Page 36 - Final_Coverage Book_Virtual Benedetti Sessions

Speaking of the project, Ms Benedetti made particular reference to the composer’s
“non-traditional training and understanding of people”.

“During these unprecedented times, the recreation of community and collectivity is
urgently needed and there is no better way than through arts and music. As part of

our ‘With Nicky’ series, I am excited to teach this beautiful piece via social media
channels and I hope that many, many young violinists will join me to explore it

further together, and then give a mass virtual performance. I can’t wait!”

The Benedetti Foundation has made resources available to help young violinists join
in the project. Sheet music for Salut d’Amour can be downloaded free from the
website, where there are performances by the violinist to play along with as well as

by her accompanist Petr Limonov alone, so that the student can be the soloist. Ms
Benedetti’s own performance with Mr Limonov will be released as a digital single by
Decca on Friday April 17.

Nicola Benedetti’s initiative, and the wider work of her foundation, is only part of a

huge transfer of music-teaching resources to online formats as a result of the Covid-
19 crisis. The National Youth Choir of Scotland’s National Boys Choir, which should
have been meeting for a residential course over the Easter school holidays, is instead

convening under artistic director Christopher Bell for online sessions this week. On
Tuesday evening, the Scottish Awards for New Music, originally planned as an event

at V&A Dundee, will happen online instead, hosted by broadcaster Jamie
MacDougall, with Ms Benedetti as one of the celebrity presenters.

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