Menuhin’s old home receives a blue plaque

Menuhin’s old home receives a blue plaque

News

norman lebrecht

January 25, 2023

The building in Belgravia where Yehudi Menuhin spent the last 16 years of his life has received a blue plaque from English Heritage to denote its cultural significance.

Before downsizing to Belgravia with his wife Diana, Menuhin lived for 23 years in a house in Highgate, north London.

Comments

  • Jan Kaznowski says:

    Sting bought the house in Highgate from YH.

    • Armchair Bard says:

      Jan’s remark above about the Menuhin–Sting Highgate handover reminds of another musical property chain, albeit one not so directly linked. Some while back now, I discovered by chance that Simon Rattle had bought the house Richard Rodney Bennett owned during the 1970s in (then deeply unfashionable) Lonsdale Square, Islington.

      At some point I remarked on this to Richard. “Yes,” he replied. “And when I tell Sir Simon exactly how much I paid for that house in 1969 – £11,580 – all those silver curls will fall out on the spot.”

  • J Barcelo says:

    Not bad for the San Francisco born violinist. Just out of curiosity: is there a list somewhere of all the Blue Plaques that are out there, who is commemorated and the locations? Might make an interesting day trip in the UK.

  • Greg Bottini says:

    If anyone deserves a Blue Plaque, it’s Menuhin.

  • David K. Nelson says:

    Not really on-topic but years ago I was in New York City to give a talk and afterwards wandered around Manhattan looking for a place to eat lunch that wasn’t going to raise eyebrows back at work with the green eyeshade types who checked our expense account submissions.

    While strolling I was fascinated to find myself reading a plaque stating that Béla Bartók had lived there. Knowing how broke Bartók was I figured the Irish pub nearby was likely affordable and it was.

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