MENUHIN GENIUS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 July 1934, Page 10

MENUHIN GENIUS

BROTHER AND SISTER’S RECORD.

LONDON, May 26

Yehudi Menuhin is a wonderful youngster, a violinist who has nothing to learn, the idol of the musical public in Europe and America. For some time, however, it has been realised that he is not the only genius.in his family. His 13-year-bld sister, Hephzibah, has never played the piano in public — at least in Europe. But she and her brother have just been awarded the “Candide” prize in Paris. This is given to the best chamber music record of the year, the judges being a jury of eminent French musicians. The work the pair recorded was a. Mozart .sonata, in which Hephzibah’s playing was no less perfect than her’ brother’s. While Mr. Moshe Menuhin is naturally gratified at this recognition of his young daughter’s talent, he has distributed the 10,000 f prize among the unemployed musicians in Paris, saying that the honour of the prize is sufficient for his children.

He admits, indeed, that it is “fun” that Hephzibah should have a hundred or more concert engagements offered •her without ever having given a concert. At the same time, he and Mrs. Menuhin have no intention of allowing Hephzibah to become a “regular concert troubadour.” Yet yfiuth will be served. Yehudi and Hephzibah, in others words, wish to give some sonata recitals. Their parents, therefore, may allow them next season to give one recital in Paris, London and New York,. But it will only be on the understanding that it must stop. Mr. Moshe Menuhin declared he and his wife are “conservative in .matters pertaining to feminine careers and happiness in life.” So Hephzibah, with the soul of an artist and the hands of a pianist born, must.be content with recording. .