Nicola Benedetti launches the Global Violin Sessions
Benedetti Foundation latest series of digital sessions takes young musicians on a virtual musical trip across the world
Last updated 10th Nov 2020
Nicola Benedetti brings her groundbreaking Virtual Sessions back later this month from 16 November to 13 December, taking young musicians from across the world on a worldwide through the eyes of the violin.
Trumpeter, composer and educator Wynton Marsalis has written a short tune which will be played by Nicola Benedetti, after which it will be passed round four countries over three weeks – America, Hungary, Finland and Serbia – from one violinist to another.
Each violinist will make the their own, changing rhythms, twisting notes, and adding all sorts colours and effects. Along the way, each participant will teach the participants how they do it. Participants will gain insight into the musical worlds of each tradition, told by the violin and led by a stellar line up of great musicians.
Who are the virtuoso violinists leading the Benedetti Foundation Global Violin Sessions?
America – Week One
Tessa Lark – bluegrass tradition
Mark and Maggie O’Connor - American folk fiddle tradition
Hungary – Week Two
Roby Lakatos – classical, jazz and folk idioms of Hungary
Geza Hosszu-Legocky – Hungarian gypsy-Roma traditions and he will be joined by his award-winning group the Five-DeViLs
Finland & Serbia – Week Three
Pekka Kuusisto – inspired by the traditional music of Finland
Nemanja Radulovic – inspired by the Eastern European folk tradition
Over a four-week period, the leading violinists will teach the participants, through a combination of live and pre-recorded lessons, the nuances and techniques of their tradition.
They will delve deep inside their worlds, and participants will not only learn about how to play in their style, but also learn about why they sound the way they do and make the choices they make.
Nicola Benedetti said of the new sessions, “Music has always shown us the similarities and diversities of the human story with nuance, clarity and accuracy. It gently but undeniably states a worldview that requires no rebuffing. There is space in the world for us all. There is space for our individualities and particulars and differences. We are all allowed to be who we are and have love and acceptance of that identity. But how often do we demonstrate acceptance, curiosity and openness towards the story and cultures of others? What happens if you take one tune and send it around the world? The Global Violin is about to start to find out and we can’t wait!’
Woven together by the masterful hand of Wynton Marsalis, and supported by the Ayoub Sisters, the Benedetti Foundation will produce a series of small compositions based on folk traditions of America, Hungary, Finland and Hungary. The final film will bring these tunes together and take a visual and aural journey around these cultures through the eyes of the violin. On the weekend of the 12 - 13 December, the Foundation will then deliver a final weekend of activities, culminating in the premiere of this short film.
How to particpate in the Benedetti Foundation Global Violin Sessions
If you’d like to participate in the Benedetti Foundation Global Violin Sessions, sign-up online. Participation is free but donations are sought (though no one will be prevented from attending due to financial circumstances).
Hear a first play of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Nagada Sang Dhol from The Ayoub Sisters on Simon Mayo's Show on Wednesday 11 November from 10am.