The cellist is releasing a triple album in homage to Chopin, in which she reveals new adaptations, before ending on a subtle duet with Jane Birkin which will be the last recording of the muse of Gainsbourg who died on July 16. From preludes to nocturnes, a record that makes you want to listen to Chopin over and over, but also to immerse yourself in the world of this amazing musician. On the eve of leaving on vacation, Camille Thomas told us about her inspirations of the moment.

His solo concert videos on the rooftops of Paris went around the world during the Covid. The famous Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas takes us to yet another dimension with the release of this trilogy “The Chopin Project” on Deutsche Grammophon. A disc – an event which, in addition to linking us to the music of Chopin – “my favorite piano music” – makes us discover an unknown part of his work, the adaptations for cello by the composer's close friend, Auguste Franchomme.

A talented musician, invited to play on prestigious stages, Camille Thomas shows herself here as an outstanding storyteller. With this triple album, she weaves a unique story that takes us to Japan via the BNF... "It was while digging through the work of Auguste Franchomme, at the National Library of France, that I discovered that he had arranged a lot of pieces by Chopin for the cello, she says. It is no small thing to learn that Chopin authorized his best friend to seize his pieces! When I came across these scores, representing hours and hours of music, I opened Pandora's Box! ". And to compose an album bringing together all of Chopin's chamber music, these famous arrangements for cello and the legacy of Franchomme himself.

Last but not least, the album was recorded using a cello with which Franchomme composed his pieces in the company of Chopin. A rare "Stradivarius Feuermann" made in 1730 which has survived the centuries, preciously preserved today by the Nippon Music Foundation in Tokyo and loaned to the talented Camille... The album which ends with the voice of Jane Birkin, interpreting - one last time - "Jane B" written by Gainsbourg on a prelude by Chopin, takes us on a journey far, beyond the notes, into the secrets and memories of this extraordinary witness.

Romaine Gary

His writings carry me, comfort me, give me hope and the courage to continue. I have read all of his books and come back to them often. In particular, one of them, "The meaning of my life", which is the written transcription of one of his last TV interviews. One of my bedside books. Even if we know that he ended up ending his life, despite his tendency to melancholy and his lucidity on the human condition, there is always, in Romain Gary, an extremely political and loving way of seeing life. He talks about women and the love he had for them. This very short book (also published in Pocket editor's note) is the testament of one of the most brilliant men. He trusted in the power of love and in the ability of art to convey beauty and hope.

Sarah Bernhardt

I love it and have read many books about Sarah Bernhardt. I recommend his memoir “My Double Life”. I really liked the exhibition dedicated to him at the Petit Palais (until August 27th). So much so that in my work room I have a poster of her… She is a woman who knew how to invent her life. She saw her life in a big way, she was free. She shows that you can create a lot with your imagination and that you have to dare to be yourself. And, then, she had panache. With her, it was a panache with grace! She was not a theater actress who had an extraordinary voice on stage. But his stage presence was above all else. She was burning with all her being and giving everything. She inspires me with this extreme and intense side.

African American female jazz singers

Between Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone touches me particularly for her fight as a committed woman. She would have liked to do classical music, but at the time a black woman could not play anything other than jazz. She still managed, despite a hard life, to find her way. In particular the title “Tomorrow is my turn”. Or even “Wild in the wind”, absolutely sublime but sadder… What touches me particularly, and even brings me closer to it: Nina Simone is a woman who gives joy and pep. We can dance to its music, it makes us feel more alive. So she gave a lot on stage, and yet she was a woman who suffered.

She raises the question of this antagonism between the stage and the reality of an artist's personal life. I sympathize. Giving to the public is wonderful. But you have to be able to find a balance. There are no great artists who aren't a little burned from the inside… Because when you're driven by the desire to give and transmit, there's bound to be something a little consummate. Seeing it in these great talents always moves me a lot.

Alicia Keys

I knew her shortly before devouring her book "More myself" on her life and precisely her journey to achieve being herself. It's also by being truly authentic that you touch people. This is true generosity, true sincerity. And it is a learning. When you are a young artist, you can find yourself a bit overwhelmed, not really daring to trust your instincts. Alicia Keys rightly says that her first album “Falling” had been refused by her music house. A personal album, but which did not fit into any box. Finally she left this house, to release the album elsewhere, and we know how successful it was! She is more and more this woman who dares to be herself.

Sakura in Tokyo

This year, in April, I was in Tokyo for only 24 hours. Luckily, it was cherry blossom time. Magic. I was able to take advantage of it, by going to a park, near Century Hall, in the center of Tokyo, in the evening, then very early the next morning, in order to admire the spectacle. It looked like a garden under the snow. An almost mystical experience. Because also, for the Japanese, it is a key moment. Everyone was talking about it, asking me “have you seen the trees? It is a culture where nature is omnipresent and shared. It was crazy, something very strong.

Paris rooftops

Paris for me is the rooftops! There were, during confinement, the videos, very followed, that I made while playing the cello on my roof. I have always lived under the roof! I love the romanticism of the gray zinc of Paris. I feel good there, with the feeling of being above the bustle of Paris and the stress that a big city engenders… I live just opposite the Sacré Cœur. This view is my anchor. I have a particular affection for this monument. All in white stone, it reflects the light of the sky, and therefore it changes color all the time. I feel at home there. And since I travel a lot, each time I return, I open the window. There is the Sacré Coeur and it is beautiful.

The Turkish series "Club"

In my penultimate album “Voice of Hope” the Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say dedicated a concerto for cello and orchestra to me, “Never give up”. Thanks to him I have a very strong link to Turkey. I travel a lot to Istanbul, Ankara, Bodrum or even, this year, to Izmir… This is how I discovered the Turkish series “Club”. The story of Turkey told through the life of a mother and her daughter. The episodes allow us to understand many things about Turkey today that we don't necessarily hear about at the moment. It's a huge civilization, and this series moved me to tears.

“The Chopin Project”, Camille Thomas, Deutsche Grammophon

His news in concert:

• July 21 in Sisteron on July 21, Nights of the Citadel
• July 23 in Aix en Provence, Grand Théâtre de Provence
• July 24 in Marseille, Wasteland of the Belle de Mai

To know more : www.camillethomas.com