Christopher Cook

Abel Selaocoe

“Selaocoe’s way of reinventing the cello went straight to the heart”, wrote one critic and recently the young South African cellist has been exciting audiences and critics alike. Moving effortlessly across a gamut of musical styles and genres he is equally at ease as a soloist or collaborating with musicians from around the world. His performances are a heady mix of improvisation, singing and body percussion that cross the bridge between Western and non-Western music traditions. Deeply committed to opening up classical music to a wider and more diverse audience, Selaocoe founded the Chesaba trio, which specialises in music by African composers. Abel Selaocoe talks to Christopher Cook about his music making.