Yehudi menuhin autobiography definition

“As a boy I hoped – I had the childish idea – that if I played the Chaconne of Bach beautifully enough – but it would have to be very, very beautiful – I could bring peace”

(Speech by Lord Menuhin – Session of the European Parliament – Brussels, 27 September 1995))

THE MUSICIAN CHILD

Born in New York in 1916, Yehudi Menuhin was the son of Moshe Menuhin and Marutha Sher, both Jews and born in Russia who migrated to Palestine and then to the United States.

Two sisters would soon complete the family: Hephzibah, a future pianist with whom he would share a profound musical complicity and Yaltah who would also be an excellent musician. Marutha Sher dedicated her time to the education of her three children and Yehudi only attended school for one single day in his life.

At 5, Yehudi Menuhin learnt the violin with Sigmund Anker, then with Louis Persinger, director of the San Francisco Orchestra.

He was already described as “a child in short pants, pl