Abel Selaocoe & Aurora Orchestra

Abel Selaocoe

Abel Selaocoe muss in jeder Hinsicht nur Erstaunen hervorrufen. Nicht genug, dass der Südafrikaner als Cellist und Komponist internationales Renommee genießt, er vermag auf der Bühne auch mit seinen Gesangskünsten zu überzeugen.Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo – wer kennt sie nicht, diese Topstars unter den südafrikanischen Vokalisten. Doch was Abel Selaocoe in diesem Genre bietet, stellt alles bis dahin Bekannte weit in den Schatten: Neben dem virtuosen, gleichwohl unorthodoxen Spiel auf dem Cello stellt sein Gesang einen festen Bestandteil seiner Performance dar – die Beteiligung des Publikums ist dabei ausdrücklich erwünscht! So gerät das Konzert unter dem Titel »Voices« zu einem beispiellosen Gemeinschaftserlebnis, zu einem gefeierten Miteinander. Gefördert vom Kuratorium KölnMusik e.V.

Abel Selaocoe solo

Aurora Orchestra und Abel Selaocoe

After the great success that the South African cellist, singer and composer Abel Selaocoe had at Konzerthaus last spring with the Bantu Ensemble and „Ancestral Memories“, we are delighted to welcome back this crossover artist between the musical cultures of European classical music and South Africa. Virtuoso on his instrument and with an expressive voice, with which Abel also masters an overtone singing style called Umngqokolo, he creates intense music full of suggestive and expressive power. This time he performs together with the experimental Aurora Orchestra, which plays by heart and whose programme includes Beethoven's Seventh alongside Abel's work „Four Spirits“.

Aurora Orchestra / Abel Selaocoe / Nicholas Collon

The South African cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe has an irrepressible energy and stage presence that has propelled him from a township near Johannesburg to the top of the music world. Together with London’s Aurora Orchestra, whose Elbphilharmonie debut was hailed by the press as a »boldly creative orchestra« with »extravagantly sparkling interpretation«, an explosive evening is guaranteed. Selaocoe transcends genre boundaries with ease in his Cello Concerto. He combines Western music from classical to soul with the sounds and traditions of his homeland – including intense, throaty singing, which plays just as big a role in the concerto as the cello does. In the second half of the concert, the Aurora Orchestra presents its trademark: a major symphonic work, played entirely from memory without sheet music. Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, which the composer himself described as a »sheer expression of joy, happiness and the affirmation of life«, should be a perfect fit for the enthusiastic young orchestra.

Abel Selaocoe & Manchester Collective

Abel Selaocoe, a South African musician, transcends traditional cello playing by blending genres and incorporating sounds of his homeland. His album "Where is Home (Hae Ke Kae)" earned him the OPUS Klassik award. With Manchester Collective, he creatively combines Bach's cello suites with his own unique musical influences, showcasing both his cello and vocal skills. Supported by Kuratorium KölnMusik e.V. and JTI.

Abel Selaocoe & Ensemble Resonanz

Out of the Box: Wenn Abel Selaocoe die Bühne betritt, gibt es nur noch die Musik – jenseits aller Genregrenzen und Erwartungshaltungen. Klassik und Weltmusik verschmelzen in seiner virtuosen Performance aus klassischem Cellospiel, Improvisation, Gesang und Bodypercussion zu einem einmaligen Musikerlebnis.Neben dem Klassiker »Waldesruh« von Antonín Dvořák hat der südafrikanische Cellist auch »We Were Trees« des italienischen Cellisten und Komponisten Giovanni Sollima aufs Programm gesetzt: ein wahres Klangabenteuer mit einem Mix verschiedener Stile, mal klassisch, mal folkloristisch, mal perkussiv, mal meditativ. Mit dem Ensemble Resonanz hat er dafür ideale Verbündete gefunden, die in ihren Konzerten ebenfalls mit Enthusiasmus innovative und neue Wege gehen, mal als Residenzensemble der Hamburger Elbphilharmonie, mal im selbst gegründeten Kammermusikclub auf St. Pauli. ​Gefördert vom Kuratorium KölnMusik e.V.

Ensemble Resonanz / Abel Selaocoe / Saerom Park

South African cellist Abel Selaocoe redefines the parameters of the cello and combines virtuoso skills with improvisation, singing and body percussion. He has found an ideal ally in Ensemble Resonanz, which also enthusiastically explores innovative and new paths in its concerts, sometimes as the Ensemble in Residence of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and sometimes in the chamber music club it founded itself in the Hamburg district of St Pauli. Together they move through worlds, genres and eras – until they arrive together in the future. In »Silent Woods« by Antonín Dvořák, the leaves rustle in the wind with four celli. »When We Were Trees« by Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima takes us through the seasons in a true sound adventure with a mix of different styles – sometimes classical, sometimes folkloristic, sometimes percussive, sometimes meditative. Kate Moore contributes a new composition for cello and Selaocoe’s voice.

Ensemble Resonanz / Abel Selaocoe / Saerom Park

South African cellist Abel Selaocoe redefines the parameters of the cello and combines virtuoso skills with improvisation, singing and body percussion. He has found an ideal ally in Ensemble Resonanz, which also enthusiastically explores innovative and new paths in its concerts, sometimes as the Ensemble in Residence of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and sometimes in the chamber music club it founded itself in the Hamburg district of St Pauli. Together they move through worlds, genres and eras – until they arrive together in the future. In »Silent Woods« by Antonín Dvořák, the leaves rustle in the wind with four celli. »When We Were Trees« by Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima takes us through the seasons in a true sound adventure with a mix of different styles – sometimes classical, sometimes folkloristic, sometimes percussive, sometimes meditative. Kate Moore contributes a new composition for cello and Selaocoe’s voice.

Abel Selaocoe: Christmas From Around the World

The BBC Singers join forces once more with their Artist in Association Abel Selaocoe, for a concert of music for the Christmas season from around the world.

When We Were Trees – Abel Selaocoe & Ensemble Resonanz

The Concertgebouw’s famous Main Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world, well-known for its exceptional acoustics and special atmosphere. In the Main Hall, you will feel history. Here, Gustav Mahler conducted his own compositions, as did Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky. Sergei Rachmaninoff played his own piano concertos in the Main Hall. This is also where musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Yehudi Menuhin gave legendary performances. Right up to now, the Main Hall offers a stage to the world’s best orchestras and musicians. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Main Hall for yourself!