Gautier Capuçon plays cello on a zipline in the French Alps
French cellist Gautier Capuçon has literally taken his art to new heights in his latest music video. Suspended on a zipline high above the French Alps, he performs to mark the release of his new Warner Classics album, Gaïa.
The video captures Capuçon skiing up the pristine mountain slopes with his cello strapped to his back before performing mid-air over a vast alpine chasm. The album itself includes newly commissioned works by noted contemporary composers such as Ludovico Einaudi, Bryce Dessner, and Abel Selaocoe. Through these collaborations, Capuçon explores the bond between humanity and nature.
“The music is a hymn to this threatened beauty, a prayer for future generations,” said Capuçon.
He explains that each track offers a distinct voice to the cello, aiming to reflect the energy and depth of the Earth itself.
“In each piece, it is the Earth that expresses itself in music: sometimes fragile, sometimes majestic, always essential,” Capuçon adds.
Behind-the-scenes footage reveals the demanding logistics of filming at such an altitude, as well as the personal resonance of the location — the French Alps, which shaped Capuçon’s early life and musical inspiration.
Author’s Summary
Capuçon’s breathtaking zipline performance in the French Alps embodies his artistic mission to unite music and nature in a lyrical tribute to Earth’s fragile beauty.