“I Could Never Bear To Experience A Whole Album” Claire Tonna Discusses Leonard Cohen Tribute
Maltese singer-songwriter Claire Tonna is one of the island’s most beloved artists. She has been an integral part of the local music scene for decades, but hasn’t performed in Malta for over two years. This October, she will be returning to the stage in a tribute concert honouring Leonard Cohen, the legendary singer, songwriter, musician, poet, novelist, and painter who died last year.
Despite not actually being a fan of Cohen (whose most popular work includes the eternally-loved song Hallelujah), Tonna revealed in an interview why she still felt drawn to honouring him with a tribute concert at this year’s edition of Notte Bianca.
How is it that you accepted to do a tribute concert to someone you’re not even a fan of?
Being surrounded by so many fans of Cohen, my ears have often been pushed to listen to his work, yet I could never bear to experience a whole album of his. I’ve always found it too intense and truthful to the point of it being overwhelming. When I was first contacted by the Notte Bianca team to do a tribute to him my first reaction was ‘I’m not really a fan of Cohen’ and ‘I don’t know him that well to honour and sing his work’.
They insisted and encouraged me to think about it, and shortly after listening to some of his interviews, poetry and songs it became crystal clear that what I had found unbearable in him was exactly what I am, which was the driving force for me to do this concert.
Which characteristic of Cohen did you end up falling in love with?
Confronting the truth is often a bittersweet experience, and Cohen’s songs voice this fact, laying bare the ugliness and iniquity as well as the sweetness, grace and glory that life throws at us. It is a privilege to witness and sing such strength and tenderness as well as to be able to share it in a concert that I like to describe as naked and honest.
Will the concert be composed only of his songs?
The concert will be composed mainly of Cohen’s songs accompanied by some of my compositions that speak along this concept of naked truth. I have the luxury of being accompanied by exquisite musicians and featured artists: Daniel Sant (piano), Michael Galea (drums), Chris Cini (violin), Brian Tonna (accordion), jazz singer Francesca Galea and singer/songwriter Sasha Vella. Working with these people has been a beautiful experience; they are themselves the instrument, and we seem to be truly emptying ourselves from ourselves and letting the grace of truth come out of us in sound and word.
We are all so grateful for this experience of celebrating not just Leonard Cohen but indeed everyone’s humanity with all its broken dreams and glory.
When was the last time you sang in Malta, and how have you changed since then?
It’s been over two years since I performed in Malta, and over a year since I’ve been able to sing at all, due to a breakdown, a series of changes, fortunate and unfortunate events. It’s been tough enough to get my head empty and let my silence and voice sing but I’ve finally got there.
Since the day I accepted the invitation for this concert something empowering birthed, grew and awoke a stream of transformation in me. It’s been a constant gift preparing for this concert, with the very soul I am so looking forward to share and experience with all present.
The concert will be performed twice on the 7th of October; once at 8.30pm and again at 10.30pm, at the recently refurbished courtyard in Palazzo De La Salle. The venue also happens to be the premises of the Society of Arts in Valletta.
Claire Tonna Tkanta Leonard Cohen is one of the many events that form part of this year’s Notte Bianca on the 7th of October in Valletta. For the full programme and more info, check out the festival’s official website.
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