Search - Yehudi Menuhin: Violin of the Century on DVD

Professional Quality Film of Menuhin's Life & Work

Michael LaGrega | Kansas City | 05/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I saw that Bruno Monsaingeon had made this film, I took the risk and bought it off the shelf. Monsaingeon, who also made the excellent, Art of Violin film, has put the same kind of deep appreciation into this Menuhin work and, for that, I was not disappointed. The film is crafted into what the sleeve calls "... the form of a souvenir album, and it would be as if Menuhin himself was leafing through it for us, chapter by chapter". In fact, the documentary presents dozens of photos as it carries the story of his life forward along with approximately 40 different interludes of archival footage from 1932 on up through 1988. Interspersed is Menuhin himself talking to an off-camera interviewer discussing his life as a prodigy, musical development, family relationships, etc. Very candid and personal. Each archive clip runs about a few minutes apiece and includes solo work, sonata pieces with Hephzibah, concertos with Dorati, etc. A wide range from Schubert, Brahms, etc. to Bartok, Elgar, etc. on even to his work with Ravi Shankar and Stephane Grappelli. I was a little disappointed however in just a few things: 1> He didn't really discuss how he worked to overcome his technical difficulties he experienced in his later years 2> The "East meets West" footage with Ravi Shankar was rather murky 3> I would have enjoyed seeing a few other violinists (ala Art of the Violin) discussing Menuhin's life/work as well. Perhaps we can't always have it all, but this 129 minute DVD did deliver some real decent goods for 20-something bucks."

Inspiring

R. Cooper | Japan | 04/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know much about Yehudi Menuhin, other than what's presented on this DVD; but even if it were all fantasy, the DVD is supremely inspiring. We have a storybook tale of how hard work (and innate talent) can pay off, told, mostly, by the eloquent man, himself, in his 80s. He is wonderfully expressive, emotional, intellectual, and has obviously spent many, many an hour analyzing music, his own life, and the lives of people around him, allowing him to give us provocative insights that may even relate to our own lives (mine, anyway). Whether or not it's an accurate portrait of the man, I have no idea. But I find myself watching this beautifully done film over and over, for the excitement of the presentation, the gorgeous music, and, I must add, because it makes me feel good."