Carol Thorns’ Poignant Cello Rendition of “Amazing Grace” Offers Healing in New Single and Music Video
South African cellist Carol Thorns, celebrated for her innovative work in the electric string genre, has released a deeply moving new single and music video that explores the themes of grief and healing through a powerful rendition of the hymn “Amazing Grace.” The release is rooted in a year of profound personal loss for Thorns, who lost her mother, her aunt whom she considered a “second mother,” and two close musical collaborators—singer Zami Mdingi and composer-producer Helmut Meijer—in 2024.
“During that time, the only thing that brought me comfort was playing my cello,” Thorns shared. Her emotional connection to the hymn became a lifeline, inspiring her to record a version that could comfort others experiencing similar pain. Collaborating with Australian pianist Kev Lee on the arrangement and South African producer Konstand Spies on the recording, Thorns poured her heart into the project. When she heard the final edit of the track, she was overwhelmed with emotion and knew it needed a visual companion to fully convey its message.
The music video was filmed at The Sanctuary, a candlelit chapel on an island at La Roche in Franschhoek. Despite challenges from wind gusts threatening to extinguish the 600 candles used in the shoot, the team pressed on, taping windows and door gaps to protect the atmosphere. “Although it all looks perfectly serene on camera, the wind was gusty,” Thorns explained. “Yet, not one person spoke throughout the recording. It was an extraordinary experience.”
The impact of the piece was immediate. One listener wrote to Thorns: “I’d phone you to tell you how absolutely beautiful your ‘Amazing Grace’ is but I’m sobbing my heart out. My mom died in October last year… and I’m trying to find a way to make peace with it.” For Thorns, responses like this affirm the deeper purpose of her work. “It brings me a sense of peace to know that this song and video bring comfort to others,” she said. “I have been a musician for many decades, and this moment in time has made me feel truly connected to the bigger picture—the ineffable bond we share as humans in our collective experiences.”
Thorns’ creative reach has long extended beyond traditional classical music. Known for visually captivating projects like The Bubble, CODA Africa, and the Galaxy Dress, she continues to push artistic boundaries. Her solo album Sanctuary was nominated for a 2023 South African Music Award, and she has performed for global icons such as Vanessa Mae, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, and John Legend. Most recently, she graced the stage at the Bidvest Gala Dinner in Reykjavik, Iceland.
With the release of “Amazing Grace,” Thorns offers not only a musical performance, but an emotional lifeline. In transforming her sorrow into sound, she reminds us all of music’s enduring ability to connect, comfort, and heal.
