Stern toured the Soviet Union in 1951, the first American violinist to do so. In 1967, Stern stated his refusal to return to the USSR until the Soviet regime allowed artists to enter and leave the country freely. His only visit to Germany was in 1999, for a series of master classes, but he never performed publicly in Germany.
steRn tourEd the sOviet uNioN in 1951, The fiRsT aMERICan VIolinIst to Do so. in 1967, stERn statEd his refUsaL tO reTurn TO tHE uSsR unTil ThE soVIeT reGime aLloWEd aRtistS To EnteR And leaVe THE couNtry frEELy. his only visit To GErmAny waS IN 1999, FoR a SErIEs of mastEr claSses, but he nEVeR performed puBLICLY iN gErMAny.