Sheku Kanneh-Mason, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner: Hope in Shadow CD

Internationally acclaimed cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason presents his eighth studio album, Hope in Shadow.

Recorded with Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the album features Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1, Bruch's Kol Nidrei, Bloch's Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque, and John Williams' Theme from Schindler's List.

“Hope comes in many ways, and I have always sought those gleaming moments from the shadows. In the musical depths of desperation comes beauty, determination and what feels like a pearl of inspiration out of nowhere. For this album I wanted to gather pieces which contain their own view of Hope in Shadow; in the sound and in their intent. There is a darkness, a sombre and sorrowful quality that gives way to precious splashes of light.  During times which feel so very unstable and affect so many in the world, these works are a small yet powerful outcry to cling to and simply to reflect upon, relate to and perhaps even bring some comfort.”

“This album is made up of music that I’ve loved for a long time, first as a listener and now with the thrilling experience of performing it.  All the works feel as if they stretch the boundaries of sound in extreme and different ways. In embodying the stories the pieces tell, and the multiple characters within the music, we can travel on the paths of extreme suffering and drama, reaching pinnacles of hope through the complexity of the music.”
– Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Tracklist:

1. Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.33 I Allegro non troppo

2. Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.33 II Allegretto con moto

3. Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.33 III Tempo I - Un peu moins vite - Molto allegro

4. Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals, R12

5: XIII. The Swan5. Bruch: Kol Nidrei, Op.47 - I Adagio ma non troppo

6. Bruch: Kol Nidrei, Op.47 - II Un poco piu animato

7. Ravel arr. Richard Tognetti: Kaddish (from Deux Mélodies Hébraïque)

8. Bloch: Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque - I Lento Moderato

9. Bloch: Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque - II Allegro Moderato

10. Bloch: Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque - III Andante Moderato

11. Bloch: From Jewish Life 1. Prayer

12. Ernest Bloch: From Jewish Life 2. Supplication

13. Ernest Bloch: From Jewish Life 3. Jewish Song

14. John Williams: Schindler’s List