Violin Works

Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine June 2005

"Technically superb, this brilliant debut shows a fine artist in the making"
Gramophone

"The most refreshing and uplifting musical talent to have emerged in Scotland for decades"
Scotland on Sunday, Scotland's Power 100 2005, May 29th 2005

"The confidence and overall polish of Benedetti's playing are indeed remarkable...Full-bodied, lustrous sound"
The Independent, Rob Cowan (Album Review) May 17th 2005

17 year old Nicola Benedetti, who became the first Scot to win the BBC Young Musician of 2004, has released her debut album on one of the most prestigious classical labels in the music industry, Deutsche Grammophon (a subsidiary of Universal Music Group).

The album is regarded as one of the most anticipated recordings of recent times, which Nicola recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. The recording was conducted by 29 year old Daniel Harding, who was recently appointed Principal Guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

It has been a momentous year for the 17 year old violinist, since her triumph in the Young Musician competition, debuting with some of the worlds most respected orchestras, playing for HM the Queen at the opening of the Scottish Parliament and then signing a six album deal with Universal Music.

The album includes the sophisticated Szymanowski Concerto No 1, which Nicola brought to the public's attention last year. Alongside popular favourites by Saint-Saëns, Massenet and Chausson recording also features a new Sir John Taverner work, entitled Fragment for the Virgin that was especially written for Nicola. (The album also features a special backing track of the Mèditation from Thais by Massenet which will give Nicola's listeners the opportunity to play accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra.)