Soloist: Baller, Adolph

Soloist: Dorati, Antal

Soloist: Menuhin, Yehudi

Orchestra: Hollywood Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Dorati, Antal

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Composer: Mendelssohn, Felix

Composer: Brahms, Johannes

Composer: Sarasate, Pablo de

Composer: Bazzini, Antonio

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Venue: Charlie Chaplin Studios, Hollywood

Date of Concert: 1947

Playing Time: 01:30:05

Television Director: Gordon, Paul

Producer: Gordon, Paul

Producer: Moskov, George

Catalogue Number: EuroArts5461

UPC: 880242546180

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The archival gems included here are taken from footage for the legendary 1948 Hollywood film "Concert Magic" (the first ever concert filmed for movie audiences). At nearly 25 minutes, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto was too long for inclusion in the film, so although it is Menuhin's only filmed performance of the work it has only recently been discovered. To see one of the greatest ever violinists perform one of the greatest ever violin concertos is undoubtedly a compelling experience. The encore pieces that follow are superb documents of his seemingly effortless virtuosity. These performances by the 32-year-old Yehudi Menuhin show him at the height of his career. Yehudi Menuhin was one of the best-known violinists of the 20th century - he was universally popular and was frequently received as an ambassador of classical music. With "Concert Magic", which premiered in San Francisco in 1947, he made the first ever motion picture concert in film history. He also produced many short films for the cinema ?EUR" used to fill the space between the traditional "double features". An especially valuable rarity was found among these - Felix Mendelssohn's Violin concerto. Pianist Adolph Baller and the Symphony Orchestra of Hollywood conducted by Antal Dorati joined Yehudi Menuhin at the Charlie Chaplin Studios in 1947. Two features show Yehudi Menuhin in interview in 1997 commenting on his playing technique, the origins of the film and very personally speaking of his memories of the time.