But I don't mind, I'm a bit of a touring animal. When I'm on tour that is the greatest thrill for me, playing to a live audience.

I could have taken the easy life and just done classical, but I felt very strongly about the album, my first pop album, the first time that I'd fused so many influences. I was very proud when it was in the charts in 25 countries at once.

All the time I'm changing as an artist and as a person.

You can insure yourself up to your eyeballs, but if you don't take risks, what's the point? You have to enjoy life.

I started skiing around the same time as I began playing the piano, at around four, before moving to the violin at five.

Kids can be born with potential but unless it's encouraged - pushed, even - I don't think it will ever come to fruition.

I've decided to make my main priority for the next two years not playing the violin, but training for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.