Vanessa Hadley - October Edition
October Edition - Special GuestVanessa Hadley.
This woman is a piece of music herself. Intelligent, wise, sweet and honest about life and her priorities. I met her by coincidence, years back in Colombia. We built a very special bond and she inspires me in many beautiful ways. She is powerful, yet feminine. She is artistic, yet earthy. She has her priorities clear and handles her role as a mother in such a loving manner. She has taught me without words the art of being a mother. And I don´t even think she knows that. (..Now you know bella Vanessa, you are an impressive mother!). Caring, understanding, creative, joyous, truly present. Being able to hold the space her two kids in such a dignifying and grounding presence. Thank you for showing me how amazing a mother can be... epic woman.
So here Vanessa Hadley...
Tell us 3 things about you?
1. I am a ‘cellist 2. My children Nathaniel and Anaïs are my most beautiful creations 3. I’m quite nomadic - I’ve lived, worked or travelled in over 50 countries
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
My mother taught me that less is more. Keep things simple and achievable and you won’t suffer from disappointment!
3. What is your favourite song?
I love Pablo Milanes' Yolanda and Debussy’s Clair de Lune, which is my all-time favourite piece to play on the piano.
4. Can you tell us how the Cello came into your life? Or in other words, how did it happen that you choose music/cello to be a major part of your career path?
I played piano duets with my mum from as early as I can remember. There is nothing like sitting at a piano and playing, it’s a unique mix of technical discipline and soulful connection with something bigger than yourself. Rather like yoga actually! The cello I came to later, at 9 years old, and over the years I have found its melancholy and beauty incredibly compelling. I chose to study the cello at University and have never looked back.
5. Share with us a recipe for being happy.
This dead simple soup is filled with iron, good vitamins and antioxidants. It’s also really delicious and perfect on a chilly and rainy autumn day.
Spinach and Kale Soup 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped a pinch of dried chilli flakes 500 g fresh spinach or thawed frozen, coarsely chopped 300 g fresh kale or thawed frozen, stem removed and finely chopped 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1 litre water or vegetable stock sea salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Heat oil in large saucepan. Add onion, garlic and chilli, lower the heat and let stir for a couple of minutes or until softened. Stir occasionally. Stir in spinach, kale and nutmeg and gently cook for 1 minute. Then add water or stock and cook for 20 more minutes until the spinach and kale has completely wilted down. Season to taste. Serve as it is or blend it silky smooth, both ways are delicious.
6. One of your favourite books and why?
My favourite book is William Boyd’s Any Human Heart. It’s an absolute must-read, a work of genius! It’s about one man’s life but reaches way beyond just one story and touches all human life.