A hidden cello in an attic. A forgotten manuscript. A story that connects past and present through music and memory.
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.
Kittie Lambton, cellist and author
The episode opens with a reading from the book, in which a young girl discovers a hidden cello in her grandmother’s attic—an encounter that opens the door to a mystery rooted in the Second World War. From there, the conversation explores the inspiration behind the story, the role of music in memory, and the creative process behind writing a novella.
🎻 In This Episode
- A reading from The Cellist’s Notebook
- The story behind the novel’s World War II narrative
- Music, memory, and the influence of family history
- Falling in love with the cello
- Writing in the novella form
- Music education and its changing landscape
- The role of music in building community
Listen to the Full Conversation
Watch the Video Version
Prefer video? Watch below.
📚 About the Book
The Cellist’s Notebook follows ten-year-old Emily as she visits her grandmother and discovers a cello hidden in the attic—along with a mysterious manuscript that leads her into the story of her great-uncle Leni, who disappeared during World War II.
Set across England and France, past and present, the novella explores how music connects people across time, memory, and place.
🔗 Links & Resources
- Kittie Lambton
- The Cellist’s Notebook
- Read the original Cello Museum article about The Cellist’s Notebook – and a contest to compose the musical fragment from the book.
- Learn about the composition winners
- Kittie’s other novella, The Rescue
- Kittie’s links
Explore more at the Cello Museum: http://cellomuseum.org
🎶 Join Us This Summer
If this episode has inspired you to return to the cello—or pick it up for the first time—we would love to welcome you to the Bethany Beach Cellofest (August 9–16, 2026).
Spend a week by the sea exploring Bach and beyond in a supportive, immersive environment.
Click here to learn more.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe
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AI Contribution
The Cello Museum AI Assistant helped with this podcast episode and show notes.
