With its season focus “Afrodiaspora – Composing While Black”, the DSO is shining a spotlight on the music of Black composers. Who, if not Abel Selaocoe, should be the “Artist in Focus” for this?

Over four evenings, the South African cellist, singer and composer captivated Berlin audiences with his music: at the legendary jazz club Quasimodo, he gave a solo concert in an intimate setting, performing mainly his own compositions as well as improvisations.

The following days saw the world premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s new concerto for cello and voice at the Philharmonie, written especially for Abel and the DSO and conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero. You can listen to it here: https://www.radiodrei.de/programm/schema/sendungen/radio3_konzert/archiv/20260321_2000.html

Abel rounded off his residency with a concert at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, together with his Bantu Ensemble.

On all three evenings, the audience showed their appreciation with standing ovations and cheers. What a successful week!