大象传媒

South African cellist, singer and composer Abel Selaocoe explores the infinite bounds of the cello, looking at how virtuosic power and vocal expression carries through similar instruments around the world.

In this episode, Abel explains how the cello's phenomenal virtuosity and human-like voice is common to similar instruments in other cultures, including the Eritrean wata and South African lesiba, and delves into how poetry and storytelling is communicated through the cello. With some incredible improvisations Abel demonstrates how he creates so many fascinating sounds on the instrument such as circular bowing inspired by Lesotho's sekhankula, and moves from the virtuosity of Bach to the yearning expressivity of Egyptian tonality, as well as improvising on the music of Tanzania's Wagogo people.