Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-10
BY HELEN FETTER.

A youthful American genius has come
to Washington. Yehudi Menuhin, H.
year-old yioliniSt, arrived here late tues
day night. The first thing this little
boy. who is a great artist, wanted to
see was the Spirit of ST. Louis, Col.
Lindbergh's airplane, in which he made
the famous transatlantic flight. YehudI
spent yesterday morning seeing some
of the outstanding sights of Washington
and meeting President Coolidge at noon,
under guidance of Representative FlGr-
ence Kahn of California, where the
Menuhin family makes its home:
The Lincoln Memorial also held spe-
cial interest for little Yehudl. The chllo
is reading with keen enjoyment Ine
Life of Abraham Lincoln" written by
Carl Sandburg. Today Yehudi looked
forward to a long auto ride which ne
hopes will include visit at the 400,
where he may see the baby gorilla,
Ni'gi. Tomorrow afternoon Yehr i will
give his initial concert in Washington.
one of 10 culled from offers OF zoo,
to be given by him this year.
Father Guides Boy.
The above may give some general
idea of the varied cultural background,
the advanced academic outlook, yet
the normal child's reaction to other in
terests. that has made this boy genius
and not lust another child prodigy"
For this achievement, trinity Is re-
sponsible: First, the wise father, Moshe
Menuhin, who has carefully, earnestly
and with utmost sincerity and hlgneSt
ideals guided his child's steps in every
direction; secondly, his teacher. Louis
Persinger. of whom Arthur Nikisch
said 1.-THE splendid young violinist, one
of the most talented pupils the Leipzig
Conservatory ever. has had" and tnlrd.
ly, the perfect artistic and pnyslcal
equipment of the child himself:
Mr.. Menuhin remarked in an inter-
view Yesterday that many children of
marked talent in one particular line
are ruined by their parents losing the
proper sense of proportion and blindly
praising and spelling their children,
not protecting them from outside harm
full fiattery or cooperating with their
teachers to bring about the best possible
| results for the childs normal growth
in every direction as well as in the
| particular art in which he has talent.
"Often I sacrifice the true, instructive
| reaction as a parent in this endeavor
to bring Yehudi up in the best possible
way" said Mr. Menuhin. There are
| times after concert when / would like
to throw my arms about him and tell
| him the beauty of his playing, but !
dare not; it would ruin everything.
Instead, I say: Eyes, you played quite
well, Yehudi, but you can do better"
| Also, Mrs. Menuhin and have to
realize that we can not accept presents
as private individuals for Yehudi. He
might have the most wonderful collec-
| ion of instruments, if we did so. But
we will not compromise step. AS 1t is
I know (but Yehudi does noD that
when we return to San Francisco from
| this tour, marvellous $4,000
Stradivarius will be awaiting him
donated by benefactor who will re-
main unknown to the public"
| Parent Has Real Job.
This business of being parent to q
| genius is full-fedged job. Mr.
Menuhin gave up position as super
intendent of the Hebrew schools of Sar
Francisco to undertake it. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Menuhin, who as young
couple came to America from Palestine
are fond of music. although neither