South African cellist Abel Selaocoe put out a third preview of his upcoming album, Hymns of Bantu, which is set to release on February 21st.  “L.B. Files: Igiul,” an interpretation of Giovanni Sollima’s “L.B. Files” concerto, is an emotional set of contemporary classical music sure to stir any heart. This follows his earlier previews, “Emmanuele” and “Sarabande,” which explored a traditional South African hymn and Bach’s Sixth Suite respectively. Together, we have a set of three that gives us insight into the deep harmonies that are sure to inform Selaocoe’s upcoming album. 

What stands out to me is how quickly these constellations of notes and harmonies is able to make a listener feel. I can see the bow in my mind’s eye just as I can hear it so strikingly. Each flourish is not just a melodic rhythm, but a kind of dance leading listeners through this journey. It would be all too easy to ascribe this delicate cohesion of notes to its original composer and there is credit there, but there is something about the way that Selaocoe plays that is deeply intimate and immediate. At no moment did I feel like I was listening to this from the back of a concert hall. Instead, there is connection that resonated with me immediately as I heard his cello. 

When speaking about the upcoming Hymns of Bantu, Selaocoe explains that “The crux of the album is about celebrating those that have come before us, and how we are all connected.” From these three recordings, it is easy to see how Selaocoe is able to interweave South African traditional hymns into the fabric of Western classical standards from Bach and Beethoven. All of these traditions are connected through Selaocoe, sharing the ethos of his upcoming album that is as diverse in its inspirations as it is passionate in its interpretations. 

Until then, I encourage you to give “L.B. Files: Igiul” a listen as well as “Emmanuele” and “Sarabande”. While any classical music fan should not miss out on Selaocoe’s talents, any music lover will appreciate the gentle yet thrilling way that this cellist is able to move us and make us feel emotions we may not have expected. Or better yet, join Selaocoe on tour in North America, Australia, and Europe. While we eagerly await Hymns of Bantu on February 21st, 2025 all three tracks are available for streaming now. 

Find tickets for Abel Selaocoe’s upcoming performances here.

Thu 6 Feb 2025 – Benaroya Hall – Seattle, Washington

Sat 8 Feb 2025 – Benaroya Hall – Seattle, Washington

Thu 13 Feb 2025 – Kracum Performance Hall – Northfield, Minnesota

Fri 14 Feb 2025 – Ordway Center for the Performing Arts – St. Paul, Minnesota

Sat 15 Feb 2025 – Ordway Center for the Performing Arts – St. Paul, Minnesota

Sun 16 Feb 2025 – Ted Mann Concert Hall – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Wed 26 Feb 2025 – Isarphilharmonie – Munich, Germany

Fri 28 Feb 2025 – Rudolf Oetker Hall – Bielefeld, Germany

Sat 1 Mar 2025 – Elbphilharmonie Hamburg – Hamburg, Germany

Sun 2 Mar 2025 – Alte Oper Frankfurt – Frankfurt, Germany

Mon 3 Mar 2025 – Konzerthaus Berlin – Berlin, Germany

Wed 5 Mar 2025 – Kölner Philharmonie – Cologne, Germany

Thu 6 Mar 2025 – Concertgebouw Brugge – Brugge, Belgium

Sat 8 Mar 2025 – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre – London, United Kingdom

Sun 8 Mar 2025 – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre – London, United Kingdom

Wed 26 Mar 2025 – Troxy – London, United Kingdom

Thu 3 Apr 2025 – Wollongong Town Hall – Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Sat 5 Apr 2025 – City Recital Hall – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sun 6 Apr 2025 – Sydney Opera House – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Mon 7 Apr 2025 – Llewellyn Hall, Australian National University – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Tue 8 Apr 2025 – City Recital Hall – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Wed 9 Apr 2025 – City Recital Hall – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sat 12 Apr 2025 – Melbourne Recital Centre – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Sun 13 Apr 2025 – Arts Centre Melbourne – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Mon 14 Apr 2025 – Melbourne Recital Centre – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Tue 15 Apr 2025 – Adelaide Town Hall – Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Fri 2 May 2025 – Kölner Philharmonie – Cologne, Germany

Sat 3 May 2025 – Kölner Philharmonie – Cologne, Germany

Tue 13 May 2025 – Wigmore Hall – London, United Kingdom

Wed 21 May 2025 – Maison symphonique de Montréal – Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Thu 22 May 2025 – Maison symphonique de Montréal – Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Wed 11 Jun 2025 – Elbphilharmonie Hamburg – Hamburg, Germany

Thu 12 Jun 2025 – Elbphilharmonie Hamburg – Hamburg, Germany

Fri 13 Jun 2025 – Elbphilharmonie Hamburg – Hamburg, Germany

Sat 14 Jun 2025 – The Concertgebouw – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sun 15 Jun 2025 – Kölner Philharmonie – Cologne, Germany

Thu 17 Jul 2025 – Hospitalhof Stuttgart – Stuttgart, Germany

Sun 20 Jul 2025 – Katholische Kirche Maria Heimsuchung – Bubenreuth, Germany

Tue 22 Jul 2025 – Schloss Elmau – Elmau, Germany