Cello, Topline Composing

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I don't think pride is the feeling I get when I'm sitting in a movie theater listening to my cello. It's more a feeling of happiness, because so many different arts come together and form a great whole, of which I am allowed to be a part. Of course there are experiences that I have worked hard for, like my debut concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC with my duo partner or various international concerts as a soloist, but it is actually the studio work that fills me with happiness.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: After recording for several Swiss film productions over the last few months, I'm currently in the final stages of three different production music albums. In addition, I often work on cello lines for pop songs by various artists.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: For many years I worked mainly as a concert cellist and traveled a lot. During the pandemic, as with almost all artists, a lot has changed and I have found my true passion in studio work. Since 2021 I have also been working as a professional voice artist for various projects.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I will allow myself to quote Mario Venzago, Principal Conductor of the Berner Symphonieorchester about my cello playing: «Her sound is flattering, gentle and smooth, when required, bitter, when needed, and she playes extraordinarily clean. She has style and charisma.»

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: When I get the chance to meet inspiring artists who are good people, who work in film and game music and who are looking for cello lines that sound like mine, I am perfectly happy.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I am very passionate about film music. But what I love most about studio work is the musical and stylistic diversity.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think I am regarded as uncomplicated, reliable, efficient and professional. To quote Urs Wiesendanger – Arranger & Producer at Powerplay Studios, Maur, Switzerland: «Tone, feel and personality are the number one attributes I’m always looking for in a musician. Cécile has it all! The few projects I’ve had the pleasure to record with her, filled me with huge respect and great joy.»

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually receive a file with the musical environment in which a cello line is desired. Either I record a suggested line and send back the dry .wav file, or I make a musical suggestion myself, because I really enjoy topline composing. On request, I can also prepare the sound of my tracks myself. Most of the time, however, a dry file is preferred.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work with a Neumann U87 microphone, which I find the most convincing for the warm sound of my cello, an RME Babyface Pro audio interface and Pro Tools.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Artists impress me with their expressive storytelling and their authenticity.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I am happy to provide you with accurate cello tracks with a beautiful and differentiated sound, solid intonation and a lot of heart.