A wholly enchanting and inspiring evening of live music by musicians at the very top of their game
Entering the Barbican on a Thursday evening in November, the buzz was palpable. The audience appeared to be a beautiful mix from a range of demographics… some members who appeared to be regular attendees of orchestra concerts, and those, like myself, who have only seen one or two live orchestras in my life time, and were attending wholly to see the enigmatic, Abel Selaocoe.
The concert began with an introduction from conductor, Duncan Ward, who created an entirely warm, cheery and professional atmosphere. He was a fantastic and electric presence, and had complete command over the incomparable London Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra began with an exuberant folk-music suite by Béla Bartók, who himself is an excellent example of musical dogmas. It immediately encapsulated the audience, taking us on a winding journey of soft strings, to booming percussion. The ebbs and flows of the composition ensured the audience were consistently surprised but the changes in tempo and unexpected yet dramatic mix of instruments and harmonies. The strings danced together, and the London symphony orchestra were at their best, playing like a well oiled machine.
Then the main event… Abel Selaocoe himself. From the second he stepped on stage with his Cello, we were under his trance. His presence and pure, infectious love for the music he had written, which is highly inspired by his South African heritage, was a joy to witness. He encouraged the audience to clap and sing along when instructed, always a risky move, especially in an orchestral environment, where audience interaction is a rare occurrence. This performance was his first time playing his highly anticipated cello concerto, Four Spirits, and was also his debut with the LSO.
It was an unforgettable evening. The blend of Selaocoe’s vocalisations, complimented with his sensational Cello playing; he is a complete master of his instrument. This composition went beyond music, it truly was a spiritual experience. The audience were more than moved to join in singing and clapping along when instructed, making us feel apart of the orchestra ourselves.
This is simply an unmissable evening of music at its most exciting and moving. It is a celebration of the power that music has to bring people together, unite and enjoy, putting all other differences to the side for a moment, and simply listening.