Menuhin was born on , in New York City. His parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants who had journeyed to the United States by way of Palestine. Menuhin asked for his first violin when he was four, and began lessons with Sigmund Anker, but was soon accepted as a student by Louis Persinger . Menuhin made his formal debut at age eight on February 29, 1924, playing with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra .
At age ten, while still giving concerts, Menuhin travelled...