Cellos against climate change

Internationally renowned cellist Clíodhna Ní Aodáin talks about her vision to encourage the planting of trees inspired by music

FOLLOWING her albums The Celtic Cello and Celtic Rituals, award-winning Irish cellist Clíodhna Ní Aodáin has just announced her latest project – a video recording which combines music, inspiration and environmentalism.

Full Circle – Cellos for Trees is, according to Clíodhna. a call to action to plant 10,000 trees. So called greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide can be absorbed by trees, thus helping to combat climate change.

The project has been initiated by Clíodhna and Brenda Neece, founder of The Cello Museum.

They have invited cellists from all over the world to participate in creating a video project “that advocates environmental regeneration by tree-planting”, says Clíodhna.

Full Circle – Cellos for Trees will features a number of clips of cellists playing under their favourite tree.

The video shoot is planned for midsummer’s day June 21.

Clíodhna, who also plays piano and is an orchestral conductor, told The Irish Post: “My vision is to have participants from the global cello community play on the video.

Four time Grammy award-winner Eugene Friesen is already on board and many other first class orchestral cellists.

“I want to send musicians into the forest or least to a tree. I am asking them to spend time under this tree to record a track for the video. Any time I spend with trees elevates my mood and I want to give this gift to other musicians. I want the musicians to send me their name – location – tree name to display on the video. The resulting video will be virtual diverse forest with musicians and trees from all over the world.

“I love the cello and I know that sometimes even one note on the cello is enough to pull the heartstrings and to move human souls. I have also had flocks of birds respond to my music.

“My grandfather was a traditional Irish fiddler,” says Clíodhna. “I have a musical family with a long line of teachers on both sides.

Clíodhna’s The Celtic Cello is a collection of traditional Irish and Scottish airs that reach back into those nations’ histories and people. Includes pieces such as Carrickfergus, Down by the Salley Gardens and The Parting Glass