Evening star., 1932-12-04
Yehudi Menuhin Called
Child Wonder of Century
Youthful Prodigy of the Violin Heads Long List Of
Boy Virtuosi Who Have Amazed the
World in the Past IS Years.
By Alice Eversman.

prodigy was forgotten and only
the conSummate artistry re-
manned dominant. At the end Of
the program they streamed tc
the platform to see him, his won-
derful hands, his marvellous Strad,
from a closer view.
The charm of 1t all Is that, al
though the favorite of two worlds,
Yehudi the boy, remains un-
changed, earnest and modest,
with his dreary smile and unaf-
fected ways. For this, the world
can thank the wise care that has
surrounded him and kept him a
normal child while permitting his
genius to have it's way. He is
fortunate in his parents. They
have seen that he leads q simple
life, practicing few hours a day,
playing and studying. All the
panegyricS of the press were kept
from him so that he knew moth
ing of his fame beyond his sue
cess on the stage. Since his ffrst
appearance in New York it has
been the same triumphal march
through the capitals of the world.
In Europe, six of the oldest and
most famous orcheStraS altered
their rules and regulations to per-
NIT him to play, not only a con-
certo as is the custom, but an en-
tire program to their accompani-
ment. Australia, Japan, South
Africa have offered all induce
ment to have him visit them, but
his parents refuse.
They have now settled in villa
near Paris, where Xehudi is close
to George EneSco with whom he
will continue to work. His con-
certising season Is cut from six
to four months so that for some
years to come eight months of
every year will belong to him un-
disturbed by public playing. These
months are to be spent in the
study of many subjects. On his
American tour this Winter he will
play entirely new programs.
Washington will have an oppor-
tunity to hear them, when Mrs.
Wilson, Greene brings him on her
course In February.
THE depression has brought to
New York the serious prob
lem Of great numbers Of unem-
ployed musicians to solve In addi-
ton to other worries. Most peo-
pie have been forced to cut down
on luxurieS and music has been
considered such by many. None
have suffered so seriously from
the sudden withdrawal Of sup
port as the orchestra musicians.
SoloiSts are accustomed to spas
modic engagements and usually
arrange their lives accordingly,
but the orchestra musician uses
his art as means Of livelihood
not only for himself, but for his
family.
Symphony players have spent
their lives in this work and have
grown old In their profession. Now
after years Of concentration on
they find themselves. with
out employment, and too old and
too unframed for other work.
This acute suffering has demand
ed drastic consideration. Walter
DamroSch has energetically plan
ned relief. He has formed an Or
chestra composed of ITS SYM
phonic players now unemployed,
and will give a series of five con-
certs, the proceeds of which will
go toward permanent fund for
the relief of musicians without
work. Many famous artists and
conductors have offered their tai
ents to help the cause. Bruno
Walter, Eugene Goosens, Ossip
Gabrilowitsch, Paul Kochanski,
Fritz Kreisler, Harold Bauer and
Margaret Matzenauer are some of
them.
The first concert was given last
week with Jascha Heifetz as SOLO
ist. Madison Square Garden was
filled with an audience who could
afford the reduced prices at which
such artists could be heard and
the general enthusiasm that
seemed to affect performers and
audience alike proves that this Is
a good idea and one that appeals
tn ones sense of peneroSity