Albert Sammons

1916–99, British violinist and conductor, b. New York City. Menuhin, an extraordinary prodigy, began playing the violin at four. He made his debut with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra at seven, then studied in Europe with Adolf Busch and Georges Enesco. After a world tour (1934–35) of unprecedented success, he retired to study for two years. During World War II he performed hundreds of concerts for Allied troops and relief efforts. He was the founder of Switzerland's Gstaad Festival (1957). Menuhin introduced little-known works and promoted Eastern music in lectures and performances, such as his collaboration with Ravi Shankar, East Meets West. Bartók 's Sonata for Solo Violin was written for Menuhin. He became a British subject and was knighted (1985); in 1993 he was created Baron Menuhin of Stoke D'Abernon.

How did he do it? How could an innocent, inexperienced child interpret the classics with so great a degree of sensitivity and comprehension that distinguished artists, five times his age, unhesitatingly treated him as their equal? Three-quarters of a century after he made the first of the records that to this day continue to dazzle all who hear them, it seems less likely than ever that science alone will supply an answer to the riddle that was Yehudi Menuhin.… (más)