In 2004, she won BBC Young Musician, launching her career as an international concert violinist. Through July she has been presenting, with her Benedetti Foundation, Baroque Virtual Sessions - a three-week early music summer school online; baroque music is generally agreed to date from between around 1580 to 1750 - for all ages, levels and degrees of interest. What all humans bring to anything we create can be good and can be bad. Nicola Joy Nadia Benedetti CBE (born 20 July 1987) is an Italian-Scottish classical solo violinist and festival director. What about the Baltic countries and eastern Europe? Violinist Nicola Benedetti has announced a new series of ' With Nicky ', her education video series which aims to support and educate young musicians with practice tips and inspirational guidance. Ive refound in the last six or seven years, she said, such a community developed through the teaching and educating world, different parts of the industry that you wouldnt necessarily access through being a touring concert soloist., A Violinist Prepares Her Next Star Turn: Festival Leader, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/arts/music/nicola-benedetti-edinburgh-international-festival.html, Nicola Benedetti, who has made a career as a violin soloist, is taking on a festival next, with the aim, she said, to provide the deepest possible experience for people.. About. Read more: Violinist Nicola Benedetti wins Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo >. Company number: SC636675 | Charity number: SC049688, Registered Office: c/o Turcan Connell Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, EH3 9EE. Nevertheless, she insists that one mustnt throw out the baby with the bathwater. A Bonnybridge artist has completed a 10,000 commission to paint Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti after winning a television competition. As a child she studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School before going on to win. Dates of Cancer are June 21 - July 22. She left the Menuhin School shortly after and, at the age of 15, began studying privately with Maciej Rakowski, the former leader of the English Chamber Orchestra.[7]. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. In 2019, Nicola formalised her commitment to music in education when she established The Benedetti Foundation. Nicola Benedetti arriving for last years Edinburgh international festival. Over 1000 string players from 37 countries came together for our Christmas Virtual Sessions to prepare and. Its third director, Robert Ponsonby, was 30 when he took control in 1954. Nicola was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours list, for her services to music. HP10 9TY. But she added: I might struggle with not being with somebody that really understood the full extent, or not even understood but was willing to and able to discuss things relating to music its a topic that Im interested in and would like to be able to share with a partner. [30], Nicola was in a relationship with German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, whom she met at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. What happened to the Edinburgh Film Festival, Benedetti said, heightens the acuteness of everybodys vulnerability, and the need even more to be bold, clear and ambitious. When youre flying 90 people from anywhere in the world to Edinburgh, I would like audiences to really understand why we chose them, she said. After a year and a half, with so much cancelled and no opportunity to get together, can you imagine how excited theyre going to be? Benedetti enthuses. Benedetti was awarded honorary doctorates from Glasgow Caledonian University in November 2007 and from Heriot-Watt University in 2010,[17] and honorary degrees from the University of Edinburgh in November 2011. In 2019, Nicola formalised her commitment to music in education when she established The Benedetti Foundation. Teddy Jamieson, senior features writer for The Herald in Scotland, said of Benedetti, Shes always been very serious about what she does, and really interested in the place music has in society its role, its worth. That, coupled with her undimmed energy as a self-starter, resulted in the Benedetti Foundation, a music education project she started in 2019, which provides large-group opportunities for string players of all abilities. When you feel youre making enormous sacrifices for the sake of your civic duty to other people, you want to know that everyone else is participating in that too. We are the arts, we are an area of music and were supposed to be telling the full gamut of the human story, so we should be hearing it as well as seeing it.. Nicola Benedetti, who has made a career as a violin soloist, is taking on a festival next, with the aim, she said, "to provide the deepest possible experience for people." Robert Ormerod for. Her ability to captivate audiences with her innate musicianship and spirited presence, coupled with her wide appeal as a high-profile advocate for classical music, has made her one of the most influential classical artists of today. Her most recent recording of Elgars Violin Concerto entered at number one in the UKs Official Classical Album Chart and received critical acclaim including a 5* review in The Times: Yet beyond sheer agility, Benedetti offers listeners something even more valuable: a dynamic personal interpretation, refreshing and convincing. Other recent recordings include her GRAMMY award-winning album written especially for her by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis: Violin Concerto in D and Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin. Nicolas recording catalogue also includes works from Shostakovich and Glazunov Violin Concerti, Szymanowski Concerti (London Symphony Orchestra with Daniel Harding) to. He is donating his royalties from this to the charity Help Musicians, so every purchase potentially improves someone elses day as well as yours. FABIO LUISI conducts. Linehan, who will announce Augusts festival programme this month, has previously said he wants the event to be a huge civic moment from celebration to requiem after the Covid crisis. Nicola Benedetti: Elgar Violin Concerto album art work. Nicola Benedetti, who has made a career as a violin soloist, is taking on a festival next, with the aim, she said, to provide the deepest possible experience for people.CreditRobert Ormerod for The New York Times. Benedetti's innate musicianship and spirited presence makes her one of the most sought-after violinists today, coupled with the pre-eminent Scottish composer of his generation, James . I think this should be able to be said, while separately you are calling out and appropriately prosecuting wrongdoing, in a way equally uncompromising in dealing with any mistreatment of children, or women, or men. This is all part of building a contemporary musical life that really connects with todays audiences and reflects their experience. Ive heard politicians in Scotland say their focus in education, coming out of this period, is not to prioritise grade results, but to get peoples spirits and souls back to feeling creative and positive. I have a lot of trust in people, she said. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Violinist Nicola Benedetti accompanies real Ukrainian refugees stories with a soaring, Russian maestro Vladimir Jurowski joins classical stars in high-profile Stop the War, With Nicky: Nicola Benedettis educational violin videos with practice tips, 80 percent of schoolchildren say more could be done to engage young people with, Download 'Violin Concerto in A minor (2)' on iTunes. On Monday evening, the festival announced that Valery Gergiev, the Russian conductor who is a close friend and ally of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, had stepped down as its honorary president. [23], In May 2017, she was presented with the Queen's Medal for Music, the youngest of the twelve people to receive the award since it was established in 2005. Nicola Benedetti, the award-winning Scottish violinist, is to take over as director of the Edinburgh international festival, becoming the first woman to run the event. Nicola Benedetti - Baroque 54,554 views 1 year ago The Italian Baroque, and in particular the music of Antonio Vivaldi, polarises musicians and music lovers alike. Benedetti premiered James MacMillans Violin Concerto No. Its going to be paramount to our success. Her ability to captivate audiences and her wide appeal as an advocate for classical music has made her one of the most influential artists of today. [25] In 2019 she was also given the annual Royal Medal award by the Royal Society of Edinburgh for improving the lives of deprived Scottish children through Sistema Scotland and the Big Noise Orchestras. 2023 BBC. Her 2012 album The Silver Violin was the first solo instrumental album in decades not only to top the classical charts but also enter the top 30 pop album charts. The move places her close to relatives for the first time since she was a child; shes a 15-minute drive from her sister (and fellow violinist) Stephanie Benedetti, along with her 1-year-old nephew Nico and 3-year-old niece Sienna, who received her first miniature violin for Christmas. Nicola Benedetti is one of the most sought-after violinists of her generation. The pair have long enjoyed a close friendship and musical relationship, and they both believe in fighting, above all, for one thing: music education. Other recent recordings include her GRAMMY award-winning album written especially for her by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis: Violin Concerto in D and Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin. He had a real spirit for change, for making stuff happen, and was very, very ambitious about owning something, and about making money, Benedetti said, adding, hed be the first one to say that, hes not bashful at all about that.. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. I always thought that she was keen to expand in that direction, said Richard Morrison, the chief culture writer for The Times of London, adding, that did rather shock me, that shed be prepared to devote quite so much of her time and energy to that huge project.. Benedetti, who takes meticulous care of the instrument -- taking it to a violin restorer at least every month-- said Mr Moulds expected nothing in return for her using the Stradivarius. [9] Despite winning the competition, The Times reported that Benedetti was snubbed by Jack McConnell, the then First Minister of Scotland, who thought that there was insufficient public interest to merit a personal message of congratulations. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please His previous portrait subjects on the Sky Arts show included actress Kelly Macdonald and Pink Floyd's Nick Mason. Her brain, she admitted, goes in 20 different directions at once. But her aim for the Edinburgh festival is focused: to provide the deepest possible experience for people. 2 at the Proms on 7 August; bbc.co.uk/proms and is artist-in-residence at the Edinburgh Festival, August 14-21; eif.co.uk. Nicola Benedetti, 19877 - [ ] 1987 Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Theres a lonely quality to the soloist world, and especially because I didnt go to college, she said. She won a Grammy Award in 2020 for her premiere recording of Wynton Marsalis's Violin Concerto and his Fiddle Dance Suite, both . Ohhh, chips! she whispered excitedly as a takeaway carton of haggis and fries entered the room. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. rental house in winslow, az by owner. Benedetti enthuses. It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse. But for Benedetti, the more significant change has been psychological: feeling grounded enough in her technique to free up and really explore, even in the fastest, most intricately patterned corners of her repertoire, like Wynton Marsaliss Violin Concerto, written for her in 2015 and reprised by Benedetti on many occasions. The EIF said it had asked him to resign. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. Edinburgh is twinned with the city of Kyiv and this action is being taken in sympathy with, and support of, its citizens, it said. Nicola continues to hold key positions in a number of the countrys most established and high-quality youth music organisations including the National Childrens Orchestras (Vice President), Sistema Scotland (Big Sister), National Youth Orchestras of Scotlands Junior Orchestra (Patron), Music in Secondary Schools Trust (Patron), Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Patron) and many more. In March 2022, Nicola became the Director Designate of the Edinburgh International Festival, becoming Festival Director on 1 October 2022. New powers to tackle small boats set to be announced next week, Elizabeth Hurley remembers cricketer Shane Warne on anniversary of his death, AI tools like ChatGPT could play role in government science minister, London buses: Annual journeys drop by 800 million since 2016, 300 new Ulez cameras rolled out but none in rebel boroughs, RAF jets scrambled after sonic boom over Leicestershire, New First Minister will need to eat humble pie over gender reforms SNP MP, Scottish councils to receive extra 100m boost, reveals John Swinney, Frankie Boyle calls on PM to reject plans for Rosebank oil field, Buying, selling or renting, expert insight unlocks the property market, Isabel Oakeshott terminates interview over Hancock leak clash, Trio of Americans who tried to smuggle drugs through Heathrow jailed, Estate agent wins legal fight with interior designer over 10m sale, What is the Willow Project? Her latest recordings of Vivaldi Concerti and Elgars Violin Concerto entered at number one in the UKs Official Classical Album Chart. Nicola was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music in 2017, the youngest ever recipient, and has received nine honorary degrees to date. What about how the music sounds? she continues. She said: Leonard and I literally communicate every day still, were extremely close. Dealing with Brexit, well need ingenuity and creativity to solve problems, because a hell of a lot more will be coming our way: logistical issues, getting materials shipped here, all these tariffs and restrictions that we knew were potentially going to be difficult. We are doing this to improve the experience forour loyalreaders and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. Benedetti, 32, said she and her partner of 10. Benedetti said that she doesnt expect resistance from Edinburgh International Festival regulars: I have a lot of trust in people. If your priority in life is not to play your instrument to the highest possible level, I would not encourage people to go into that environment, Benedetti said, but then defended the schools specific commitment to excellence. Do you know this baby? Sam Pittis Do you mind? A pattern quickly emerged: a question, a tidal wave of thoughts on the profundity of art, a pause for breath and then, eventually, a chip. NICOLA BENEDETTI violin. Past performances include Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, Edinburgh International Festival, Alte Oper, Frankfurt, the Ravinia Festival, 92nd Street Y, New York and City Hall, Hong Kong. She is one of Britains most committed spokespeople for music education, whether running her online violin course, With Nicky, or being Big Sister for Sistema Scotland. [24], She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours, "For services to Music". By the age of nine, Nicola had already passed the eight grades of musical examinations. I do not adhere to the notion of cancelling everything. Giovanni Benedetti is a retired businessman and one of Scotland's best-known entrepreneurs. Logan Roy would hate me, says Succession star Brian Cox, Rose Ayling-Ellis: Im done with being token deaf character on TV, Beautiful and tender: Brown Boys Swim wins Edinburgh fringe Popcorn award, Edinburgh faces rat surge due to refuse workers strike, warn heritage leaders, Jerry Sadowitz hits back after show cancelled: My act is being cheapened, Jerry Sadowitz Edinburgh fringe standup show axed due to complaints, We do turn up the bass: deaf ravers party at first Edinburgh deaf festival, Equity union launches working practices charter for comedians. At 34, she is also one of the festivals youngest directors. Benedetti, a Grammy and Brit awards winner, is also the first Scot to direct the festival since its foundation in 1947, adding to the dramatic impact her appointment is likely to have on the events wider popularity and fame. Founded to revitalise European classic music in the aftermath of the second world war, the Edinburgh international festival has sought to increase its artistic and cultural diversity under Linehan and his Australian predecessor, Sir Jonathan Mills. She played in a memorial concert at Westminster Abbey celebrating the life and work of Yehudi Menuhin. ome people quit when faced with lockdown. Its dangerous and deeply unhelpful to everybody involved. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. Nicola Benedetti was born in Scotland - in West Kilbride - in 1987 and began playing the violin at the age of four. A devoted chamber musician, Nicola collaborates with cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and pianist Alexei Grynyuk, who have been performing as a trio since 2008. It culminates in a new recording, concerts at Battersea Arts Centre in July, and the Edinburgh Festival, where Benedetti is artist-in-residence. Other stars recognised on the night included composer John Williams, who won Best Instrumental Composition (and his 25th Grammy) for his masterpiece Star Wars: Galaxys Edge Symphonic Suite, and flute-playing sensation Lizzo, who took home the award for Pop Solo Performance following her powerful rendition of Truth Hurts. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. In 2000, she competed in the Menuhin Competition as a junior competitor.