Festival Menuhin

The Festival Menuhin: a musical tribute in Ville-d'Avray

Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) is one of the greatest figures in 20th-century classical music. A child prodigy violinist who became one of the most admired performers of his time, he is also an honorary citizen of Ville-d'Avray, a charming town in the Hauts-de-Seine department where he lived with his family for five years, from 1930 to 1935. It is in this setting, intimately linked to his musical childhood, that the Association des Concerts de Ville-d'Avray (ACVA) created the Festival Menuhin in 2016, the first festival in France entirely dedicated to his memory.

A festival founded on passion and transmission

Initiated by passionate music lovers, the Festival Menuhin was born from the desire to perpetuate the link between Ville-d'Avray and this musical genius who left his mark on the town. Since 2016, each edition has renewed the dialogue between local heritage and the great tradition of European classical music. The concerts are held at the Château de Ville-d'Avray, 8 rue de Marnes — a refined architectural setting that welcomes artists and their audience in an atmosphere of elegance and contemplation.

A program of classical, romantic, and modern music

The Festival Menuhin's program covers a wide repertoire, from the classical and romantic composers cherished by Menuhin himself — Bach, Bartók, Beethoven, Brahms, Elgar, Mendelssohn, Mozart — to contemporary works. The concerts combine violin recitals, chamber music, and various ensembles, in a spirit of curiosity and excellence that honors the memory of the great artist.

The ACVA is committed to inviting leading performers — soloists, duos, and chamber ensembles — while also giving a platform to emerging young talents, in line with Menuhin's educational and humanist commitment, as he dedicated a large part of his life to music education and transmission.

Ville-d'Avray and the Menuhin legacy

Ville-d'Avray, nestled in the Bièvre valley on the outskirts of Paris, is a town with a rich cultural heritage. The Corot ponds, the wooded landscapes of the nearby Parc de Saint-Cloud, and the Château give the town a peaceful and inspiring character that was dear to Menuhin. The festival perpetuates this intimate link between the artist and his place of residence, inviting new audiences each year to discover or rediscover the work and humanism of this exceptional musician.

The ACVA, cultural engine of Ville-d'Avray

The Association des Concerts de Ville-d'Avray, founded several decades ago, organizes classical music concerts in the town throughout the year. The Festival Menuhin is the highlight of its annual activities, attracting an audience of connoisseurs and the curious from neighboring towns and Paris. Thanks to the support of the town hall and local partners, the ACVA maintains a program of remarkable artistic quality at affordable prices.