There are many things I need to investigate as I follow classical music. One of them is the meaning of The Glasgow Unesco City of Music. All I know it that I hear it about it, and it seems to be an initiative to promote events. The latest is a tour by Nicola Benedetti.
Benedetti is a violinist from Scotland who has risen to prominence in the last few years - in a similar manner to that faux-cockney geezer who now lives in Poland - for her versions of relatively familiar and tuneful classics. She did the Lark Ascending, a very English piece that mocks the apparent beauty of its melody through a rambling structure that would not disgrace free jazz.
This tour is being called The Silver Violin and culminates in a weekend "of concerts, masterclasses and participatory sessions designed to engage, challenge, inspire and nurture young string players at Glasgow’s City Halls."
Although she is still young, Benedetti already has an OBE - not just for playing violin real good, but for her commitment to musical charities in the UK. She is going to be working with the young musicians of the NYOS and the RCS to lay down Bartok's Divertimento. As the wikipedia entry explained to me, divertimentos are meant to be fun. That won't stop me from pointing out that, like The Maids, it was written in the shadow of WWII.
Nicola said: “I have wanted to do something like this for years as an extension of my music education work. I’m just delighted to have the support of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, Creative Scotland, NYOS & RCS. I really hope the weekend will be insightful and enjoyable for the 40 young people and children participating but also for the public who come join in and watch our performances and sessions. It will also be great to be back in Scotland, as the weekend falls during my Silver Violin Tour. In the preceding months, I will have been to Scandinavia, Europe, USA and South East Asia, so it will be a relief to be spending such a long time back at home!”
Svend Brown, Director of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Nicola Benedetti and partners NYOS and RCS to deliver this hugely exciting weekend of events. Glasgow UNESCO City of Music’s core aim is to champion excellence and promote the participation in and enjoyment of music in Glasgow, especially within young people. The Benedetti Sessions truly embodies this ethos and is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians and the people of Glasgow and beyond to hear, learn from and perform with one of the nation’s finest musical talents. We’re very much looking forward to hearing the results of this project.”
Svend Brown, Director of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Nicola Benedetti and partners NYOS and RCS to deliver this hugely exciting weekend of events. Glasgow UNESCO City of Music’s core aim is to champion excellence and promote the participation in and enjoyment of music in Glasgow, especially within young people. The Benedetti Sessions truly embodies this ethos and is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians and the people of Glasgow and beyond to hear, learn from and perform with one of the nation’s finest musical talents. We’re very much looking forward to hearing the results of this project.”
I am glad that Svend Brown has turned up in this press release. I had him on the Radio Hour last year, and he has been the driving force behind the Minimal festivals, and is very keen on making the connection between contemporary classical and new audiences. Maybe that is what Unesco is all about.
THE BENEDETTI SESSIONS – EVENT LISTINGS
22-24 March 2013
Glasgow City Halls
Produced by Glasgow UNESCO City of Music in association with the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and supported by Creative Scotland
FRIDAY 22 MARCH
INTERMEZZOGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 6.30-7.30pm
All Tickets £5: 1 paying adult can bring 1 child for free
Nicky will welcome everyone with a short performance and some words. But this is really your chance to play WITH her! If you’d simply like to come and listen, nothing could be simpler - tickets are on sale right now at the Glasgow Concert Halls box office. Full details at www.benedettisessions.com
SATURDAY 23 MARCH
We’ll be working hard all day and into the night, rehearsing and practising like fury.
SUNDAY 24 MARCH
INSPIRING ENCOUNTERGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 2-3pm
Entry free to ticket holders for DIVERTIMENTO (reservation required)
INSPIRING ENCOUNTERS are all about getting close-up with major performers, composers and movers and shakers in the music world. Nicola Benedetti will talk about her music, career and ambitions and this exciting new project in conversation with Svend Brown, then it is over to you: anything you have always wanted to ask? (you can submit questions ahead of time online atwww.benedettisessions.com or on the Glasgow City of Music Facebook page.)
Presented by Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.
DIVERTIMENTOGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 3.30-4pm
All Tickets £5: 1 paying adult can bring 1 child for free
Come hear the results of all the hard work in this culmination of the Benedetti Sessions: Nicky and all the young players who have been rehearsing all weekend perform Bartok’s Divertimento, conducted by Gordon Bragg
JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE ORCHESTRAGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 7.30pm
Tickets £10.50 (£7.50)
Hebba Benyaghla Piano
Nigel Boddice Conductor
Rimsky-Korsakov Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op.36
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat, Op.10
Elgar Cockaigne (In London Town), Op.40
Gershwin An American in Paris
THE BENEDETTI SESSIONS – EVENT LISTINGS
22-24 March 2013
Glasgow City Halls
Produced by Glasgow UNESCO City of Music in association with the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and supported by Creative Scotland
FRIDAY 22 MARCH
INTERMEZZOGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 6.30-7.30pm
All Tickets £5: 1 paying adult can bring 1 child for free
Nicky will welcome everyone with a short performance and some words. But this is really your chance to play WITH her! If you’d simply like to come and listen, nothing could be simpler - tickets are on sale right now at the Glasgow Concert Halls box office. Full details at www.benedettisessions.com
SATURDAY 23 MARCH
We’ll be working hard all day and into the night, rehearsing and practising like fury.
SUNDAY 24 MARCH
INSPIRING ENCOUNTERGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 2-3pm
Entry free to ticket holders for DIVERTIMENTO (reservation required)
INSPIRING ENCOUNTERS are all about getting close-up with major performers, composers and movers and shakers in the music world. Nicola Benedetti will talk about her music, career and ambitions and this exciting new project in conversation with Svend Brown, then it is over to you: anything you have always wanted to ask? (you can submit questions ahead of time online atwww.benedettisessions.com or on the Glasgow City of Music Facebook page.)
Presented by Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.
DIVERTIMENTOGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 3.30-4pm
All Tickets £5: 1 paying adult can bring 1 child for free
Come hear the results of all the hard work in this culmination of the Benedetti Sessions: Nicky and all the young players who have been rehearsing all weekend perform Bartok’s Divertimento, conducted by Gordon Bragg
JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE ORCHESTRAGlasgow City Halls, Grand Hall, 7.30pm
Tickets £10.50 (£7.50)
Hebba Benyaghla Piano
Nigel Boddice Conductor
Rimsky-Korsakov Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op.36
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat, Op.10
Elgar Cockaigne (In London Town), Op.40
Gershwin An American in Paris
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