‘The most original musician I’ve ever met’: remembering violinist Yehudi Menuhin

Zamira Menuhin Benthall Menuhin’s daughter: ’One of my earliest memories of my father was watching him perform the premiere of the Bartók Solo Violin Sonata at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1944, with Bartók in the audience. I was five years old, maybe younger, and I can vividly recall looking over the edge of the balcony from where I had a perfect view of my father playing. It was the first time I had seen him alone on stage. Until then I had listened to stories of him travelling all over the world, which was very exciting but also lonely because he wasn’t at home. Looking back on my life, I realise I was incredibly lucky. I loved the music, and maybe this helped me to understand why my father was continually absent, and to accept that.’