Sheku: ‘This is going to sound awful, but I support Arsenal’

Nottingham’s chart-topping cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason is back with a new album, Elgar. The Trinity School pupil turned international star chats with KEVIN COOPER

YOUR forthcoming album, Elgar, is an album of work anchored around Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Putting you on the spot, do you have a favourite piece on the album?

That’s easy; my all-time favourite piece of music is Elgar’s Cello Concerto. It is the piece that I grew up with, and it is the piece that made me want to be a cellist. To me, it really is a special piece of music.

How was it working with Sir Simon Rattle?

I have to be honest with you and say that was really special. Sir Simon is full of ideas, he listened to what I had to say and really made me feel really free whenever I played with him. For me, that really was a wonderful opportunity.

You currently have a release date for the album of January 10, 2020. When did you finish the album, and how long has it been sitting on the shelf waiting to be unleashed?

I recorded the cello concerto back in June this year, and then the rest of the album in September so not that long ago really. The whole thing was finished at the end of September.

Are you a meddler or can you walk away from the album and wait patiently for its release date to come around?

Oh no, I will leave it well alone. All of the editing is finished so there is no more that I can do. Of course, every time that I play it something will be different, but I am really happy with the way that I presented it on the day that we were recording it.

For you, the last few years have been a whirlwind, have you managed to catch your breath yet?

Yes, I have, I always make sure that I have time to relax and make sure that I get some time off from the music side of things. However, I do make sure that I am able to take full advantage of the wonderful opportunities that present themselves to me. For me, it is good for me to have some time off as well as performing; otherwise it is possible for me to run out of energy and burnout. If I am to do this for the rest of my life, then it is important for me to take those breaks.

What do you like to do to relax when you get some downtime?

The big thing that I like to do is to play football and I do that as often as I can. I like to read, go for walks and generally chill out with my friends.

Now that you have opened a can of worms, and bearing in mind that you are from a city that has two famous football teams, I have to ask you, who do you support?

This is going to sound awful, but I actually support Arsenal.

When The Telegraph writes ‘the world’s most talented family’ how does that make you feel? Does it lift you or does it bring added pressures?

To be totally honest with you, we as a family, never really think about things like that. I have never thought as being one of the world’s most talented people. I have been very lucky not only with talent but with the opportunities that have come my way. What you also have to remember is that those opportunities only come your way if you are prepared to put in the hard work that is needed. So in answer to your question, I tend not to read things such as that.

You have received numerous awards over the past few years. Which has given you the greatest pleasure?

I would say that the award that I am most proud of is The BBC Young

Musician of the Year which I won in 2016. For me, that is the most special.

And what about Nottingham City Transport naming a bus after you?

I love that. I really was honoured when I heard about that. That is one of the great things about being from a smaller city such as Nottingham. There is a sense of pride and belonging and let me tell you that I am very proud of being from Nottingham and I am so pleased that Nottingham has recognised just what it is that I have been doing.

I can’t speak to you without mentioning the royal wedding. Where were you when you received official confirmation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanted you to perform on the day?

I was actually on my way back home after coming out of a rehearsal session in London. Naturally, it caught me by surprise, but it was such a massive honour for me as well.

What about on the day, were you nervous at all?

Nervous no, I don’t really get nervous when I perform. Of course, that performance was very different to the performances that I am used to, but I wasn’t nervous. However, I was extremely excited.

You originally began playing the violin; why the shift to the cello?

You will laugh at this, but I actually played the violin for about a month. I can remember watching a full orchestra performing and being really excited by the sound and the look of the cello. It was at that point that I wanted to switch from the violin to the cello. I don’t know exactly what it was that drew me to the cello, I just remember being drawn to the instrument and wanting to be a cellist.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?

I would just say that hopefully I will be continuing to perform around the world and continuing to explore as much music as I possibly can, seeing where that takes me.

How will you be spending Christmas?

This year, the whole of the family is getting together with my mum’s sister and her family, in mid-Wales. There will be 30 or so of us, in the Welsh countryside so hopefully it will be really nice.

You’re touring at the moment but Nottingham is not one of the cities on the tour schedule.

Yes, I know, that’s true. But let me promise you that I will be back to perform in Nottingham in a couple of years’ time. I love performing at the Royal Concert Hall so I will be looking forward to coming back to Nottingham and performing there. That, for me, will be something really special.

What do you think to the Royal Concert Hall?

It is such a very special place and I just love the whole vibe there. It really is a fantastic place to play.

■ ■Sheku is performing at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Saturday, July 18, 2020. ckets: www.thsh.co.uk/event/bc-201920-sheku-kanneh-mason-in-recital Price: £12.50 - £98.00