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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