Sonia Wieder-Atherton

Raised in New York and Paris, Sonia Wieder-Atherton began her formal cello education at the Conservatoire de Paris under Maurice Gendron. Her pursuit of a distinct musical voice led her to study at the Moscow Conservatory with Natalia Shakhovskaya at the age of 19, demonstrating an early commitment to rigorous training and diverse influences. Her dedication was recognized in 1986 when she received a mention at the Concours de violoncelle Rostropovitch, marking a significant milestone in her developing career.

Throughout her career, Wieder-Atherton has performed as a soloist with various orchestras internationally, including the Orchestre de Paris, the Orchestre national de France, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been a champion of contemporary music, with composers such as Henri Dutilleux, Georges Aperghis, and Pascal Dusapin dedicating works to her. Her artistic output extends beyond traditional performances, encompassing self-conceived projects that integrate music with visual and thematic elements, such as “Chants juifs” and “D’Est en musique,” a collaboration with film images by Chantal Akerman. These projects highlight her innovative approach to classical music.

Further demonstrating her versatility, Wieder-Atherton has also engaged in composition and arrangement, contributing to film scores and releasing a diverse discography that spans from Bach to Nina Simone. In 1999, she was awarded the Grand Prix Del Duca by the Académie des beaux-arts, and in 2011, she received the prize of the Fondation Renée-et-Léonce-Bernheim for her creative work in the arts. Her contributions to music were further acknowledged in 2015 when she was made an Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.