Photo: Allanbeavis · CC BY-SA 3.0 · credits
Tier 3 · vertical & regionalfull biography
Nicola Benedetti
Person · female · United Kingdom · West Kilbride · born 1987 · recording since 2009
Italian-Scottish classical violinist
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Also known as 尼古拉·贝内代蒂
Timeline
16 events▣ Album 10✦ Award 4◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1
1980s
2000s
· Debut release
Debut release: Fantasie
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography1,014 words · 7 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1371245435
Biography
Nicola Joy Nadia Benedetti (born 20 July 1987) is a Scottish classical violinist and festival director. Her ability was recognised when she was a child, including the award of BBC Young Musician of the Year when she was 16. She works with orchestras in Europe and America as well as with Alexei Grynyuk, her regular pianist. Since 2012, she has played the Gariel Stradivarius violin.
In 2019, Benedetti founded the music education charity The Benedetti Foundation and became the first woman to lead the Edinburgh International Festival when she was made Festival Director on 1 October 2022.
Early life and education
Benedetti was born in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland, to an Italian father and an Italian-Scottish mother. She has an older sister, Stephanie, who is also a violinist and a member of the electronic string quartet group Escala and touring member of Clean Bandit.
Benedetti started to play the violin aged four with lessons from Brenda Smith. At eight, she became the leader of the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. By the age of nine, she had already passed the eight grades of musical examinations while attending the independent Wellington School, Ayr, and, in September 1997, began to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School for young musicians under Lord Menuhin and Natasha Boyarskaya in rural Surrey, England. At the end of her first year (1998), she played solo in the school's annual concert at Wigmore Hall, and performed in London and Paris as a soloist in Bach's Double Violin Concerto with Alina Ibragimova. She played in a memorial concert at Westminster Abbey celebrating the life and work of Yehudi Menuhin. In 2000, she competed in the Menuhin Competition as a junior competitor.
Career
In 1999, Benedetti performed for the anniversary celebrations at Holyrood Palace with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.
In 2000, Benedetti performed with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Opera. Subsequent performances followed with the City of London Sinfonia, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, etc.
In August 2002, Benedetti won the UK's Brilliant Prodigy Competition, broadcast by Carlton Television. She left the Menuhin School shortly after and, at the age of 15, began studying privately with Maciej Rakowski, the former leader of the English Chamber Orchestra. In spring 2003, Benedetti, invited as a soloist by the London Symphony Orchestra, participated in the recording of the DVD titled Barbie of Swan Lake at Abbey Road Studios. In October 2003, as the extra feature on this DVD, "Playing With Passion" was filmed and released by Mattel. BBC Scotland, using this DVD, created a documentary on Benedetti, which was broadcast on television in the UK in March 2004.
In May 2004, two months before her 17th birthday, Benedetti won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, performing Karol Szymanowski's First Violin Concerto in the final at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. As a result, she came first in the music section of the Top Scot award in December 2005, at the age of 18. The Times reported that Benedetti was snubbed by Jack McConnell, the then First Minister of Scotland, who thought that there was insufficient public interest to merit a personal congratulatory message. In response to a public and political outcry, McConnell telephoned Benedetti to acknowledge her success.
In September 2012, Benedetti performed at the Last Night of the Proms, playing Violin Concerto No. 1 by Max Bruch. That same year, Benedetti was lent the 1717 "Gariel" Stradivarius by London banker and London Symphony Orchestra Board member Jonathan Moulds.
Apart from solo performances, Benedetti performs in a trio with the German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and the British-Ukrainian pianist Alexei Grynyuk.
Benedetti was chosen as the subject for the winner of the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2021, Calum Stevenson, and this portrait now hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Benedetti is represented by Charlotte Lee at Primo Artists.
Official honours
Benedetti was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year's Honours "For services to Music and to charity", In May 2017, she was presented with the Queen's Medal for Music, the youngest of the twelve people to receive the award since it was established in 2005. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours, "For services to Music".
Honorary degrees
Benedetti was awarded honorary doctorates from Glasgow Caledonian University in November 2007 and from Heriot-Watt University in 2010; she was also awarded honorary degrees from the University of Edinburgh in November 2011 and from the University of Leicester in July 2013. She was awarded an honorary degree from the University of York in August 2020.
Other honours and awards
In 2015, Benedetti was listed as one of BBC's 100 Women.
Benedetti was elected an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March 2017. In 2019 she was given the annual Royal Medal award by the Royal Society of Edinburgh for improving the lives of deprived Scottish children through Sistema Scotland and the Big Noise Orchestras.
In 2020, Benedetti won the Grammy for best classical instrumental solo for Marsalis: Violin Concerto; Fiddle Dance Suite. She was awarded the 2021 ISM Distinguished Musician Award. In 2022, she was appointed honorary president of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).
Benedetti received the 2023 Edinburgh Award, which is given to individuals who have made an important contribution to the city and brought it to national and international attention. The award was given in recognition of her work as director of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Personal life
Benedetti was in a relationship with German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, whom she met at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music. Although that relationship has ended, they continue to perform together and are good friends. In March 2024, Benedetti announced that she was pregnant with her first child. In July 2025, an article in The Daily Telegraph confirmed that she is married to Wynton Marsalis, whom she met when she was 17 and he was 42, and that he is the father of her daughter, Elise.
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 18 | 78.1th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 13 | 84th |
| Studio albums | 10 | 91.1th |
| Awards recorded | 7 | 98.2th |
| Timeline events | 16 | 91.8th |
| Recording span (years) | 16 | 37.8th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (13 release groups · 10 studio albums)
Albums · 10
2009 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 8 tracks · 1:08:53
1Zigeunerweisen, Op. 208:592The Lark Ascending16:033Introduction and rondo capriccioso in A minor9:194Meditation from Thais5:405Tzigane10:036Spiegel im Spiegel9:507Vocalise, Op. 34 No.146:118Apres une reve2:482011 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:16:42
1Concerto In D RV208 “Grosso Mogul” I. Allegro5:272Concerto In D RV208 “Grosso Mogul” II. Recitativo: Grave2:383Concerto In D RV208 “Grosso Mogul” III. Allegro6:424Vedro Con Mio Diletto – Aria from Giustino4:255Sonata in G Minor (Devil’s Trill) I. Andante4:356Sonata in G Minor (Devil’s Trill) II. Allegro3:487Sonata in G Minor (Devil’s Trill) III. Andante/Allegro5:328Concerto in A minor RV358 “La Cetra” I. Adagio - Presto2:569Concerto in A minor RV358 “La Cetra” II. Largo1:5810Concerto in A minor RV358 “La Cetra” III. Allegro3:1011Sonata No. 6 In A Major (From Sonate Accademiche Op. 2) - Largo - From Sonata VI Of Sonate Accademiche Op. 23:4412Violin Concerto in A minor, D115 “A Lunardo Venier” I. Allegro-Cantabile - Allegro Assai4:3313Violin Concerto in A minor, D115 “A Lunardo Venier” II. Andante-Cantabile5:0014Violin Concerto in A minor, D115 “A Lunardo Venier” III. Presto5:2915Nulla in Mundo Pax Sincera (Aria)7:0616The Four Seasons: Summer I. Allegro Non Molto4:4617The Four Seasons: Summer II. Adagio e Piano - Presto Forte2:1218The Four Seasons: Summer III. Presto2:412012 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 1:17:55
1Schindler’s List: Main Theme3:522Die tote Stadt, op. 12: Tanzlied des Pierrots4:203Por una cabeza3:544The Gadfly, op. 97a: III. Youth3:455Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35: I. Moderato nobile9:496Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35: II. Romance: Andante8:257Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35: III. Finale: Allegro assai vivace7:328Ladies In Lavender3:289"The Counterplan", op. 33: II. Andante2:4410My Edward & I (from "Jayne Eyre")4:5911Concertino from "Eastern Promises": I. Eastern Promises2:0712Concertino from "Eastern Promises": II. Tatiana3:0813Piano Quartet in A minor: I. Nicht zu schnell11:4914Five Pieces for 2 Violins and Piano: I. Prelude2:3315Die tote Stadt, op. 12: Marietta’s Lied5:30Homecoming: A Scottish Fantasy
2014 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:15:50
1Scottish Fantasy: I. Introduction: Grave - Adagio cantabile8:272Scottish Fantasy: II. Scherzo: Allegro6:173Scottish Fantasy: III. Andante sostenuto7:004Scottish Fantasy: IV. Finale: Allegro guerriero9:235Ae Fond Kiss4:406Auld Lang Syne Variations4:087My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose3:468Hurricane Set4:079The Dean Brig o’ Edinburgh / Banks Hornpipe3:1410Aberlady3:4911Mouth Music and Tunes Set5:1412The Gentle Light Than Wakes Me6:0813Coisich a rùin (Walk, My Beloved)4:1114Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond5:26Violin Concerto / Fiddle Dance Suite
2019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:07:03
1Violin Concerto in D: Rhapsody12:382Violin Concerto in D: Rondo Burlesque10:103Violin Concerto in D: Blues10:184Violin Concerto in D: Hootenanny10:195Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin: Sidestep Reel3:596Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin: As the Wind Goes4:077Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin: Jones’ Jig4:058Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin: Nicola’s Strathspey4:279Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin: Bye-Bye Breakdown7:002020 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 58:49
1Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: I. Allegro17:292Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: II. Andante11:373Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: III. Allegro molto18:424Sospiri, Op. 70 (Arr. Violin and Piano)4:105Salut d'amour, Op. 123:096Chanson de nuit, Op. 15, No. 13:422021 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 52:26
1Concerto grosso in D minor, H143 “La Follia”11:292Violin Concerto in D major, RV 211: I. Allegro non molto5:363Violin Concerto in D major, RV 211: II. Larghetto3:464Violin Concerto in D major, RV 211: III. Allegro4:505Violin Concerto in E-flat major, RV 257: I. Andante molto e quasi allegro4:506Violin Concerto in E-flat major, RV 257: II. Adagio2:567Violin Concerto in E-flat major, RV 257: III. Allegro3:108Violin Concerto in B minor, RV 386: I. Allegro ma poco4:469Violin Concerto in B minor, RV 386: II. Larghetto3:4710Violin Concerto in B minor, RV 386: III. Allegro3:2111Violin Concerto in B-flat major, RV 583: II. Andante3:552024 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 58:19
1“Triple” Concerto for Violin, Piano & Cello in C, op. 56: I. Allegro16:522“Triple” Concerto for Violin, Piano & Cello in C, op. 56: II. Largo –4:523“Triple” Concerto for Violin, Piano & Cello in C, op. 56: III. Rondo alla polacca12:25425 Scottish Songs, op. 108: No. 2, Sunset3:43525 Scottish Songs, op. 108: No. 20. Faithfu’ Johnie3:45626 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No. 8. Farewell, Thou Noisy Town1:10726 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No. 25. The Parting Kiss3:19826 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No. 18. Sweet Richard2:139Irish Songs II, WoO 153: No. 40. When Far From the Home2:1910Irish Songs II, WoO 153: No. 34. By the Side of the Shannon2:011122 Scottish Songs, WoO 156: No. 19. The Banner of Buccleuch1:2212Londonderry Air (Farewell to Cucullain) for Violin, Cello & Piano4:182025 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 41:05
1Violin Concerto in D, op. 61 - I. Allegro ma con troppo23:102Violin Concerto in D, op. 61 - II. Larghetto9:073Violin Concerto in D, op. 61 - III. Rondo8:482025 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 56:42
1Polonaise de concert in D Major, op. 4 (Arr. Goss for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello)5:162Sicilienne (Prev. Attrib. Paradis) [Arr. Pochin & Morgan for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello]3:213Farewell to Stromness (Arr. Campbell for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello)3:474Carmen Fantasy, op. 25 (Arr. Goss for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello): I. Intro. Aragonaise – Habanera5:335Carmen Fantasy, op. 25 (Arr. Goss for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello): II. Lento assai – En vain pour éviter5:186Carmen Fantasy, op. 25 (Arr. Goss for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello): III. Seguidilla – Canto gitano4:307From Jewish Life, B. 54: I. Prayer (Arr. Parkin for Violin, Accordion & Cello)4:198Skye Boat Song (Arr. Chaimbeul & Campbell for Violin & Scottish Smallpipe)4:339A’ Choille Ghruamach (Arr. Chaimbeul & Campbell for Violin & Scottish Smallpipe)4:5310Hacky Honey Reel (Arr. Chaimbeul for Violin & Scottish Smallpipe)2:4911Estrellita (Arr. Campbell for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello)3:4312Navarra, op. 33 (Arr. Goss for 2 Violins, Guitar, Accordion & Cello)6:1213Beau soir, CD 84 (Arr. Parkin for Violin, Guitar, Accordion & Cello)2:28
Album · 1
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The ViolinSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks · 1:16:051Le quattro stagioni, RV315 “L’estate”: III. Presto2:32 2The Lark Ascending16:00 3Hungarian Dance no. 5 in G minor2:45 4Spiegel im Spiegel (excerpt)9:46 5Nocturne no. 20 in C‐sharp minor4:32 6Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35: Finale: Allegro vivacissimo10:12 7Thaïs: Méditation5:38 8Violin Concerto no. 1 in G minor, op. 26: II. Adagio9:01 9Czárdás4:33 10Ladies in Lavender: Main Theme3:27 11Schindler’s List: Main Theme3:46 12Por una cabeza3:53 | Compilation | 1 January 2013 |
Single · 2
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Traditional: Londonderry Air “Farewell to Cucullain” (Arr. Kreisler for Violin, Cello & Piano)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 4:171Traditional: Londonderry Air “Farewell to Cucullain” (Arr. Kreisler for Violin, Cello & Piano)4:17 | 26 April 2024 | ||
| 2024 | 22 Scottish Songs, WoO 156: No. 1, UntitledSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 1:22122 Scottish Songs, WoO 156: No. 11:22 | 17 May 2024 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Nicola Benedetti head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 18 | 78.1th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 13 | 84th |
| Studio albums | 10 | 91.1th |
| Awards recorded | 7 | 98.2th |
| Timeline events | 16 | 91.8th |
| Recording span (years) | 16 | 37.8th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | BBC Young Musician | won | |
| 2015 | BBC 100 Women | won | |
| 2016 | The Queen's Medal for Music | won | |
| 2017 | Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh | won | |
| — | Classic Brit Awards | won | |
| — | Commander of the Order of the British Empire | won | |
| — | Member of the Order of the British Empire | won |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nicky_Benedetti.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/d3f36494-31aa-4567-b226-f01394d9d5a4discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/d3f36494-31aa-4567-b226-f01394d9d5a4core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q462739genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q462739seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Benedettibiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Benedetti
Why this artist is in the database
- List of Scottish musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Allanbeavis · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q462739 · MusicBrainz: d3f36494-31aa-4567-b226-f01394d9d5a4
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