From 6 to 8 September 2024, the young and talented cellist Soni Siecinski will perform in the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games, ‘Let Us Dance’, at the Théâtre du Châtelet.
- Communication T&V
- Sep 1, 2024
- 3 min read
Playing with his left hand, using a reverse cello built for him and funded by Talents & Violon’celles, he is determined to change attitudes towards disability in the music world.
The Talents & Violon’celles Endowment Fund is proud to highlight the inspiring journey of Soni Siecinski, one of the young musicians it has been supporting for several years. Soni is a 23-year-old cellist whose talent and determination have overcome many obstacles. Born with a malformation of his left hand, Soni has shown extraordinary resilience in reaching the heights of classical music. Through his journey, he hopes to inspire musicians facing physical disabilities.
A passion from an early age
Soni Siecinski began his musical journey with the piano, followed by the trumpet, before finding his true calling in the cello. Despite the physical limitations imposed by his left hand, which consists only of his thumb and little finger, Soni has demonstrated exceptional dexterity and musicality. Blessed with perfect pitch and harmonic hearing, he quickly showed signs of extraordinary talent.
Defying preconceptions
Despite his potential, Soni often faced institutions and teachers who tried to discourage him, pushing him towards activities they deemed more suitable for his disability. However, his determination and passion for music always prevailed.
« I know I'm where I need to be, and I even want to show that I can do as well as, or even better than, any other musician. I'm just aware that it requires a different approach. »
The decisive boost from Talents & Violon’celles
Recognising her potential, Talents & Violon’celles, with the contribution of several patrons, financed the construction of a cello specially designed for Soni Siecinski. This cello, a reverse copy of a Guarneri, was made by five luthiers during the La Grange de Meslay Festival in 2019. This custom-made instrument enabled Soni to play at a professional level, paving the way for his admission to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP). In June 2024, he obtained his Bachelor's degree with unanimous honours and the congratulations of the jury. He is now preparing to enter a Master's programme.
Read the rest of the press kit (French version):
Talents & Violon’celles: Ensuring Every Talented Musician Can Play an Instrument Equal to Their Potential
Based on the observation that acquiring a quality instrument can be an inaccessible investment for a musician, the Talents & Violon’celles endowment fund supports talent by loaning instruments that allow them to fully develop their potential: pursuing studies under the best conditions, passing international competitions, and launching or developing a career.
Through its actions, Talents & Violon’celles highlights instrumental and musical heritage and builds a collection of instruments representing the excellence of lutherie. Thanks to the support of private and institutional patrons, Talents & Violon’celles currently manages a fleet of over 120 string instruments (violins, violas, and cellos), including 36 commissioned by the fund, with 6 more currently being crafted—including some Baroque-era instruments like the tenor viol, bass violin, bass viol, and treble viol. The project’s originality lies in its three converging ambitions: heritage, social, and cultural, which, shared between talented musicians, craftspeople, and donors, are a source of excellence.
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