Gala Concert, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels 24/04/96
 On the occasion of his 80th birthday Yehudi Menuhin presented his son Jeremy to the Belgian public for the first time. He interpreted a Mozart concerto under the baton of his father. Yehudi Menuhin also conducted Vadim Repin, former winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, in Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole as well a symphony by Beethoven that the Sinfonia Varsovia interpreted with its usual virtuosity.
Presented by the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation, this concert promotes tolerance between people. The programme mirrored this quality as it celebrated the 80 years of a man who worked all his life for openness. It brought together Rossini, Mozart, Beethoven and Lalo, two soloists, one British, one Russian as well as a Polish orchestra. All the dimensions of the greater Europe, of which Yehudi Menuhin is one of the most complete incarnations.
 
The following day Lord Menuhin was the guest of honour of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Community. He participated in a debate on a Europe of Cultures: a defence plea for a dialogue between the voices of the states and the voices of the people.
At eighty, Yehudi Menuhin resolutely follows the work of this lifetime: creating links, building bridges, encouraging dialogue.
PROGRAMME
Rossini – overture – the Italian in Algiers
Mozart – piano concerto in E flat major
Soloist: Jeremy Menuhin
Beethoven – symphony nr 7
Lalo – Symphonie Espagnole for solo violin and orchestra
Soloist: Vadim Repin
 Jeremy Menuhin
A talented pianist, Jeremy Menuhin has performed with numerous renowned European orchestras. He pursues a flourishing career in the United States and regularly works with internationally renowned musicians and singers.
 Vadim Repin
After winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition at the age of seventeen, he has become the most notable young violinist in Russia since Heifets, Milstein and David Oistrakh.
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