Menuhin's Legacy in the Saanenland

The world-famous violinist, conductor and humanist Yehudi Menuhin passed away 25 years ago today.
In the mid-1950s, Yehudi Menuhin and his family discovered the Saanenland and Gstaad. He was fascinated and inspired by the elemental force of nature and the mountains. He was not only impressed by the gentle Alpine landscape of the Saanenland, but also by the meeting of French-speaking Switzerland, German-speaking culture and the nearby south with Italianità.
He left a lasting legacy in the Saanenland, where he founded the legendary Gstaad Menuhin Festival in 1957.
His love of different cultures, his musical creativity and his humanitarian work made him an important citizen of the world. In the course of his life, he was also active as a teacher and campaigned for humanitarian projects.
Yehudi Menuhin died on 12 March 1999 in Berlin, but left behind a legacy that extends far beyond his musical work.
The legacy of the violinist of the century is deeply rooted in the DNA of the festival, which is reflected not least in the music education and talent promotion programmes, but also in the newly launched Mission Menuhin.

Status 12 March 2024