Customer Reviews

Yehudi Menuhin: A Life

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Yehudi Menuhin is among the finest violinists of the twentieth century. Humphrey Burton's definitive biography of this outstanding musician begins with Yehudi's birth in New York to Russian Jewish immigrants. A prodigiously gifted youth, he gave his first solo recital at the age of eight and within the next five years because internationally acclaimed as a true prodigy of the violin. A visionary individualist quite capable of shocking traditionalists, Yehudi's postwar support for the conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, and his determination to restore the defeated German nation to the cultural and political reputation that had been so devastated by the Nazi's and anti-semitism brought him into sharp conflict with the Jewish political establishment and displaced persons in Berlin. Still later he spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, Denounced the Soviet Union's oppressive policy toward writers and dissident; and actively support a number of idealistic cultural, social, political, and musical projects. Burton draws upon contemporary sources, unpublished family correspondence, and radio interviews for this richly textured biography, including Yehudi's stormy marriages. Yehudi Menuhin is "must" reading for his legions of fans and students of twentieth century classical music and musicians.

This book is a great service to music lovers. It corrects the errors and fills in the lacunae from Menuhin's own masterful "Unfinished Journey". For me, as the father of two musical daughters, it was helpful in providing greater perspective on what Menuhin's precocity looked up from his parents' point of view, and the decisions they made to allow its expression. Exhaustive note, and each chapter contains a list of recommended recordings, so one can follow along in the musical journey if one chooses.

This book is probably the most comprehensive biography I have ever read. Humphrey Burton's study on Yehudi Menuhin's life-history is a yardstick by which all authors of biographies could and should measure themselves.

I was given this book as a gift several years ago and before I decided to read it, the paperback sat on my bookshelf with time gradually yellowing it's pages. It was only until recently when I obtained a DVD performance of Hepzibah Mehuhin playing Mendelssohn's 'Variations Serieuse' that I felt inspired to finally read the book. As Hepzibah was not as famous as her brother (yet no less talented and gifted), my wish was to glean as much about Hepzibah as I could. As she played such an integral part of Yehudi's life my thirst was sufficiently quenched, and in the process I learned about the humble, giving, intellectual, spiritual, eccentric and monumental musician and character that Yehudi Menuhin was.

I would highly recommend this book to all musicians both classically and jazz orientated as a highly informative and satisfactory read. If your choice is to live the life of a musician, or if serious music is a part of your life, then this book will contribute to the musical ethos that is a musician's and music-lover's lifelong study.

The only downside I experienced regarding this book was that I accidentally left it at the airport just before finishing the very last chapter. This has proved to be deeply frustrating; so now I must source a copy or alternatively I shall have to go out and buy another. The standard of the writing and research however, is of such a consistent and unwavering high caliber that I can comfortably recommend the book even though I haven't quite finished it. On second thought, I may as well purchase the book as it would certainly merit a future re-read; and it would not be amiss on one's bookshelf as a treasured and worthy possession.