Classical reviews: Nicola Benedetti, Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Despite the programme filled with examples of how photogenic Ms Benedetti is, once she’s on the stage, it’s all about the music.

Nicola Benedetti

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

****

Benedetti may be deemed the accessible face of classical music, but this has never given her licence to dumb down. Quite the opposite. Her music choices stretch both the audience and Benedetti herself, and this concert was no exception.

Named after her CD of the same name, The Silver Violin tour is so called because of the cinematic music it features. But again, aside from John Williams’s main theme from Schindler’s List, none of the pieces are obvious choices.

Accompanied by talented pianist Alexei Grynyuk, Benedetti paid particular attention to the work of Korngold, including a pre-show film about his life and work. The second half was dedicated exclusively to Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio, during which Benedetti and Grynyuk were joined by cellist Leonard Elschenbroich. A deeply emotional work, written after the death of Tchaikovsky’s mentor, it left all three musicians visibly drained, and brought about an undeniable connection between performers and audience.

Benedetti shines bright on stage, but has no desire to hog the limelight. Just as in the short film that preceded the Trio, she left ample space for Grynyuk and Elschenbroich to speak to the audience, both verbally and musically.

A brisk, joyful encore (featuring big sis, and fellow violinist, Stephanie Benedetti) 
of the well-known Por Una Cabeza tango and we were sent into the night satisfied and smiling.