Menuhin

(mén’-c5-hin), (1) Yehudi, b. New York, Jan. 22, 1917; remarkable for his precocious genius as violinist; res. in San Francisco as child; began vin. study at 4 with Louis Per singer; at 7 début with San Francisco Orch., creating a prodigy; N. Y. recital, following year, roused much interest; was then taken to Paris for study with Enesco; début at 10 in that city with Lamoureux Orch. was triumphal event, closely followed by his appearance as soloist with N. Y. Symph. in Beethoven concerto, then further Eur. conquests incl. remarkable feat of playing Bach, Beethoven and Brahms concertos in one evening with Berlin Symph. under Bruno Walter; at 15, chosen to play Brahms concerto with N. Y. Philh., showing ripened stylistic authority; has also been a pupil of Adolf Busch, and has appeared in sonata recitals with his young sister (2) Hephzibah, pianist, in London, Paris and New York with equal applause; following world tour, incl. Antipodes, 1935-36, he went into temporary retirement of 2 years on his ranch in Cal. for further musical study and recreation.