Yehudi Menuhin was born in New York of Russian-Jewish parents. He made his violin debut at the age of seven with the San Francisco Symphony in Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, and a recital in New York followed a year later. By the time he was eleven he had made his historic debuts in Paris and Carnegie Hall. At twelve he played in Berlin and at thirteen in London, launching himself at an early age on a lifelong career that was to take him all over the world, playing with leading conductors and orchestras. From 1969 to 1975, Lord Menuhin headed the International Music Council, a non-governmental organisation funded by UNESCO. He also contributed to the institution of International Music Day - celebrated every year with cultural events on October 1 in many countries - and launched, in 1975, the IMC/UNESCO Prize. He was designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1992.