Nicola Benedetti is inviting young musicians to learn Elgar's Salut d’Amour with her online over the coming week. The violinist and leading ambassador for classical music first heard the piece (a three minute much-loved melody written by Elgar in 1888) aged six – one of her earliest musical memories, she recalls being so intensely moved by it that she burst into tears – and now wants to share her love of the work with today's young players.

Starting from tomorrow, 'Learn Salut d’Amour with Nicky' will invite young violinists to tune in daily on YouTube at 10am (BST) to learn the work. Sheet music, videos of Benedetti performing it, and a recording of Petr Limonov playing only the piano accompaniment to perform along with, will all be available at benedettifoundation.org. Participants will then be invited to upload their performances to info@benedettifoundation.org or on social media using #salutnicky, by 5pm on Thursday April 16. A winner will be chosen and their performance broadcast online on April 19, followed by a live Q&A ‘Ask Nicky’.

‘During these unprecedented times, the re-creation of community and collectivity is urgently needed and there is no better way than through the arts and music,’ said Benedetti. ‘As part of our "With Nicky" series I am so excited to teach this beautiful piece via social media channels and hope that many, many young violinists will join me to explore it further together and then give a mass virtual performance. I can’t wait!’

On April 17, Benedetti’s performance of Salut d’Amour will be released digitally as a single, ahead of a full album release of music by the composer, including his Violin Concerto performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Vladimir Jurowski, on May 15 by Decca Classics.

'The depth of love and fascination I have for this man and his music has made this entire process a dream', added Benedetti. 'He was so out of the ordinary, from his non-traditional training to his understanding of people to his style of expression in music - there is only one Edward Elgar, and I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to record so much of his music.'