It was the “resonant, a little piercing”
sound
of the viola da gamba that first grabbed her, at 10 years old.
Since then, Salomé Gasselin, named among the Revelations at the Victoires de la Musique Classique, has made a place for herself in the heart of a young generation who are reviving the instrument.
For her, the February 29 ceremony represents above all the opportunity to make the viol and its baroque repertoire resonate.
“It has been several years in a row that the viola da gamba has been nominated for the Victoires de la Musique Classique.
This is very good news, the viol is gaining visibility
,” rejoices the 30-year-old musician, who two years ago founded the viola da gamba class at the Pierre Barbizet conservatory in Marseille.
Also read Viola da gamba: in search of the unique instrument
Her first album, released by Mirare last year, was
“well received by people who are not used to going to concerts
,” says the young woman, big smile and long brown hair.
“It’s the greatest compliment anyone can give me.”
Since the release of the album, she has toured classical music festivals.
At the beginning of February, at the Folle jour in Nantes, she gave five concerts in three days.
Artistic director of the festival and producer of the album, René Martin praises the
“so moving”
talent of Salomé Gasselin.
He sees her as
“one of the most important musicians of the young generation”
.
“A few years ago, the viol was almost reserved for ensembles.
Today, there are soloists on stage, thanks to these young musicians who highlight it
,” he told AFP.
Incarnated for a time by the gambist Jordi Savall, performer of the soundtrack of the film Tous les matins du monde by Alain Corneau (1991), the viola da gamba
“has new faces and in particular young women”
, underlines Salomé Gasselin.
“A lot of people associate the viol with this film, which has a dark, romantic aesthetic.
But for me, it is an instrument so much more varied than sad songs
,” she adds.
“A modern young woman, of her time”
In black on stage, the musician enters the rehearsal room in gray shorts and tights, her case on her back.
The white box, stuffed with fabric, protects his
“jewel”
, an old viol made in 1653.
“I have the impression of playing with all the people who played it before me.
This connection makes me cry,”
says the young woman, strumming the strings of the viol, propped between her knees, while speaking.
During the rehearsal, a ray of sunlight makes her change seats: the strings of the viol, made of gut, tighten and relax depending on the temperature.
“The heat is enough to put the instrument out of tune.
“It gives me the impression that he’s alive
,” she said.
Born in Nantes, Salomé Gasselin grew up near Angers, surrounded by a flautist mother and a cameraman father.
While she had just quit violin lessons which
“gave her a stomach ache”
, at the age of 10 she was seized by the sound of a viola da gamba and
“fell in love”
with the instrument.
At the age of 22, then a viol teacher in Nantes, she left her position to continue training in Salzburg, Austria, with the gambist Vittorio Ghielmi,
“the greatest encounter”
of her musical career.
On stage, she enjoys playing Henry Purcell's
Viol Fantasies
, the suites of William Lawes (two 17th century English composers) and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
“Bach wrote a little for the viol, not enough.
There is an energy, something divine.
When I hear it I want to dance, as much as I do in a nightclub
,” smiles Salomé Gasselin.
Her recent agent, Clément Ledoux, describes a
“modern young woman, of her time”
who combines
“modesty and human warmth”
on stage to form a
“bluffing bond”
with her audience .
Salomé Gasselin, who also performs contemporary music, would like to work with other musicians.
Zaho de Sagazan, four-time winner of the 2024 Victoires de la Musique, for example.