Ingesund Student Celebrated New Year as Wells' Concertmaster
2025-01-14Master's student Ida Wadenbrandt worked during the holidays, touring with Robert Wells and Rhapsody in Rock from December 27 to January 6 in China. Intense days that have sparked a desire for more projects abroad and more work in China.
You have done several concerts with Robert Wells with Ingesund's string ensemble before, and as I understand it, you were also the concertmaster then. What makes you get along so well?
”Robert and I share the same passion for musical joy and craftsmanship. We love to mix different music genres and believe that all good music is just that – good, regardless of genre. We don't like to limit ourselves to a specific genre but prefer to follow our hearts and play what we are truly passionate about. Our respect for each other's musicality and our willingness to go beyond traditional boundaries make us complement each other well. Plus, we have a lot of fun together when we play.”
You also played in the ensemble as a child with Rhapsody in Rock?
”Yes, that's right! I had the privilege of playing in the orchestra during the Rhapsody in Rock 25th anniversary tour in 2014-2015, when I was 13 years old. It was a fantastic experience and a memory I carry with great warmth.”
How was it to tour in China, which is a very different culture compared to ours?
”The tour in China was a magical experience that is hard to describe in words. It was not only incredibly fun and educational but also an adventure that I will remember forever. I feel immense gratitude for being part of this musical adventure with Robert and the rest of the team. China is a fascinating and very exciting country with a rich culture, beautiful nature, fantastic architecture, and a completely different food tradition than what we are used to here in the West. But what really impressed me were the warm-hearted people – we were truly welcomed with open arms.”
How many performances did you do and where did you play?
”We played five concerts on large stages in the cities of Wenzhou, Shanghai, Jiaxing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The most memorable performances for me were in Jiaxing and Shenzhen. In Jiaxing, we had the honor of inaugurating a new fantastic concert hall located in a newly built "fake city" with all houses built in traditional Chinese style, while in Shenzhen we played on the impressive outdoor stage in the amusement park "Window of the World," surrounded by about 130 reproductions of the world's most famous tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, parts of the Acropolis, and the pyramids. It was really cool!”
Robert Wells has toured a lot in China, were you only Swedish musicians or did you also have Chinese musicians who have played with Wells before?
”Yes, Robban has toured in China over 50 times and is well-known there. We were a Swedish team of 14 people, and in addition to us, a group of Chinese string musicians whom I had the privilege of being the concertmaster for.”
If so, how does it feel to give directions to musicians from another culture, even though music is a universal language?
”Exciting! Music is, as you say, a universal language, and it was fantastic to be able to connect through music despite our different backgrounds. I had an interpreter with me to facilitate communication, but often it was enough to show on my violin how I wanted them to play. It was important to show clear leadership, as they are used to authority. It was a challenge that required great responsibility but also an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. Something magical happens at these cultural meetings, which really shows how important music is to unite us, especially in a world where we sometimes feel far apart. I also felt a strong trust from Robert, which reinforced my sense of responsibility and pride.”
You must have had a tight rehearsal schedule to get it together before the concerts, requiring a large portion of discipline?
”Yes, absolutely! It requires everyone to be 100% prepared, otherwise, it doesn't work. We Swedes had a four-hour rehearsal in Stockholm the same day we flew from Arlanda to Beijing. Immediately after we landed in China, I had string rehearsals with the Chinese strings. Intense, but oh so fun! The high discipline and preparation were important factors in being able to deliver at the level we strived for.”
What happens in the meeting between classical music and pop/rock that has become a beloved mix?
”The meeting between classical music and pop/rock makes the music more accessible to a wider audience. Classical music can sometimes be perceived as strict and "fine," but when mixed with other genres, it becomes more accessible and inclusive. For me, it's about following my inner compass and playing everything that is fun and gives me something musically.”
Do you think it has made people more interested in classical music?
”Absolutely! I believe that Rhapsody in Rock has opened the doors for many to discover classical music that they might not have been in contact with otherwise. For many who are used to classical music, it also gives a new perspective on how classical music can be combined with other influences, broadening their experience.”
You are in the master's programme at Ingesund, how do you think you will work in five years? Have you developed a taste for playing in China?
”I have definitely developed a taste for China and hope to return there soon! I will graduate in the spring of 2026, and my ambition is to continue working as a freelance violinist in a variety of constellations and projects, and I look forward to playing more abroad. I love the variety in my profession and working with everything from classical music to crossover genres. It's exciting to be able to switch between different roles – as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles, in the studio, in orchestras, both in others' productions and my own projects. No day is the same as a musician, and there is always something new to learn, which makes the profession both stimulating and an eternal journey of personal and artistic development.”



