Menuhin, Hephzibah (1920–1981)

American pianist and social activist who concertized widely in the United States and Europe, often with her brother. Born on May 20, 1920, in San Francisco, California; died in London, England, on January 1, 1981; daughter of Moshe Mnuchin (who would later change his name to Moshe Menuhin) and Marutha Menuhin (1896–1996); sister of Yaltah Menuhin and the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin (1916–1999); married Lindsay Nicholas; married Richard Hauser.

Hephzibah Menuhin was born in 1920 in San Francisco, California, the daughter of Moshe Menuhin and Marutha Menuhin . In Hebrew, the name Hephzibah means "the desired one" or "the longed-for one." A prodigy like her brother, the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Hephzibah gave her first public performance as a pianist in 1928. After studies in San Francisco, she journeyed to Paris to continue her education with Marcel Ciampi. A distinguished musician in her own right, she also toured widely as a duo partner with her brother in the United States and Europe. She also developed a solid reputation for her sparkling chamber music performances, including such popular favorites as Schubert's "Trout" quintet, and performed concertos, particularly those of Mozart. Hephzibah's social activism focused on achieving justice and peace in the world.

sources:

Dubal, David. Conversations with Menuhin. NY: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1992.

"Hephzibah Menuhin," in Janet Podell, et al., eds. The Annual Obituary 1981. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1982, pp. 2–3.

"——," in The Times [London]. January 3, 1981, p. 14.

"——," in The Times [London]. January 22, 1981, p. 16.

Menuhin, Moshe. The Menuhin Saga: The Autobiography of Moshe Menuhin. London: Sidgwick & Jackson, 1984.

Menuhin, Yehudi. Unfinished Journey. London: Methuen, 1996.

"Menuhin Sister Dies at 60," in The Times [London]. January 2, 1981, p. 4.

Palmer, Tony. Menuhin: A Family Portrait. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1991.

Rolfe, Lionel Menuhin. The Menuhins: A Family Odyssey. San Francisco: Panjandrum/Aris Books, 1978.

Slonimsky, Nicolas, ed. Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. 8th ed. NY: Schirmer Books, 1992.

"Yehudi Menuhin," in The Economist. Vol. 350, no. 8111. March 20, 1999, p. 91.

related media:

"The Menuhin Family" (LP recording, Seraphim S-60072).

Monsaingeon, Bruno (videocassette, EMI MVD-4914753), "The Violin of the Century," 1996.

"A Tribute to Hephzibah Menuhin" (two audiocassettes), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 1981.

John Haag , Associate Professor of History, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia