Nicola Benedetti, already hailed as one of the most prodigious (excuse the word) violinists around, made some noteworthy remarks in a recent interview. She loved her teacher Natasha Boyarskaya for her discipline and strictness, which made her work hard. She played a tour of Scottish schools, to show how hard work could get you far (the tour convinced her that kids don't hate classical music). And she felt that it should not be marketing and money that elevate an artist to stardom but talent. Also, she spoke out against the "bigger, better, faster"-mentality, displayed by some young musicians.

At the age of 17, Benedetti has now signed a six-album deal with Deutsche Grammophon/Universal, which is considered to be "the biggest in the last 25 years" according to her management. Still, it allows for total artistic freedom: "I don’t see why it should be impossible for me to display my own approach to music, while also understanding that they want to make money.”

Indeed, why not - her debut is to be released May ninth and will contain Massenets "Méditation" as well as Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No.5.

Source: Sunday Herold
Homepage: Nicola Benedetti