Guide to the Yehudi Menuhin Collection ARS-0040

Finding aid prepared by Frank Ferko

Archive of Recorded Sound

Braun Music Center

541 Lasuen Mall

Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305-3076

650-723-9312

soundarchive@stanford.edu

Descriptive Summary

Title: Yehudi Menuhin Collection

Collection number: ARS-0040

Creator: Menuhin, Yehudi, 1916-1999

Collection size: 1.1 linear feet, 2 boxes

Repository: Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries

Stanford, California 94305-3076

Abstract: The collection contains primarily sound recordings of performances of Yehudi Menuhin as violin soloist, with piano accompaniment by Hephzibah Menuhin, or with orchestral accompaniment. Most of the recordings are test pressings made between 1938 and 1950. The first box also contains one folder with three record labels that were removed from three Menuhin discs which are not included in this collection.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English, Japanese, French

Dates: 1938-1950

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open for research. Listening appointments may require 24 hours notice. Contact the Archive Operations Manager.

Conditions Governing Use note

Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.

Preferred Citation note

Yehudi Menuhin Collection, ARS.0040. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, CA.

Sponsor

This collection has been processed under the auspices of the Council on Library and Information Resources with generous financial support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Biographical/Historical note

Yehudi Menuhin, an American violinist, conductor, and teacher of Russian descent, was born in New York on April 22, 1916. His early violin studies were with Sigmund Anker and Louis Persinger, and he completed his training with Adolf Busch and George Enescu. As a child prodigy, he gave his earliest professional concerts in San Francisco in 1924 and followed those performances with highly successful debut concerts in New York, Paris, Berlin and London. As a prolific recording artist, Menuhin became known for his performances of Edward Elgar's Violin Concerto, which he recorded in 1932 with the composer conducting. His interest in new music produced more than 40 commissions from such noted composers as Béla Bartók ( Sonata for Solo Violin) and William Walton ( Sonata for Violin and Piano). Menuhin also championed lesser known works of the past such as Mendelssohn's early Concerto in D Minor and Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto. During the Second World War Menuhin gave more than 500 concerts, and in 1945 he was the first Jewish musical artist to perform in Berlin with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler. In the late 1940s Menuhin became more active as a conductor and teacher. In 1959 he founded the Bath Festival Orchestra, and in 1963 he founded the Menuhin Music School, both in the U.K. As a teacher, he also published books on violin playing and wrote an autobiography. Menuhin remained an active performer throughout his life and died in Berlin on March 12, 1999 during a concert tour of Germany.

Scope and Contents note

This collection of sound recordings was assembled by the family of Yehudi Menuhin. The recordings are primarily 10" and 12" 78 rpm sound discs, including test pressings for various companies such as Victor and The Gramophone Company, from recording sessions that took place between 1938 and 1950. The collection is divided into two sections: (1) 6 10" double-sided discs, with an additional folder containing 3 miscellaneous record labels that were removed from Menuhin discs which are not included in this collection; (2) 33 single-sided and 13 double-sided 12" 78 rpm test pressings + 1 commercially released 12" 33 1/3 rpm long playing disc.

Arrangement note

The collection consists primarily of sound discs and is arranged in two boxes, first by disc size, then alphabetically by composer name. Discs with works for which no composer has been identified are filed alphabetically by title in each box. (1) 10" 78 rpm sound discs + 1 folder of miscellaneous record labels. (2) 12" 78 rpm sound discs, + 1 LP (33 1/3 rpm) sound disc.

Indexing Terms

Baller, Adolph

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827

Boskovich, Alexander Uriyah, 1907-1964

Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897

Enesco, Georges, 1881-1955

Fershko, Shmuel

Fogel, Y.

Kreisler, Fritz, 1875-1962

Lalo, Edouard, 1823-1892

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, 1809-1847

Menuhin, Hephzibah, 1920-1981

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791

Nissimov, Nissim

Orchestre de l'association des concerts Colonne.

Paganini, Nicolò, 1782-1840

Pizzetti, Ildebrando, 1880-1968

Saidenberg, Theodore

Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828

Solovieff, Miriam

Swoboda, Henry

Weiner, M.

Wiener Staatsoper. Orchester.

Wieniawski, Henri, 1835-1880

Concertos (Violin)

Sonatas (Violin and piano)

Violin and piano music

Violin music

Violin with orchestra

Violinists--United States

Box 1

10" sound discs and miscellaneous labels

Physical Description: 7.0 folders

General note

Folders 2-7 contain 10" 78 rpm sound recordings.

Box 1, Folder 1

Menuhin labels from 78 rpm 10" discs: 06-02-1948

Physical Description: 1.0 folder

General Physical Description note: 3 paper record labels.

Scope and Contents note

(1) Friendship bridge, performed by Yehudi Menuhin, 3/21/42, #7 of 8. (2) Bruch Concerto (conclusion), performed by Yehudi Menuhin, 6-3-52, Pt. VII of 4-3-52. (3) Paganini Concerto (conclusion), performed by Yehudi Menuhin, 6-3-1952, Part VII of 28-2-52.

Box 1, Folder 2

Boskovich, Alexander Uriyah, 1907-1964: Horra Agadati, arr. by Shmuel Fershko - Popper: The cedars, (Arazim), arr. by Shmuel Fershko. 06-02-1948

Physical Description: 10" vinyl 78 rpm sound disc

Material Specific Details note: Copyright by Tslil Co., Tel Aviv. June 2, 1948 (dub)

Scope and Contents note

Paul Holmes Recording Studios: 409 (side 1), 401 (side 2).

Box 1, Folder 3

Weiner, M.: With cymbals and drums, arr. by Nissimov, Nissim - Y. Fogel: Bo Dodi ("Come My Beloved"), arr. by Nissimov. 06-02-1948

Physical Description: 10" vinyl 78 rpm sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Paul Holmes Recording Studios: 405 (side 1), 404 (side 2). Recorded 06-02-1948.

Box 1, Folder 4

Bairo - Gojouraku

Physical Description: 10" shellac 78 rpm sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Victor: P1219 VE, P1218 VE (matrix)

Box 1, Folder 5

Engigaku - Keitoku

Physical Description: 10" shellac 78 rpm sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Victor: P1221 VE, P1220 VE (matrix)

Box 1, Folder 6

Etenraku - Ojokiu

Physical Description: 10" shellac 78 rpm sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Victor: P1216 VE, P1217 VE (matrix)

Box 1, Folder 7

Sazanami - Koromogae

Physical Description: 10" shellac 78 rpm sound disc

Box 2

12" sound discs

Physical Description: 48.0 78 rpm discs

General note

12" 78 rpm test pressings, except Folder 15 which contains a commercially released 33 1/3 rpm microgroove LP disc.

Box 2, Discs 1-6

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827. Sonatas, violin, piano, no. 7, op. 30, no. 2, C minor. 03-30-1938

Physical Description: 6 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Hephzibah and Yehudi Menuhin, and recorded 3-30-1938.

Gramophone Co. Ltd. 2EA 6177-1 [square], 2EA 6178-1 [square], 2EA 6179-1 [square], 2EA.6180-1 [square], 2EA.6182-1 [square], 2EA.6183-1 [square] (matrix nos.)

Box 2, Discs 7-9

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827. Sonatas, violin, piano, no. 3, op. 12, no. 3, E-flat major.

Physical Description: 3 12" shellac 78 rpm double-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Hephzibah and Yehudi Menuhin.

Matrix nos. in typescript on labels: 2AA-39-2, 2AA-40-2, 2AA-41-2, 2AA-42-1, 2AA-43-1

Box 2, Discs 10-13

Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897. Sonatas, violin, piano, no. 1, op. 78, G major.

Physical Description: 4 12" shellac 78 rpm sound discs: 3 double-sided discs, 1 single-sided disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Hephzibah and Yehudi Menuhin, piano and violin.

Matrix nos. in typescript on labels: 2AA-32-1, 2AA-33-1, 2AA-34-1, 2AA-35-1, 2AA-36-1, 2AA-37-1, 2AA-38-1

Box 2, Disc 14

Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897. Hungarian dance [unspecified] 02-21-1950

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by [Yehudi] Menuhin; T[heodore] Saidenberg, piano, and recorded 2-21-1950.

Matrix no. handwritten on label: D9-RC-1294-1

Separated Materials note

Disc is slightly damaged and has been moved to a separate, specially constructed box. Contact the Head of the Archive of Recorded Sound for assistance.

Box 2, Disc 15

Lalo, Edouard, 1823-1892: Concerto for violin and orchestra in F major, op. 20. Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828. Rondos, violin, string orchestra, D. 438, A major.

Physical Description: 12" vinyl 33 1/3 rpm LP microgroove sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Miriam Solovieff, violin; Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera; Henry Swoboda, conductor.

Concert Hall: CHS 1143

Box 2, Discs 16-18

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, 1809-1847. Concertos, violin, orchestra, op. 64, E minor.

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Y. Menuhin, Orch. des Concerts Colonne, G. Enesco, conductor.

Gramophone Co., Ltd.: (See Folder 19 for Side 1 of this work) Side 2: 2LA.2467-1 [square] Side 3: 2LA.2468-1 [square] Side 4: 2LA.2469-1 [square] Side 5: 2LA.2470-1 [square] Side 6: 2LA.2471-1 [square] Side 7: 2LA.2472-1 [square]

Box 2, Disc 19

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, 1809-1847. Concertos, violin, orchestra, op. 64, E minor. - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Sonatas, violin, piano, K. 378, B-flat major. Andantino sostenuto e cantabile.

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Side A: Performed by Y. Menudin [i.e. Menuhin], Orch. des Concerts Colonne, G. Enesco, conductor. Side 1 (of 7 sides): Gramophone Co., Ltd. 2LA.2455-1 [square]. (See discs in Folders 16-18 for remaining sides)

Side B: Performed by Taltah and Yehudi Menuhin. Gramophone Co., Ltd. 2EA.6621-3 [square]

Box 2, Discs 20-25

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Concertos, violin, orchestra, K. 218, D major. 02-11-1939

Physical Description: 6 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Fritz Kreisler and orchestra, and recorded 2-11-1939.

Gramophone Co., Ltd. 2EA.6212-3 [square], 2EA.6213-4 [square], 2EA.6214-2 [square], 2EA.6215-3 [square], 2EA.6216-4 [square], 2EA.6217-4 [square]

Box 2, Disc 26

Paganini, Nicolò, 1782-1840. Moto perpetuo. (Perpetual motion) (Allegro de concert, op. 11).

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Jascha Heifetz. Victrola 12835 (matrix 74581)

Separated Materials note

Small portion of label detached and stored in separate envelope.

Box 2, Discs 27-33

Pizzetti, Ildebrando, 1880-1968. Sonatas, violin, piano, A major. 05-06-1938

Physical Description: 7 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound discs

Separated Materials note

Label for disc in Folder 33 detached from disc, stored in separate envelope.

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Yehudi and Hephzibah Menuhin, and recorded 5-06-1938.

Gramophone Co., Ltd. 2EA 6610-1 [square], 2EA.6611-1 [square], 2EA.6612-1 [square], 2EA.6613-1 [square], 2EA.6614-1 [square], 2EA.6615-1 [square], 2EA.6616-1 [square]

Box 2, Discs 34-37

Pizzetti, Ildebrando, 1880-1968. Sonatas, violin, piano, A major. Selections - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Sonatas, violin, piano, K. 301, G major. Allegro.

Physical Description: 4 12" shellac 78 rpm double-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by H[ephzibah] and Y[ehudi] Menuhin.

Gramophone Co., Ltd.: 2EA.6610 I [square], 2EA.6611 I [square], 2EA.6612, 2EA.6613, 2EA.6614, 2EA.6615, 2EA.6616

Side B of disc in Folder 28: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Sonatas, violin, piano, K. 301, G major. Allegro. Gramophone Co., Ltd. 2EA.6622

Box 2, Disc 38

Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828. Sonatinas, violin, piano, D. 384, D major. Andante. 12-15-1949

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by [Yehudi] Menuhin, and recorded 12-15-1949.

Matrix no. handwritten on label: D9RC 2026-1

Box 2, Discs 39-41

Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828. Sonatas, violin, piano, D. 574, A major. 1949-1950

Physical Description: 3 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by [Yehudi] Menuhin. Matrix nos. handwritten on labels: D9RC 2031-1 (recorded 12-08-1949), D9RC 2031-1 (recorded 12-09-1949), D9RC 2032-1C (recorded 02-02-1950)

Box 2, Discs 42-44

Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828. Sonatas, violin, piano, D. 574, A major. 1949

Physical Description: 3 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by [Yehudi] Menuhin; A. Baller, piano, and recorded in 1949.

Matrix nos. handwritten on label: D9-RC-2028-2A (recorded 12-2[?]-1949), D9RC-2029-2 (recorded 12-08-1949), D9RC 2029-1 (recorded 12-13-1949)

Box 2, Discs 45-46

Wieniawski, Henri, 1835-1880. Légende.

Physical Description: 2 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound discs

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Y. Menuhin and orch., Geo. Enesco, [conductor].

P.M. Invendable: 2LA.2473-1, 2LA2474-1, 215138

Box 2, Disc 47

Etenraku.

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm double-sided sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Imperial Court Orch. of Japan. Part 1: Victor M 111 - Part 2: Victor M 112

Box 2, Disc 48

Kaddish.

Physical Description: 12" shellac 78 rpm single-sided sound disc

Scope and Contents note

Performed by Y. Menuhin.

P.F. Invendable: 2CA-928