Inspiration: Vinyl LP Sheku Kanneh-Mason

★★★★★ The Times: “A thrillingly memorable performance… his remarkable sound is even more concentrated and spellbinding”

★★★★★ The Observer: “Sheku and Mirga: an astounding double act whose youth, verve and diversity challenge classical stereotypes in one joyful swoop… He is a cellist of poise and seriousness. Bold in virtuosity, assured in musicianship”

One of the brightest young stars in classical music, teenage cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, teams up with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla for his debut album.

Recorded in Birmingham and Sheku’s hometown of Nottingham during two CBSO concerts conducted by Gražinytė-Tyla, the album features Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 – the piece which propelled Sheku to fame as the first black winner of BBC Young Musician in the competition’s 38-year history.

Sheku has been on a whirlwind adventure since winning BBC Young Musician 2016 – performing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ at the BAFTAs in front of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, playing at 10 Downing Street as part of the 30th anniversary of Black History Month, and making his BBC Proms debut as a soloist with Chineke! – Europe’s first majority BME (black and minority ethnic) orchestra – with the video of his performance going viral. All this whilst completing his A-Levels, graduating from Trinity School in Nottingham and starting his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

TRACKS:
1    YOSEF HADAR – Evening of Roses     
2    SAINT-SAËNS – The Swan     
3    CASALS – Song of the Birds     
4    SHOSTAKOVICH – Nocturne from The Gadfly Suite     
5    OFFENBACH – Jacqueline’s Tears     
6    CASALS – Sardana     
7    BOB MARLEY – No Woman, No Cry     
8    LEONARD COHEN – Hallelujah     
9    SHOSTAKOVICH – Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107, I. Allegretto     
10    SHOSTAKOVICH – Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107, II. Moderato     
11    SHOSTAKOVICH – Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107, III. Cadenza – Attacca     
12    SHOSTAKOVICH – Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107, IV. Allegro con moto