Cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton’s Odyssey of Sounds in India

November 29, 2017

Sonia Wieder-Atherton is an accomplished French cellist. Her most recent work, ‘Odyssey for Cello and Imaginary Choir’ goes beyond the music.

It uses multimedia and tells a story. It is cinema, but for the ears, she says. Her music draws from the raw sounds her team and her collect.

‘The Odyssey in India’ is a unique project that will be supported by musical elements and culture of the region where it’s being held. She is an artist-in-residence of the Bonjour India series. The concert organised by Alliance Française de Pune, will travel to different cities in India.

As the 56-year old musician prepares to perform in Pune, she answers some questions about the concept of this concert, its journey and the sounds she has recorded in India.

How did you conceptualise the Odyssey concert? What challenges did you face while doing this?

I wanted to tell a story and be surrounded by sounds, sounds of the wind, of the sea, of waves, of a tempest, of human voices from far away. And give the voice of the narrator to my cello, and have him go through the many and contrasted emotions that brings a life.

What makes this performance go beyond the music? And how have you used multimedia to enhance the audience experience?

I would say it is like cinema but for the ears. The relation between the cello and the soundtrack is very lively. The sound track follows my playing, under the hand of the sound engineer. But, it is nothing multimedia. Even if the system created by Franck Rossi is highly complicated, the essence of the project is simple. It is as if an orchestra of sounds is playing with me.

Can you explain what elements make the Odyssey concert different in different regions?

The rencontres I did and will be doing. Musicians, singers and the sounds that I discover here are so rich, intense, or everything that I don’t know yet.

How long is the residency in India for? Please share your learnings throughout this journey.

It will be a month, in five different cities. I was very moved by Thiruvananthapuram and a very strong and immediate relationship with two musicians. Here in Pune, I feel that there will be a lot of very contrasted moments, and strong too.

What is your impression of India in all its multitudes and diversity? Does this reflect in the raw material you have recorded?

Some things are like brothers and sisters, others sound very different, but this is because we, human beings, we all share a lot, and are all different. I feel that the differences contained in India can be such a strength, such a chance to open our heart to a different person and from her, learn a lot. It is very impressive to discover that immensity.

Nina Simone’s music was powerful with strong emotions projected against racism. How did you relate to this emotion while lending your cello to her music for Little Blue Girl?

I think Nina Simone has transformed all the forbidden in in creating a new language, that contains her fantastic piano playing. Her profound knowledge of the classical repertoire, together with her singing, deep and expressive. And, the repertoire of songs that she learned from her father. It is unique, it is extraordinary strong. So, I wanted to tell her that through my cello, and thank her for how much she gave, and still gives us.

#This concert featuring cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton will be held on November 30, 2017 at the Mazda Hall