Origins & Early Life

Yehudi Menuhin, Baron Menuhin (22 April 1916 – 12 March 1999), was an American-born British and Swiss violinist and conductor who spent most of his performing career in Britain. He is widely considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. Yehudi Menuhin was born in New York City to Moshe Menuhin, a Lithuanian Jew from Gomel in modern Belarus, and Marutha, a Crimean Karaite. Through his father Moshe, he was descended from a rabbinical dynasty.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Moshe and Marutha (née Sher) met in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem (part of historic Palestine under the Ottoman Empire) before marrying in New York in 1914. In late 1919, the pair became American citizens and changed the family name from Mnuchin to Menuhin. Menuhin's sisters were concert pianist and human rights activist Hephzibah, and pianist, painter and poet Yaltah. Menuhin's first violin instruction was at the age of four by Sigmund Anker (1891–1958) an Austrian violin teacher who teaches advanced demanding technique from very young age for children, but his teaching lasted for two years for Menuhin. His parents had wanted Louis Persinger to teach him, and Persinger agreed.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Menuhin took lessons...

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