Acclaimed violinist, TikTok sensation, and rising star in classical music, Esther Abrami, released a visually stunning new video for her beautifully glistening adaptation of Walking In The Air from ‘The Snowman’™. The video celebrates the iconic Christmas classic’s 40th anniversary, with the track personally arranged for Esther by the film’s original composer Howard Blake OBE.
In a fitting tribute to the nostalgic festive family film, Esther recorded the extraordinary video 450 feet above Brighton on top of the Brighton i360, making her the first-ever solo instrumentalist and the very first classical artist to perform on top of the pod. Taller than the London Eye, the video offers 360-degree views of Brighton, the English Channel, and the rolling South Downs National Park.
Classical Crossover Magazine (CCM): Do you remember the first time you heard Walking in the Air? What is it about this particular piece that speaks to you?
Esther Abrami (EA): Yes, it was during my first year in the UK when I was 14 years old. I had just moved from France where I was born, to go to a music boarding school in Manchester by myself, that’s when I discovered and fell in love with all the British Christmas traditions, films, and music… including the wonderful melody of ‘Walking In The Air’!
I think what really spoke to me about ’The Snowman’ is the fact that it is such a timeless movie, I loved that we were all watching it, enjoying it, and singing the memorable tune of ‘Walking In The Air no matter what age we were, kids, teenagers, adults.
CCM: What are some of the ways that you’ve made this iconic track your own?
EA: I think the fact I actually had the honor to work with Howard Blake himself on an arrangement he wrote especially for me already felt very special.
I got to play the track for him, hear his feedback, and exchange with him on it which is pretty rare in classical music.
In the track, we can hear of course the iconic melody of ‘Walking In The Air’ but then the melody develops into some violin virtuosity, double stops, pizzicati, funky string crossings, and a statement of the theme in harmonics which sounds like somebody whistling!
CCM: Do you tend to approach the selection of classical vs. modern differently? Is either more personal to you?
EA: I fell in love with classical music at a young age and playing this style of music feels like home for me. However, I adore playing and recording all different genres of music, including modern styles. I think my approach is pretty similar both with classical and modern, I have an open mind.
People often ask me ‘what do you listen to?’ I always say I can enjoy listening to anything, if I like the melody, if I like the meaning, and what the music makes me feel then I enjoy listening to it, I don’t like limiting myself to only certain genres.
CCM: Did you have a favorite moment that happened while filming the Walking in the Air music video or a scene in the video itself?
EA: The whole filming of the video was a bit crazy, to be honest! Being stood up outside, 450ft above the ground at midnight, with my violin in hand and the view of the whole city of Brighton lit up… There was a point when we were filming, I was playing with my eyes closed and when I came to the main theme, I opened my eyes and suddenly realized where I was, looking down at the city and up at the stars. It felt like I was dreaming! It is a moment and feeling I will remember forever!
CCM: With the Holidays upon us, what is one gift you would recommend for musicians?
EA: I am a big fan of vinyl and actually loved the fact I was able to have my first album as a cd as well as vinyl so I would say probably a record player.
I find there is something special and kind of romantic about the old-school sound of a vinyl playing in the background on Christmas Day.
CCM: As you look back on the year, do you have a couple of highlights and what do you expect in 2023?
EA: Releasing my very first album with Sony Classical was definitely one of the biggest highlights this year as well as in my life generally, it felt like a huge achievement and a dream come true. I was also lucky enough to make my solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall for Classic FM Live with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
2023 is going to be the year of album No. 2, concerts in many different countries, I also have plans for my podcast ‘Women In Classical’ based around the roles of women in the industry, their struggles but most importantly their achievements despite these difficulties. It is a project I would really like to push and develop even more in 2023.
Visit www.estherabrami.com to keep up to date.
