Oxford is mouring world famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who died at the age of 82.

During his lifetime the virtuoso musician performed many concerts in Oxford - and was awarded an honorary doctorate in music from Oxford University in 1962.

Lord Menuhin, who died in Berlin yesterday, had cancelled a concert in the German city on Tuesday because he was unwell.

The violinist, who was born in New York of Russian parents, adopted British nationality in 1985.

Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, he was also generous with his talents and his time, founding a music school in Surrey and a foundation in Brussels. Just before Christmas, Lord Menuhin was promoting music teaching in British schools because he believed it could play a civilising role in society. David Stone, the chief executive of the Oxford Philomusica orchestra and former principal violinist in Menuhin's Bath Festival Orchestra, said: "He was a supreme musician and it was a unique experience to work with such a personality."

He added: "He was one of the greatest communicators I've ever come across."

A concert at the Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, Oxford, on March 16 by the Oxford Philomusica orchestra will be dedicated to Lord Menuhin.

Story date: Saturday 13 March

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