It’s never too early to plan for an event, especially when it involves Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who will make his US debut in Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 with the Seattle Symphony October 18-20. His introduction to American audiences as soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra was set for the weekend of May 19, but rescheduled do to his sublime performance at a wedding –
The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. “For me, having the opportunity to perform at the wedding meant performing to so many people worldwide, which was such a special experience. I am so glad that the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra were able to postpone the debut, and were very understanding,” says Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Apparently the now Duke and Duchess of Sussex heard him perform in London last summer and she asked him to participate in the wedding’s musical offerings. By the way, his appearance with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will take place during their 2019-2020 season.
This is all par for the course for 19 year-old Kanneh-Mason who has been making musical tidal waves for quite some time, particularly as the first black musician to win the 2016 BBC Young Musician competition. His hometown of Nottingham, England was so excited, they named a city bus in his honor.
Kanneh-Mason was raised in a family of 6 musical siblings who often perform together. He began studying cello at age 6 and by age 9 was winning solo and chamber music competitions in the UK that quickly developed into concert appearances at such venues as London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Barbican Hall, Royal Festival Hall and in the Cello Unwrapped series at King’s Palace.
He currently studies with Hannah Roberts at London’s Royal Academy of Music, who was a pupil of William Pleeth. “Hannah teaches in a very detailed way, and it is so inspiring. She definitely encourages us to have our own individual playing through thinking in the most detailed way about the music,” he comments.
Although still a student, Kanneh-Mason’s up beat career includes appearances with the Chineke! Orchestra of which he was a member (the group is comprised of black and minority classical musicians), the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and ITV ‘s Britain’s Got Talent along with his siblings. He was also featured in the BBC documentary Young, Gifted and Classical: The Making of a Maestro.
If these accomplishments leave you a little breathless, here are some more.
Kanneh-Mason’s recent debut recording Inspiration, on the Decca Classics label, soared to a #1 rating on the UK Albums Chart. The CD features Shostakovichs’ first cello concerto, Op. 107 with the City of Birmingham Symphony as well as a variety of smaller works such as Kanneh-Mason’s arrangement of Bob Marley’s song No Woman, No Cry. “I love a range of music, and the music I recorded were all pieces that I’ve listened to a lot growing up and have inspired me. I feel at home with music I love to listen to and play,” he observes.
He is represented by London’s classy Enticott Music Management. And if you are wondering what this teenage artist plays, it’s a 1610 Antonius and Hieronymus Amati cello on permanent loan from a private patron. In this regard, he mentions two legendary artists admired for their individual personality. “Jacqueline du Pre and Rostropovich both had incredible sounds, but each was unique and distinct. You can tell by listening to a recording, which one of them is playing. For me, sound is about exploring the possibilities of my instrument, discovering new colors and possibilities and trying to find my own personal sound.”
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is an exceptional talent and among a growing number of black and African American classical musicians who have enjoyed international recognition through the years to present, such as Wynton Marsalis, Awadagin Pratt and Roderick Cox. “There is definitely not a lack of interest when black people have the opportunity to experience this music, and this does partly start with education.” Go for it!