Nicola Benedetti

Grammy Award-winning Scottish-Italian violinist Nicola Benedetti captivates audiences with her passionate and virtuosic performances. The soloist and David kick off the conversation with a debate about the superiority of the trumpet vs. the violin and how Nicola has expanded her instrument's repertoire championing new works, including Wynton Marsalis's violin concerto. Nicola reflects on her childhood listening to classical music with her mom and sister, attending the Yehudi Menuhin school, and how she was badly advised early in her career. She goes on to share what she thought when she was asked to be the Director of the Edinburgh International Festival and how she juggles this role, her performance schedule, and her work as the Founder and Artistic Director Benedetti Foundation. To close it out, Nicola settles an outstanding question about her daughter. We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here. Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode! Check out Nicola Benedetti on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web. To learn more about the Benedetti Foundation visit them on the web. For more info about the Edinburgh International Festival check out their site. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram. Follow David on Instagram. You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web. Photograph of Nicola Benedetti by Andy Gotts. The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper. Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman.  This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format. Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.