In memoriam: Lord Menuhin of Stoke d'Abernon

Musical Times, Summer 1999 by Stowell, Robin

Throughout his multi-layered career, Menuhin was awarded numerous prestigious honours. These included appointments as an honorary Knight Commander Order of the British Empire, a member of the Order of Merit, Commander of the Legion d'honneur, and Knight of the Dutch Order of Oranje Nassau. He also received the Nehru Award for International Understanding, the Croix de Lorraine, the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society, the Gold Medals of Paris, New York and Jerusalem, the Freedoms of the Cities of Bath and Edinburgh, and honorary degrees or other awards from countless universities. In 1993 he became only the second British musician (after Benjamin Britten) to be created a life peer.

Menuhin's publications include Six lessons with Yehudi Menuhin (1971), Theme and variations (1972), Violin and viola (1976, with William Primrose) in his series of Menuhin instrument guides, The Music of man (with Curtis Davis, 1980), Life class (1986), La Legende du violon (1996, with Catherine Meyer) and his autobiography, Unfinished journey (1977). His journey in this world was concluded in Berlin on 12 March 1999. He was a remarkable musician and an outstanding human being, and his achievements on the concert platform, in the recording studio, in educational circles and in numerous other extramusical areas have thoroughly enriched countless lives. His extraordinary legacy will continue to do so for many years to come. He was truly one of the greatest musical, humanitarian and cosmopolitan figures of our age.

Yehudi Menuhin: born New York, 22 April 1916; died Berlin,12 March 1999.

Robin Stowell