Nicola Benedetti plays Elgar

Superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti joins the Philharmonia in Elgar’s tempestuous and tender Violin Concerto, followed by an all-French second half with music by Chaminade and Debussy.

Recorded on the 19th April at the Royal Festival Hall, presented by Ian Skelly

Elgar Violin Concerto

Interval

Chaminade Callirhoë Suite
Debussy La Mer

Nicola Benedetti (violin)
Philharmonia
Cristian Măcelaru (conductor)

Superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti joins the Philharmonia in Elgar’s tempestuous and tender Violin Concerto.

Nicola Benedetti is one of the best-loved violin soloists of our time and a regular and popular collaborator with the Philharmonia. Her chart-topping recording of this formidable work was praised for ‘a sure sense of direction and lots of heart’ (The Guardian) – an accurate description of Benedetti’s approach to everything she does.

Debussy’s La Mer was inspired by the paintings of Turner and Hokusai, and of course the sea itself – ‘my old friend, the sea… always endless and beautiful.’ In three evocative movements the composer described as ‘symphonic sketches’, the orchestra, with added sparkle from harps and percussion, conjures up the movement of wind and waves.

To complete this programme full of poetry and invention, conductor Cristian Măcelaru has chosen the suite from Cécile Chaminade’s 1888 ballet Callirhoë. It’s a beguiling introduction to her music for the Philharmonia’s players and listeners alike.