Return of Yehudi

In the careers of child prodigies the passing of a year may mean the loss of prodigiousness. Frail, ethereal qualities which appeal in the diminutive often seem puny when legs are longer. Hence last week the interest of a great Manhattan audience was tinged with fear as it flocked to hear Yehudi Menuhin, 12, in his first violin concert since his year abroad (TIME, Feb. 6, 1928; Jan, 7, 1929). Reluctantly many noted the inevitable change when he came on stage carrying a full-sized violin. The chubby legs were longer. The accustomed white suit had been changed for a solemn black one. But when he played Beethoven's D Major Sonata he showed increased technical skill, broader and warmer tone, more mature style. Even more amazing was the manner in which he accomplished a hazardous Bach sonata unaccompanied. His audience cheered loudly and many who had transferred his title of "greatest wunderkind" to the startling and even younger violinist Ruggiero Ricci (TIME, Dec. 9) at once restored it to Yehudi. Prophets foresaw a Menuhin-Ricci dispute which would stir such arguments as are currently waged over the relative merits of Fritz Kreisler and Jascha Heifetz.

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