Thursday, May 12, 2016

Michael S. Wright: 16-Year-Old Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a BBC4 Television 2016 Young Musician Finalist at 7 PM Sunday 15th May

(L-R) Jess Gillam, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Ben Goldscheider


Michael S. Wright writes:


Dear Bill,

This will interest some of your readers.

Having watched the category finals and the combined category semi-finals I would like to draw attention to the finals this Saturday. The three finalists are Jess Gillam (saxophone), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (‘cello) and Ben Goldscheider (French horn). However, your readers might like to watch out for 16 year cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason (pictured centre) who in my opinion and that of others was truly special when he played three works including an arrangement of Morceaux de Fantaisie op.3 'Elégie' by Rachmaninov accompanied by his sister Isata Kanneh-Mason (herself a finalist in 2014)  www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03synxh and Cassadó - Solo suite for cello, 3rd movt Shostakovich               Cello Sonata, 2nd movt. He will be performing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 this Saturday.

The BBC Young Musician 2016 Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC4 at 7.00pm on Sunday 15th May. I have watched most of the BBC Young Musician finals since the programme started and the standard this year has been exceptional. However, few players in the past have been representative of people of African origin and descent.

Sheku who I had spotted playing with with Chineke! However, it was not until recently http://africlassical.blogspot.com/2015/08/afrogermansthe-kanneh-masons-classical.html that I became aware of the musicality of the whole family (who are also an orchestra!) – see below!


If anyone has contact with the family, I wish Sheku the best for Saturday!

Mike

Comment by email:
Dear Bill
Thank you so much for forwarding this. Yes, Sheku is principal cello in the Chineke! Juniors and he also plays with the professional Chineke! Orchestra. He is our pride and joy and will go far. I will pass on your greetings Mike, thank you.
Best wishes
Chi-chi Nwanoku MBE, FRAM
Founder, Artistic & Executive Director Chineke! Foundation

Chineke! Foundation http://chineke.org/

Watch Chineke! cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason in the Grand Final of the BBC Young Musician this Sunday 15 May on BBC Four at 7.00pm http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00bb3wt
BBC R4: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05wkkrf/episodes/guide
Skype: chichinwanoku
Website: http://www.chi-chinwanoku.com

OAE: http://www.oae.co.uk

Chineke Foundation is a Registered Charity in England and Wales, No. 1165933.

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