The original concept of the concert “Dancing Violins”, created by Marianne Poncelet, Secretary General of the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation, was a very simple one: violin and dance are inseparable, as is the flexibility of a body freed by natural rhythm, which enables vibrations to be expressed and notes to blossom into space to touch the public.

The exceptional concert performed in Luxembourg on 31st March 2006 in the beautiful concert hall of the Philharmonie, in the presence of the Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg, was a journey through various cultures and emotions: the effervescent colours of Haiti, the nostalgia of Cape Verde, the temperament and precision of Argentinean tango, the fire and passion of flamenco, the eternal quality of Indian music and at the core Bach, corner stone of classical Western music.

The IYMF brought together, especially for this concert, remarkably talented artists from different cultures, all ambassadors of the ideals promoted by the Foundation. For the finale all of them came on stage to recall Yehudi Menuhin’s powerful message of harmony through music, singing together the melody that he wrote once for the Foundation. The Maestro was indeed with all of us that night, when we commemorated his memory through music and words by Federico Mayor Zaragoza, who so warmly introduced each artist on stage.

This musical event celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Crédit Suisse, as well as the 30th anniversary of the presence of the Crédit Suisse in Luxembourg.

Above all, it celebrated the date of Yehudi Menuhin’s 90th birthday with a unique homage from all musicians and dancers.