Indian Serenade: Nicola Benedetti on tour with the BBC SSO

The colour and vibrancy, the hustle and bustle, for many people their first trip to India is a culture shock to say the least.

But for Nicola Bendetti, joining the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s 2014 tour was a welcome change of pace. The 26-year-old violinist loved the “go with the flow mentality” of the Indian people.

Nicola Benedetti with students at the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai

“I found that more relaxing and inviting than what we’re used to,” she says. “The trust and fluency in which people live is a total contrast to our much more uniformed way of life.

“A lot of people had warned of a culture shock, which is something I didn’t feel too much. All my surprises were very pleasant ones.”

Benedetti accompanied the BBC SSO in April 2014 for a series of concerts across three cities - Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Music education was a priority on the tour, with the ambition to build a musical legacy for Britain and India. To do this, Benedetti and the orchestra's musicians joined workshops for schoolchildren in each city.

“Their reactions were extremely vivid, and they were extremely attentive. But not out of pure good behaviour - it was very active listening. Their questions were open and inspired. ”

Benedetti, who was made an MBE in 2013 for services to music and charity, places high value on music education.

“I wouldn’t preach to anyone else who’s out there performing - as a solo instrumentalist you have more than enough to fill your time without teaching a lesson in your life.

“But I think it does enormous good. If I didn’t I wouldn’t do it. If young musicians can play in schools and young people’s concerts that’s a great thing.”

Benedetti was surrounded by classical music from an early age. She took up the violin at the age of five, studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School, and won the 2004 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition at the age of 16.

She believes classical music can resonate with young people, whether in Britain, India, or anywhere else in the world.

“Classical music is very well travelled and adaptable,” she says. “It can be heard and interpreted very differently but very successfully by from all ages, backgrounds and cultures.

“Music is one of the most powerful expressions we have. It is a phenomenal strength to bring with you into a room, to be able to pick up an instrument and fill the room with music.

“It doesn’t matter what country you are in, or what group of people you play to. It would shock people how similar these experiences are the world over.”

Led by conductor James MacMillan, the BBC SSO performed Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, and Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in each city.

On stage, Benedetti felt she could have been at a concert hall anywhere in the world.

“Indian audiences were very good, very attentive,” she says. “They were extremely respectful to the music being performed. They have a tradition of listening to lengthy pieces of music and concentrating hard.

“They have their classical music, popular music, and religious music - an enormous variety of expression. What we know is only the tip of the iceberg.

“It was exciting to get a deeper understanding of the enormous array of the artistic expression in India.”

Outside the concert halls, it was the people on the streets of Mumbai, Chennai and Dehli that made a lasting impact on Benedetti.

“I went walking a lot and did a lot of religious visits, to a Hindu temple, a Sikh temple and a Mosque.

“I visited an Indian market, where you just can’t move. It was incredibly colourful and very, very packed. I didn’t buy anything, I just went to look, to experience the people.

“All the millions of things that make India what it is hit you like a wall when you arrive. It’s a place where I felt very comfortable and loved very much. I will miss that feeling.”