Last night I saw Nicola Benedetti playing the Sibelius violin concerto with the Royal Philharmonia under Vladimar Ashkenazy, in Aberdeen!

It was utterly amazing and truly spellbinding!!!

I even took my OH, who isn't that keen on classical music, and he thought it was brilliant. She really is a stunning girl and I love her sound. This is the third time I've seen her play (previously the Tchaikovsky and Szymanovski) and she is clearly more mature as time goes on and her sound is divine. (I'm a fan )

I'm now at the stage where I watch these great violinists and don't think 'I wish I could do that', but just sit and marvel at the fact out of all the millions of people in the world every now and then one totally special person comes along and should be treasured. I love what I do with my own life and can now relax and enjoy the brilliance of others. (I used to be a wannabe musician.. but I've let that go..)

Isn't life great

It's strange how some people feel inadaquate when they see someone great play, but I'm like you Lottie. I feel grateful to be a part of the concert, even if is only as an observer. In fact watching such events makes me feel proud in a childish kind of way - along the lines of 'I can play the violin too'

Cool! It's always nice to see great performers live! I've seen Benedetti twice, once at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh (gorgeous venue! Upstairs it has these wooden seats and feels rather more like an old music hall than a theatre) with the RSNO, and once at Virgin (now HMV!) in Glasgow (it was the launch of one of her CDs). I just become utterly transfixed at good music concerts, become completely absorbed in the music - I wouldn't have the chance to feel inadequate! (I criticise my own playing very harshly, but professional concerts are not the time to concern myself with that!) Though I also find it fun to watch the orchestra to see how the musicians bows are perfectly in sync!

A bit off topic given this is the Strings forum, but on the subject of concerts on Friday I got tickets to see Ekaterina Shcherbachenko singing with the RSNO. It's not for a couple of months yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it!

I love Nicola Benedetti, i wish i was her!!
She's absolutely fantastic and so pretty too
Plus i LOOOVE the sibelius concerto! shame i can only play the first 4 lines!!

We are going to see her play the Glazanuv concerto in October in Tundbridge Well. I'm really looking forward to it, although i don't know that concerto at all - not a composer I've come across much.

I'm taking my 7 year old, who will love it, and my 11 year old who i suspect will say 's'alright'.