Memories of San Francisco with Yehudi Menuhin (1983)
Last night at the Philadelphia Symphony Concert, Yehudi Menuhin played.
I determined at intermission I’d introduce myself. I stood on line among all the music lovers. In a truthful atmosphere, I stepped out to get water and in getting back in line I thought I stepped in front of the man I was behind.
I apologized . He said, “No matter. We are all lovers of music so we don’t mind.”
I got to Yehudi and said “I am the niece of Millie Oppenheimer and Max Rosenberg.”
His eyes lit up and he answered, “It’s like Moses come to visit! If your relatives hadn’t provided my parents with the money for Louis Persinger to teach me, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Thank you,” I said and then added “My contact with you was something else. I showed you how to mount a horse and hold the reins.”
He excitedly said “Do you remember my mother screamed ‘Get down! You’ll hurt your hands.”
I did remember. We laughed. I thanked him for his beautiful program and graciousness.
Tears- thinking of my riches in Tanse and Uncle Max.
ruthweissremembered 
I know this is short and hardly enough to constitute its own entry. I’m having trouble saying goodbye to the San Francisco years because they seem so magical and exciting. And yet, there’s not much written about that time. So forgive me while I try and include everything about that period.
Yehudi Menuhin was a famous violinist and conductor throughout much of the 20th century and rose to prominence as a child prodigy in San Francisco in the 20s and 30s. As you’ll see, Ruth never shied away from associations with celebrities and artists and this is just another example of her deep connection with the people she came in contact with. It seems so fitting that her association with him was treating him how to mount a horse. That’s my grandmother!