Yehudi Menuhin Movies

Each presentation in the Classic Archive collection from EMI Classics features select performances from legendary classical music artists. Culled from the BBC (UK) and INF (France) archives of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the selections are taken from various music festivals, recitals, and recording studio sessions. The original footage is carefully restored and compiled by music historians in order to present an overview of each artist's representative work. This installment features Russian violinist David Oistrakh, violinist/conductor Yehudi Menuhin and Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and a handful of their joint performances. Works by Bach (1958 and 1962), Mozart (1963), and Brahms (1965) are included. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

This film is a portrait of the illustrious violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Born in New York April 22, 1916, Menuhin was a child prodigy on the violin. He went to San Francisco to study, and gave his first public performance with the Mendelssohn concerto at the age of seven. At age 15, he recorded what is still considered the high water mark of the Elgar Violin Concerto, conducted by the composer himself. Always exploring new directions, Menuhin studied and played with the Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar, and the French jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. In addition to performing throughout decades of a long and brilliant career, Menuhin also started several orchestras, and was involved in numerous philanthropic enterprises. The film uses personal interviews, photographs and footage of live performances from Switzerland, France, Germany, Poland, Austria, England and America, giving the viewer an in depth look at this beloved musician. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

In this installment of the series, Yehudi Menuhin hosts another discussion about the development of music, focusing on its continuing role in western society. Music of Man: The Parting of the Ways looks at the variety of American music, as the songs of Stephen Foster found favor with the public. Scott Joplin introduced the new form called ragtime, and the rousing marches of John Philip Sousa played to enthusiastic audiences. In Europe, Stravinsky introduced his highly original "Rite of Spring," considered to be one of the most important works of the 20th century, to a very unappreciative crowd. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

No one knows what moved man to create the first musical instrument, which was probably made out of a dried up bone. Evidence places this instrument some 3,500 years ago. In the first of this series of films exploring man's affinity for music, host Yehudi Menuhin begins the discussion with an overview of the first cultures to have music in their lives. Music of Man: The Quiver of Life looks at the forms that music took in ancient China, Japan, Sumeria, and Greece. Menuhin brings a knowledgeable presence to the programs, lending depth to the productions. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

Host Yehudi Menuhin continues to examine music's place in western society in this installment of the series Music of Man. Technology introduced the transistor radio and color TV, bringing more new music to the masses. The availability of music on inexpensive long-play records helped to popularize many genres, including jazz, rock & roll, folk, and punk music. Despite the proliferation of popular music, classical pieces were still in demand, and the unique works of Bartok are examined in this film. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The Italian Renaissance led to developments in science and the arts, as well as in music. Music of Man: New Voices for Man looks at opera, which blended music and drama, a genre the Italians embraced. Also during the Renaissance, the sonata and the concerto made their first appearances through the composer Corelli, and musical instruments became more sophisticated as Stradivari perfected his craft. Host Yehudi Menuhin also discusses the effects of African music on Europeans. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

During the Romantic period, music developed with the advent of the symphony orchestra. Instruments continued to be improved as both brass instruments and woodwinds became more versatile, and the grand piano became a fixture. Music of Man: The Age of the Individual explains how these new tools helped to propel composers such as Paganini, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Verdi, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Strauss to new heights of creativity. Their works were marked by emotion and passion not previously experienced in music history. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The 65-minute Concert Magic offers several top musical talents at their individual peaks. Dominating the proceedings is violinist Yehudi Menuin, who renders five solos, including Beethoven's Rondo Allegro and Sarasate's Malaguena. He then performs a duet, Bach's St. Matthew's Passion, with contralto Eula Beal. Pianist Jakob Gimpel contributes Tschaikovsky's None But the Lonely Heart and three Mendelsohn pieces. Also contributing musically are pianists Adolph Baller and Marguerita Campbell and the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Antal Dorati. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide