Inspired by spring: new Album on the way!
The gentle arrival of spring, with its scented blossoms and shimmering rains, has stirred something deep within me. Inspired by this season of renewal and contrasts, I’ve begun a new musical journey – a new album that captures the delicacy of blooming petals and the fierce energy of spring storms, aiming to bring together chaos and calm, stillness and thunder.
There is fragility in the air, yet also a wild power. An April day may begin with a clear blue sky and end in a sudden storm – a simple reminder about the duality of life itself – full of contrasts, with opposing qualities always coexisting and in constant motion. As Heraclitus wisely put: “The only constant in life is change”.
I’m hoping to share this new collection before the end of the year. Until then, may your days be filled with music – both the quiet notes and the thunderous chords – and may you find harmony in life’s ever-changing rhythms.
May 2025
I’m so excited to announce the release of my new album CONNECTIONS!
Started in 2020, CONNECTIONS is the artistic and musical expression of an intense journey of personal growth, discovery, and new insights.
The COVID outbreak was a great source of inspiration. Borders closed and gathering became restricted from one day to the next, preventing us from hugging our loved ones like we used to. During those challenging times, creating and sharing music was for me one of the ways to remain connected and provide comfort and solace to those close and distant from me.
Music has that special power to cross borders and boundaries, connect people, and touch hearts.
So, what’s CONNECTIONS about? It’s not only about connecting with each other; even more importantly, it’s about connecting to our Inner Self. In a world where everything seems to move too fast, I feel we don’t take enough time to pause and listen to our deep Self. We may then risk feeling lost, and lose touch with our inner source and power, which have all the answers for us. But when we are connected to our heart, everything flows naturally and graciously like in a beautiful dance: we instinctively know which step to take next. We just need to let Life guide us, and we become connected to the whole Universe.
It took 2 years to create this album. Few pieces were written in a day, most over weeks, and some were like lingering chrysalises, staring from a distance at the empty pentagram for months, waiting to unfold into their full splendor. Two years during which things felt like suspended in time.
Now, in 2022, is the right time to release all these musical creations into the world. Because, now, I’m a step closer to my Arrival.
November 2022
2022: a hopeful and creative year
One month into the New Year, I’m looking up to what I feel will be a hopeful 2022!
The Chinese Year of Water Tiger has just started, and with water being my element, I have a sense this year will be a special one. Hopefully, among other things, it will see the release of my long-awaited album “Connections”, where I’m exploring some different musical styles.
Full of gratitude for what Life has in store for us, I wish you all a fulfilling and peaceful year ahead!
January 2022
Out now: The Arrival
Sadly, 2021 hasn’t exactly started the way we were all hoping.
To lift our spirits during these tough times, I am happy to share my new composition “The Arrival”, the first track from the new album “Connections”, to be released later this year.
“The Arrival” tells the story about our journey in life, whether it’s a physical or inward one, towards the place we call home. The place where we are at ease and content with our own self, the world and the people surrounding us, and where everything just falls into place.
May this uplifting piece accompany you throughout that journey!
All my best wishes for 2021!
January 2021
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Looking back to 2020...
As this challenging year is finally coming to an end, I wanted to express my gratitude to all those who were and still are at the forefront fighting the COVID pandemic. It‘s been very touching witnessing the extent of heartfelt solidarity, compassion and understanding, be it at work, out in the street, or anywhere in the world.
This unprecedented year has inspired a number of new pieces that will be part of my new album CONNECTIONS – at a time where staying connected with each other has become more important than ever. I‘m hoping to release it sometimes next year, once the inspiration and associated feelings have had the time to mature and crystallize into some new musical language.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement as I shared my musical journey with you this year ! I hope I have brought some comfort and solace on the way, nourishing the soul during these difficult times.
When things seem to be endless, let‘s always remember to look Beyond Endlessness. By sinking Into the Flow of things, rather than resisting, we‘ll be able to flourish and grow, with music as our trusted companion in this journey, with its ability to transcend all language and cultural boundaries to bring peace and solace into the world.
December 2020
Music, emotions & connections
I’m halfway through the creation of my third album of original compositions titled “Connections”. All pieces were written during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, inspired by what has become a surreal situation. One of the pieces was composed in early March 2020, when the number of infections was growing exponentially, and became dedicated to those people who were and remain at the front line during the pandemic.
At times when some countries have to close their borders, tragically separating families and hugely reducing social contacts, music is one of the few escapes that can connect people and souls, across all boundaries, cultures and languages.
“Connections” explores the various forms of connection: connection to the Universe, to our deeper self (our heart, soul and emotions), connection between people, and between past, present and future.
Another form of connection I’ve always been profoundly intrigued by is the myriad of connections between the brain, mind, emotions and music – not surprising, given my PhD in neuroscience and my passion for composing and performing music! Interestingly, there is a body of evidence supporting the notion that, in some neurological conditions, music seems to be the only path that is able to revive memories and alleviate pain. It seems that music may have its own secret way of forging a trail to the soulful world of memories and emotions, bypassing the conventional brain processing areas.
Music is often superior to words in being able to transmit a message, elicit an emotion, or convey a complex thought. Music is a universal language that speaks to everyone’s heart without the need for translation. A particular chord progression has the universal potential to speak a thousand words, has the power to move human beings in a way that a sophisticated poem may not.
August 2020
Piano for mental peace during COVID-19 times
Playing the piano has always been my outlet and escape, a safe place to relax and recharge. I started playing the piano first when I was 6 years old. In my late 20s, I began composing my own pieces.
Creating music, playing and performing is a great balance to my full-time job in scientific communications in neuroscience. I have released two albums so far, under my artistic name Haingotiana (my middle name that reflects my origins from Madagascar).
A third album is now in preparation, and the idea for this was born as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread a few months ago. I began to create new pieces during the lockdown. This exceptional situation and the work being done by frontline workers at hospitals, and those in supermarkets, post offices and other essential services served as an inspiration.
Before the COVID-19 lockdown, I used to play at the lobby bar of the Euler Hotel in Basel. With the closure of bars and restaurants, I decided to share my music online. Initially, I hoped that this would offer comfort and relaxation to family, friends and colleagues friends during these difficult times, and alleviate some of their anxiety. I felt it was more important than ever to nourish not only the body, with healthy food and regular exercise, but also our soul. So I decided to bring some “food for the soul” via virtual piano concerts, which I performed on Tuesday nights every week between the end of March and mid-May. They were shared live, and also made available on-demand.
I was deeply touched by the feedback I received. People enjoyed listening to my original compositions, which are mostly contemporary classical romantic music, inspired by the likes of Yiruma, Michael Nyman and Ludovico Einaudi.
This was a rewarding experience, and I was grateful to be able to bring some moments of comfort and peace to my colleagues and friends. Music can speak to everyone’s heart, across languages and cultural barriers, and has the ability to take us along together on a special journey into the soul.
June 2020