The Best of Yehudi Menuhin
Exploring the life of one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century.
This week we highlight the illustrious career of one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, Yehudi Menuhin.
Born in New York in 1916, Menuhin made his violin debut at the age of seven with the San Francisco Symphony in Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, and a recital in New York followed a year later. By the time he was eleven he had debuted in Paris and Carnegie Hall. At twelve he played in Berlin and at thirteen in London, launching himself at an early age on a lifelong career that was to take him all over the world, playing with leading conductors and orchestras.
Music is a therapy. It is a communication far more powerful than words, far more immediate, far more efficient.
We have selected some of his most dynamic performances as both a conductor and a soloist for you to enjoy.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major, BWV 1042 (Yehudi Menuhin (conductor and violin), Robert Masters Chamber Orchestra)
Édouard Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, op. 21 (Sir Eugene Goossens, Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Philharmonia Orchestra)
Camille Saint-Saens: Havanaise, op. 83 (Sir Eugene Goossens, Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Philharmonia Orchestra)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonata for violin solo Nr. 3 in C major, BWV 1005 (Yehudi Menuhin (violin))
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, KV 219 (Turkish) (Yehudi Menuhin, Bath Festival Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin (violin))
Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, op. 24 (Spring) (Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Louis Kentner (piano))
Edward Elgar: In the South (Alassio), Concert Overture Op. 50 (Yehudi Menuhin, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 (Yehudi Menuhin, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Originally published at blog.idagio.com on January 27, 2016.
