There was no classical music in Nicola Benedettis house until she started playing the violin. But then she did begin at the age of four, so she didnt exactly have to wait too long.

Benedettis early musical memories are of the Bee Gees, Abba and Shania Twain and that was entirely down to her parents taste. Theyll kill me for saying this but its the truth, says Benedetti, the new director of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Nicola Benedetti was just 16 years old when she won the BBC Young Musician competition in 2004

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This glimpse into the early years of a child prodigy can be heard on This Cultural Life, the BBC podcast in which leading creatives across a range of disciplines talk in detail about their inspiration, practice, challenges and professional and personal development.

Although Benedetti doesnt recall it,

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