The Cellist’s Notebook: Kittie Lambton on Music, Memory, and Storytelling

In this third episode of the Cello Museum Podcast, we celebrate International Book Day with a special conversation drawn from our Cello Book Club.Originally recorded in July 2021, this episode features author and cellist Kittie Lambton, who joined us from Greece to discuss her novella The Cellist’s Notebook—a story that weaves together music, memory, and family history across generations.The episode opens with a reading from the book, in which a young girl discovers a hidden cello in her grandmother’s attic. What begins as a moment of curiosity leads to a deeper mystery rooted in the Second World War, and to a reflection on how music connects us across time.In conversation, Lambton reflects on the inspiration behind the story, including her own family history and her lifelong relationship with the cello. Together, we explore the role of music in memory, the experience of learning an instrument, and the creative process behind writing in the novella form.The discussion also turns to music education, community, and the importance of nurturing curiosity—particularly in young musicians.At its heart, this episode is about the enduring magic of discovery: how a single encounter—with an instrument, a story, or a piece of music—can shape a life.Read the full show notes here: https://cellomuseum.org/the-cellists-notebook-kittie-lambton-on-music-memory-and-storytelling/ Kittie Lambton — https://www.kittielambton.com/The Cello Museum Podcast is the official podcast of the Cello Museum.Explore articles, exhibitions, and upcoming events at: https://cellomuseum.org Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with fellow cellists and music lovers.If this conversation inspires you to explore unaccompanied cello repertoire, join us in Delaware this summer at the Bethany Beach Cellofest (9–16 August). Find details here.