This is the coolest cello solo I have ever seen.
I first saw this in a great write-up from Dan Cederholm’s newsletter, where he highlighted how epic it is.
Full Short for “Airwolf for 8 Cellos”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- One musician—Samara Ginsberg—records and layers eight separate cello parts to recreate a synth-heavy TV theme originally built for electronics.
- The original “Airwolf” theme is all about helicopters, espionage, and 80s intensity. Somehow it translates perfectly to bowed strings without losing any of that drama.
- Instead of sounding gimmicky, it ends up feeling like a Hans Zimmer-style film score. With nothing but cellos.
Watch “Airwolf for 8 Cellos”
You can watch “Airwolf for 8 Cellos” on YouTube.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
Director’s Note: Cellist and arranger Samara Ginsberg is known for doing multi-track cello arrangements of unexpected material (everything from classic TV themes to rock songs).
Release Date: Jul 2020 (YouTube release)
My Review of “Airwolf for 8 Cellos”
The Setup
This is a short performance video. But it’s built like a full production. Samara Ginsberg records herself eight times, each pass playing a different role: bassline, rhythm, harmony, and lead.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The low-end cello parts hit like a bass synth. You feel them more than you hear them.
- She uses bow pressure and attack to mimic electronic pulses, especially in the main riff.
- The visual layering (multiple versions of her on screen) helps you track how each musical piece fits together.
- The melody—originally sharp and electronic—becomes warmer but somehow more intense on the cello.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- All parts are performed by Ginsberg herself. No other musicians are involved.
- Multi-track cello recording requires precise timing. She’s essentially syncing with her own previous performances down to milliseconds.
- Cellos can cover nearly the entire range of an orchestra, which is why this arrangement works without needing other instruments.
Wrap Up:
If you like music, this is a no-brainer. It’s short, creative, and weirdly powerful. I didn’t expect an “Airwolf” cover to feel this big, but here we are.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc