Irish production company Big Mountain Productions is behind a festive special – Nicola Benedetti & Friends – for Sky Arts.
Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti made a highly anticipated return to Belfast last week, as part of her first solo tour in 10 years, with a special performance at the Ulster Hall. The concert was filmed for Sky Arts by Big Mountain Productions, marking an exceptional opportunity for audiences across the UK and Ireland to experience her artistry on screen.
Nicola Benedetti & Friends is a mix of performance and storytelling, as Nicola presents a programme of shorter works ranging from the romantic to the virtuosic, alongside selections inspired by folk traditions. Throughout the 80-minute programme, Benedetti shares personal reflections on her musical choices and insights drawn from the past decade of her artistic life.
Big Mountain is also delivering Tommy Sands – Clann an Ceoil, a documentary for RTÉ, which looks at one of Ireland’s most successful and influential folk families – the Sands family. Tommy Sands, recognised as ‘The Bard of Peace’, is particularly known worldwide for his songwriting and social activism and was a pioneer for promoting peace through his music and songs.
From humble beginnings in their ‘Céilí House’ to appearances in Carnegie Hall, this documentary features music, craic and song from members of the Sands’ extended family.
Jane Kelly and Philip McGovern, Joint CEOs of Big Mountain Productions, said: “Delivering four major programmes across Sky Arts, RTÉ One and TG4 this Christmas is a real milestone for Big Mountain. It reflects both our ambition, as we continually seek new ways to secure funding, and the trust our broadcaster partners place in us.
Photo: Nicola Benedetti performing on stage at the Ulster Hall, Belfast
Pippa Considine
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