FAMOUS VIOLINIST

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 174, 20 April 1935, Page 16

FAMOUS VIOLINIST

Yehudi Menuhin Arrives at Auckland To-day Yehudi Menubin, the greatest violinist of the present day, who ranks with Fritz Kreisler as the surest boxoffice attraction in the concert world, is due to arrive in Auckland from San Francisco by the Mariposa this morning, and will leave for Sydney this evening under engagement to the Wil-liamson-J. and N. Tait management. Menuhin was probably the most sensational of prodigies, for as a mere child he amazed, critics and the public by displaying the technique and insight of a mature artist. Not one, but several, hard-headed unemotional critics have, in endeavouring to account for the lad’s advanced culture, been forced back to the theosophical conclusion that in Yehudi was reborn the soul of some great artist of other days. Yehudi Menuhin, the son of musicloving Moshe and Marutha Menuhin, of New York, was horn in that city on January 22, 1917. When only nine months old he was taken to his first concert (as he could not be left at home alone). At two years of age he showed a preference for violin music, and when a year later he was presented with a toy instrument, he promptly smashed it because he said “it didn’t sound right.” At four years of age he was given a real violin, and such was his affinity with the instrument that he was then placed under Louis Persinger, at San Francisco. He made such astounding progress that at seven he made an appearance with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and at once leaped into fame. The lad’s genius was so obvious that the greatest care was taken not to spoil him by too many appearances. He was taken to Europe, and at Paris studied under rhe Rumanian violinist Georges Enesco, after w-hich he commenced a career in public, the like of which has never been equalled. Still later —and never overworked —he studied further under Adolf Busch, the noted Bach player of Switzerland, until that player found he could teach the lad no further. His success the world over is only commensurate with his ability. Tie is one of the few artists in the world who can command a capacity audience in any hall. Menuhin 'will probably visit New Zealand at the end of June, when two concerts will be given in Wellington and two in Auckland. He is to return to Europe, via Australia and South Africa, where he is to give ton concerts.