Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Isata Kanneh-Mason

Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello
Isata Kanneh-Mason piano

Fauré Cello Sonata No. 1
Poulenc Cello Sonata
Natalie Klouda Tor Mordôn [Irish Premiere]
New work commission by American Patrons of the Philharmonia Orchestra, London, Mr. and Mrs. William Jacob III
Mendelssohn Cello Sonata No. 1

Superstar musicians Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason have taken the musical world by storm, staking a claim to the world’s great concert houses and making history with their performances and recordings.

Both artists make a much-anticipated and welcome return to the NCH with rarely heard treasures by Fauré, Poulenc and Mendelssohn.

Written for the siblings, Natalie Klouda’s new work Tor Mordôn receives its Irish premiere.

Did you know?

Fauré was an accomplished organist and in later life briefly taught Poulenc despite his student’s antipathy to his music.

Poulenc was a member of the Paris-based ‘Les Six’ who also included Milhaud, Auric and Honegger.

Natalie Klouda took lessons with Yehudi Menuhin at the legendary violinist’s school.

Mendelssohn First Cello Sonata was composed for his brother, Paul, a banker and keen amateur cellist.

Listen out for…

The arm-wrestling between cello and piano in Fauré’s Sonata that provokes the edgy and argumentative first theme.

How the piano sensitively responds to the cello’s dark-hued lullaby-like theme in the second movement.

The playful relationship between cello and piano, gleefully echoing each, that begins Poulenc’s Sonata.

Their subdued intimacy in the ‘Cavatine’ where the cello sings a mournful melody.

How Mendelssohn treats both instruments as equal partners; the cello’s confidence matched by pianistic brilliance in the opening; the piano responding to the cello’s sudden change of mood in the Andante; how both dissipate the Finale’s portentous beginning to end in gentle accord.

Presented by NCH