Toke #watercello Moldrup: "Sometimes in need to surface in order to take at deep breath"

Written by @MoisesEstaba journalist and CEO of @CellistoftheWorld

The mix between Toke Moldrup's passion for the cello and Nikolaj Lund's for artistic photography resulted in an innovative and modern portrait of the ability of a cellist "drowned by his own weight" to "come to the surface to seek to breathe deeply ".

The main cellist of the Copenhagen Philharmonic, Toke Moldrup (@tokemoldrup

) and Nikolaj Lund (@nikolajlund_photography) internationally awarded photographer specializing in music photography, came together to make the most successful photo shoot published at @CellistofTheWorld "come true today.

#Watercello is the name they wanted to give this incredible experience.

Moldrup currently took a sabbatical from the philharmonic to devote himself to personal projects as a soloist and instrument teacher. He also seeks to add experiences by exploring his more informal side.

We wanted to know more closely the story behind the photo shoot and we asked his own protagonist, who delighted us with fantastic experiences behind the scenes. We hope you enjoy it with the videos and do not forget to tag your friends musicians and cellists.

Powerful image

One of the benefits of having art is our lives is that it does not allow us to live utopias. When art is music, it means turning sounds into experiences; experiences that in turn connect with the deepest feelings and dreams of people.

As the flavor of a chef's dish leads us to recall good moments of our childhood, a great musical performance is able to put our memory and heart upside down.

Being the cello an instrument whose sound is able to generate in people from very intense and loving feelings, even the most shady and somber, in @CellistoftheWorld we set out to demonstrate, that apart from the sound, a great image can also provoke these inexplicable sensations.

And as to demonstrate such strong statements, strong evidence is needed, that this story that we present below will be in charge of verifying what has been said.

It has been FUN to do it!

“Many has asked me about the background of our #watercello projects. It was, admittedly, first of all a crazy idea coming to life, and I am telling you: It has been FUN to do those projects! However, looking back at it, I see clear parallels to my present career as a concert cellist: While #watercello 1.0 could be mirroring the final jump into it, #watercello 2.0 could be showing an abstract image of the life as an artist - surrounded by creativity in constant emotional motion (represented by the water), alone yet always in binding relation to the art and people (represented by the cello). Sometimes in need to surface in order to take at deep breath!”.

This is how everything happened

"In October 2008 the Danish photographer Nikolaj Lund asked me if I would be willing to jump in the water with my cello. Just like that! We had talked about it casually before and I had told him that I was the owner of a cheap and almost unplayable Chinese cello that I wouldn't mind damaging a little."

"Frankly, when I realised that the idea was for real I started doubting the entire thing, and when the day came I had even been out partying after a concert. My last wish on earth was to jump in the cold water on a rainy, dark autumn day at a pier in Snekkersten, Denmark.

"But the first shot Nikolaj took that day - me jumping backwards into the water with cello and bow stretched out into the air - went viral and is still popular today."

10 years of waiting

Shortly after they started talking about version 2.0. " It would be obvious (at least following our logic:) to continue the shooting under water! Luckily Nikolaj with his brilliant photographer mind had already imagined how it would turn out and for 10 years he kept reminding me that we had to do it! We started planning everything, including which location we should use, and to get some reliable assistants, @lenagannsmann and @petrakusan, to come along".

"The cello was still in perfect, almost unplayable condition, only a bit rusty at the end pin, and we decided to use it again."

In September 2018 the whole team traveled to Vis, Croatia, to a beautiful and relatively hidden gem: Stivina, a beach carved out of a million-year-old cave.

"We were surprised to find out how many logistic challenges we had to face to get those shots! First of all carrying the gear up and down a 300 meter steep canyon 10 times! Then: Diving suit on for everybody and an additional tuxedo for the cellist. "

They also had to measure the amount of lead (weight) that the cellist and the cello had to carry to stay under the water, sticking the suit with adhesive tape to avoid the "flitting".

It is not a problem to go down to deep water quickly with 24 kilograms of lead on top, the problem was in the return to the surface. Toke explains that climbing was very difficult, but to avoid drowning he had excellent assistants.

"As non-divers we were able too stay down 30-45 seconds, so everything had to be quite fast when submerged in the water."

Other challenges included keeping tourists from bathing while taking photos or making sure children did not ruin the cello before using it in the water. Also Moldrup suffered cramps in some moments of immersion looking for pieces of the cello that fell on the ocean floor.

 "We had an incredible time there. Sometimes a large crowd would watch and applaud almost like at a concert. Exhausted from the work we would simply tell them: #watercello".

"And why did we do it? We just had to! We hope those photos will put a smile on people's faces and maybe lead them to bring copies of things they love under water and take photos of them".

“And now ... We welcome any suggestions for #watercello 3.0!”

Fun facts: “Yes, under water string instruments makes some sound under water! I have to say I was exaltedly surprised when I found out”.

Especially for cellists: “It's not at all bad for your cello technique to experience the free motion with the instrument under water… I would argue it's quite the opposite, actually… just saying…”.

And now... We are welcoming any suggestions for #watercello 3.0!