Get to know Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Bloch’s Schelomo takes inspiration from the Biblical stories of King Solomon. Do you like to do a lot of research into the context of a piece when you’re preparing to perform it, or do you prefer to focus completely on the score? How did you approach Schelomo?

Particularly when it’s a piece as programmatic as Schelomo, it’s really valuable to read around the subject. Of course the score is wonderfully detailed in terms of harmony and melodies and there’s much to take from there, but relating back to texts and some of the cultural aspects is important; I find knitting those two together can make for a strong performance.

Bloch spent several years composing pieces with Jewish themes, exploring how he could express his Jewish identity through music. You’ve made recordings of pieces that reflect different aspects of your identity; could you tell us about the music that you feel particularly strong personal ties with?

The music that I got to know and love from a young age I will always have a strong relationship with. I grew up playing a lot of chamber music: Haydn, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert for example, and so I feel very close to it simply because I played it when I was very young. I do love early 20th century music as well – Bridge, Elgar, Finzi, for instance.

You’re the Philharmonia’s Featured Artist this season – what has it been like getting to know the Orchestra?

It’s been wonderful. I played with them in 2020 with a lockdown session concert and it’s a wonderful group of musicians. A lot of the players I have known from various other places and some I studied at college with. It’s also great to play a range of different music with the same orchestra – I find that very exciting.

What made you want to learn the cello, rather than any other instrument?

The sound and range of sounds and how personal the instrument sound is I suppose is what drew me to it and there’s a wonderful selection of repertoire that I can indulge in!

You’re back in June, playing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor in Basingstoke and London. Aside from that occasion, which other concerts in the Philharmonia’s season catch your eye?

I have heard pianist Behzod Abduraimov a few times in concert and I’m excited to hear him play the fantastic Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 on 18 May – it’s such a great piece.