Together, the brother and sister duo highlight the value of the Colburn Celebrity Recital series that brings diverse voices to the finest music hall in the country.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 06-03-2025
On the evening of May 28, 2025, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Isata Kanneh-Mason, two incredibly talented siblings, delivered an unforgettable performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. As part of the Colburn Celebrity Recital series, their performance felt like an intimate dialogue. Beyond words or even sight, their musical understanding and communication come from family bonds. Indeed, their connection was immediate, built on trust and a shared purpose.
The evening’s program began with Mendelssohn’s Cello Sonata No. 1 in B-flat major, a vibrant piece with romantic highlights that still radiate with passion. Isata Kanneh-Mason provided a crystal-clear framework at the piano. Indeed, her touch is decisive yet never rigid. Infusing each phrase with breath and structure, her playing forms the backbone of the duo.
Against this elegant support, Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s cello finds room to explore and express. With a heartfelt tone and fluid phrasing, he brings the classical music to life again in today’s world. From the first note, the two artists came together as one, yet their roles remained distinct. As Isata provides a grounding base, he brings the story behind the notes to life with an unbridled passion.
In Fauré’s Cello Sonata No. 1 in D minor, the mood of the evening ventured into a darker, more contemplative landscape. Isata’s piano brought forth a moody, atmospheric quality that evoked the feel of Van Gogh’s later paintings. In contrast, Sheku embraced the sonata’s complexity with both restraint and passion. At times, it felt like he was on the verge of letting the music take him away into a place well beyond the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
After intermission, the evening shifted in tone, focusing on the microcosm of their lives. With Natalie Klouda’s Tor Mordôn, the audience was able to experience a journey of roots and reflection, written specifically for siblings. Indeed, reflecting the balance of their Caribbean heritage with their upbringing in Wales, the music captures their journey on an intimate level.
Rather than conforming to traditional archetypes, the piece unfolds like a dream. Indeed, it is fragmented, searching, and evocative. Isata celebrated its rhythmic demands with quiet authority. Hence, her precision kept the piece grounded while allowing Sheku the freedom to explore like a person reveling in a bevy of rediscovered memories.
Sheku’s playing here turned deeply inward. His tone grew hushed, then raw, and then radiant. Thus, the pauses between passages were just as significant as the notes themselves. Together, they painted a soundscape of migration and belonging. Sitting by my side, my friend Sam Worley, a singer and musician, was profoundly moved by this interaction:
“As a musician, the third piece they played was very captivating. It stuck out from the others as a more modern composition. Sheku explained how it was written to display elements from their Antiguan and Welsh roots, down to the specific minor interval that evokes the croaking of frogs in Antigua. I found this piece to be a raw demonstration of their technical skills and versatility as players in the middle of a more classical and polished program.”
Indeed, what sets these performances apart is not just talent; it is the rare synergy between the siblings who understand each other beyond the stage. Isata was the steady pulse, while Sheku embodied the emotion and fire. Neither overshadowed the other, with each listening attentively while supporting each other’s transcendent moments.
From the first note, their connection shaped the expression of tempo and tonality. At the end, the audience at Walt Disney Concert Hall rose in admiration. However, their clapping was not just for the music. Beyond the compositions, there was a celebration of the shared spirit of the sibling bond that brought the music to life.
Photo Courtesy of the LA Phil
