Yehudi Menuhin School launches first commercial album

The Yehudi Menuhin School (YMS) has launched the first fully commercial recording in the school’s 61-year history. Produced in collaboration with Orchid Classics, Around the World in 80 Minutes brings listeners on a trip across the globe through a variety of musical styles and forms part of the school’s pioneering partnership with Orchid Classics, originally announced in 2021.

Recording sessions for the album took place across two years, to allow recording to fit into the busy schedule of the Surrey-based specialist music school. The new album features pupils from the school (aged 12-19) alongside world-class artists performing arrangements by staff and pupils led by producer Andrew Keener

Yehudi Menuhin School director of music Ashley Wass said: ‘This project exemplifies the School’s dedication to providing exciting opportunities for its pupils to help them reach their full potential. I am so proud of what they have achieved, and the experience will stay with them for a lifetime.’

Starting in England with Elgar’s Chanson de Matin performed by Ukrainian-British violist and Yehudi Menuhin School associate artist 2021, Maxim Rysanov, the album takes listeners to Spain, with a performance of Sarasate’s Navarra by YMS alumna Coco Tomita and her sister, current YMS pupil, Yume Tomita alongside the Menuhin School Senior Orchestra. The French element of the programme takes the form of Debussy’s Danses Sacrée and Profane performed by the orchestra under the baton of conductor Matthew Taylor with student harpist Rebecca You.

Babajanian’s Elegy in Memory of Khachaturian, arranged for piano and strings by YMS pupil Sasha Parker sees Rysanov team up with the senior orchestra again, before travelling to Asia with YMS pupil Tom Yang who conducts his own arrangement of Huang Haihuai’s Horse Race. Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe’s Little Suite brings elements of Aboriginal music to the album with the Menuhin School Senior Orchestra conducted by YMS head of orchestral training Otis Enokido-Lineham, who also leads a performance of Fela Sowande’s Akinla from the African Suite.

The album also takes in global influences from countries including Argentina and Cuba before concluding in Ireland with an arrangement of Londonderry Air by pupil Mika Petrovic. It can be streamed or purchased here.