大象传媒

From Aretha Franklin to Rachmaninov.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young.

Nicola had her first violin lesson at the age of four, and by the age of eight, she was leading the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland. By the grand old age of 10 she was boarding at the Yehudi Menuhin School and receiving lessons from the great man himself.

Her big break came when she won the 大象传媒 Young Musician of the Year competition - the first Scot to win it. Lucrative recording contracts followed together with a hectic programme of concerts. She is now world-renowned as a soloist and chamber musician.

Of Italian descent, her family wasn't particularly musical though the qualities of discipline, hard work and perseverance meant that fun & freedom came after music practice. Passionate about the importance of classical music in education, she walks the talk, committed to developing young musical talent through charity work and masterclasses. Nicola received an MBE from the Queen for these services in 2013 - and a CBE in 2019.

She says, "when I teach seven year olds and they can play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I say 'that's amazing! Well Done!' And then occasionally Mum would remind me "do you remember what you were playing at that age?"

First broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 4 in January 2014.