Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a renowned British cellist who has achieved success at a young age. He is best known for winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2016.
Sheku plays a rare and exquisite cello made by Matteo Goffriller in 1730, which he was loaned by The Royal Academy of Music. This instrument, known as ‘The Duchess of Alba’, was given to him after his win at the BBC Young Musician of the Year.
The cello is an incredible instrument with a deep and rich sound, and Sheku’s playing has been praised for its intricate detail, emotion, and technical skill. He has performed with many orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s playing on ‘The Duchess of Alba’ is truly remarkable – it’s no surprise that he has become one of the most sought after cellists in Britain today.
Early Life of Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in 1999 in Nottingham and started playing the cello at the age of six. His mother, Kadiatu, is a nurse and his father, Stuart, is a carpenter. Sheku was the eldest of seven children and came from a musical family. His mother encouraged him to learn music and he soon joined the junior department of the Royal Academy of Music.
At age nine, Sheku won his first competition – BBC Young Musician 2016 – becoming the first black musician to do so. He was also awarded a scholarship to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. During his time there, he performed at various events including BBC Proms 2016.
Sheku plays on a two-hundred-year old Italian cello called Bonjour which was generously loaned to him by a patron of music. He has won numerous awards for his outstanding performances including the 2018 Ivor Novello Award for classical music album of the year with his debut album ‘Inspiration’.
In addition to playing classical music, Sheku also enjoys performing popular music covers on his cello, as well as other instruments such as guitar and piano.
Education and Training of Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a renowned British cellist who began playing the instrument at the age of six. He has since gone on to receive awards such as the BBC Young Musician of the Year award in 2016, and has performed for dignitaries such as former US President Barack Obama. His training includes studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, where he achieved an Artist Diploma in Performance with Distinction. He also studied under world-renowned cellists such as Natasha Boyarsky and Steven Isserlis. Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays an Amati cello from 1620, one of the earliest instruments made by the famous Italian family of luthiers.
Sheku’s musical success has been built upon a foundation of hard work, dedication, and passion for his craft. He strives to innovate within classical music by combining elements from other genres and collaborating with different types of musicians. His goal is to create music that speaks to people all over the world, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or musical preferences.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s Musical Achievements
One of the world’s most celebrated young cellists, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, has accomplished a remarkable range of musical feats. He has performed at prestigious venues such as the BBC Proms, the Royal Albert Hall, and Carnegie Hall; collaborated with some of the greatest musicians in the world; and released two critically acclaimed albums. In 2018, he gained international fame when he played at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. His talent has caught the attention of many high-profile figures including Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Michael Bublé, and Donatella Versace.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays a 1760 Joseph Panormo cello that was loaned to him by a generous benefactor. The instrument is one of the most sought after in the world and it allows Sheku to express his tremendous musicality. His diverse repertoire ranges from classical masterpieces to contemporary works to popular music. He is an incredibly versatile artist who continues to impress audiences with his phenomenal playing.
Honors and Awards Received by Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a young British cellist who has achieved remarkable success. He has won numerous awards and honors in recognition of his talent, including the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year Award, the 2017 Classic Brit Awards Critics’ Choice Award, and the 2018 Royal Philharmonic Society’s Young Artist Award. He was also named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2020 for his services to music.
Kanneh-Mason plays an Italian Goffriller cello from 1710 and has performed with some of the world’s greatest orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic. His impressive achievements have made him one of Britain’s most celebrated classical musicians.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s Music Repertoire
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a phenomenal cellist, playing a wide range of musical pieces. His repertoire includes music from the Baroque period, such as Bach’s Cello Suites and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, as well as works by contemporary composers like Philip Glass, John Tavener, Arvo Pärt, and Gabriel Fauré. He has also recorded pieces by jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Additionally, Sheku has performed his own arrangements of popular songs such as Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry.
When performing, Sheku plays a 1710 Matteo Goffriller cello with a rich tone and depth of sound that makes it ideal for classical music. He also owns a modern cello made in the 1990s which he primarily uses for concerts and recordings of contemporary music. With his mastery of both instruments, Sheku is able to bring an unparalleled level of expression to any piece he plays.
Notable Performances of Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist and winner of the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year award. He has performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, including at the Proms, the BBC Proms, and in venues such as London’s Royal Festival Hall. His 2017 performance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was widely acclaimed.
Sheku plays a 1696 Stradivarius cello made by Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari. This instrument produces a particularly clear, warm sound that is perfect for classical music. He has used this instrument to perform works by composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, and Prokofiev. He also performs contemporary works by composers including Tobias Hume, Errollyn Wallen, and Sally Beamish. In 2019 he released an album entitled ‘Inspiration’, which featured a selection of classical pieces performed on his Stradivarius cello.
Sheku’s performances have been applauded for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. His playing style has been described as both powerful and sensitive, with a rich timbre that evokes deep emotion in audiences. He has been praised for his ability to bring out the beauty in each piece he plays. His unique interpretation of classical works has earned him many admirers around the world.
Conclusion
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist and the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year. He plays a Matteo Goffriller cello, made in Venice in 1710. His instrument is one of the most valuable and prized instruments in the world and has been played by some of the greatest cellists of all time. Kanneh-Mason is renowned for his skillful playing and passionate performances, which have earned him an international reputation. His performances have been featured on television, radio, and film, as well as at prestigious venues around the world. He has also released several albums and continues to tour regularly. The Matteo Goffriller cello that Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays is a testament to his talent and dedication to music.
