Cy Leo

Do you remember your first sip of Krug?

It was during my first creative musical journey with the House back in 2017 – a magical night performing great music with friends while being mesmerised by the craftsmanship of Krug.

What do you have in common with Krug?

Next, your tour takes a surprising turn. Secured safely behind bolted gates, a cathedral of time capsules comes into view: shoulder to shoulder in their stainless-steel dwellings, the reserve wines of the House of Krug, where one plot equals one wine. One contains wine from the revered plot of Clos d’Ambonnay, harvested only recently. In another cellar, 150 wines from 12 different years wait until the Cellar Master calls upon them, musicians, to play the Music of Krug Grande Cuvée or Krug Rosé. You begin to see what it means to give time to the unforgettable.

Tell us about your compositions for Les Créations de 2011.

“Spirited” is a dynamic composition of great contrast with a sentimental musical theme as its introduction and finale that are in stark opposition with the rhythmic section in the middle.
“Vineyard Fantasy” is a composition with a cinematic component that showcases the virtuosity of the instruments.

How did Les Créations de 2011 inspire your compositions?

The inspiration for “Spirited” came from the duality of the tasting experience and story of Krug 2011. It was intense but elegant, powerful with finesse.

The inspiration of “Vineyard Fantasy” came from the generosity of the tasting experience and the physical visit of the vineyards and cellars of Krug.

How do you approach pairing music and champagne?

When I discover a champagne, I concentrate on its character at each phase of the experience. It is also important for me to understand the story of the champagne, which helps me structure the flow of the musical composition. Afterwards, I translate the characters and tension of these narratives into the universal language of music.

What parallels do you see between composing music and crafting champagne?

They both require an in-depth understanding of the craft with an open mind for creative possibilities. It takes knowledge to build the vision, and creativity and openness to make the vision a reality.