Classical stars at Baycourt

Cellist Leonard Elschenbroich. Photo/Felix Broede

MUSIC fans are in for a treat next week when two international stars of classical music team up with the NZSO to perform Brahms and Beethoven at Baycourt.

Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti, 29, is a captivating violinist and has been described as one of the most influential classical musicians of today.

Benedetti made history as an 8-year-old by becoming the youngest person to lead the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. At only 16 she won the 2004 BBC Young Musician of the Year Award, leading to a lucrative six-album deal from Universal Music that same year.

Since then, she's been in the spotlight as a passionate advocate for music education and she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music and charity in the New Year Honours 2013.

She returns to New Zealand to perform Brahms' Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and the NZSO's new Music Director Edo de Waart.

Benedetti is a past winner at the Classic BRIT Awards and is looking forward to the challenge of performing Brahms' deeply personal Double Concerto alongside Elschenbroich, with whom she has performed many times. "I am delighted to return to New Zealand to perform Brahms' intimate Double Concerto with Leonard Elschenbroich as part of Maestro Edo de Waart's debut season as NZSO Music Director," she says.

An intuitive physical style and a mop of curly hair has made cellist, Leonard Elschenbroich a charismatic performer who is shooting through the stratosphere of the classical music world.

I am delighted to return to New Zealand to perform

Nicola Benedetti

He is the winner of many music awards and is Artist-in-Residence at both the Philharmonic Society Bremen (2013-16) and 2015 Bremen Festival. From 2012 to 2014 he was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist.

This performance will bring a heart-warming intimacy to Brahms' yearning melodies.

the fine print
*What: NZSO Brahms & Beethoven
*Where: Baycourt Community &Arts Centre
*When: Thursday, April 7, 7.30pm
*Tickets: Ph 0800 842 538.