Who's The Cellist At Harry's Wedding?

The name of the cellist who played at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding is Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Kanneh-Mason was just 19 years old when he performed at the royal wedding in 2018. He played three pieces during the interlude in which the couple signed the registry: Maria Theresia von Paradis’s Sicilienne, Gabriel Faure’s Apres un reve, and Franz Schubert’s Ave Maria.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding

Kanneh-Mason's performance at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel was witnessed by a global audience of nearly 2 billion people. The cellist played three pieces chosen by the royal couple: Sicilienne by Maria Theresia von Paradis, Apres un Reve by Fauré, and Ave Maria by Schubert.

Despite the immense pressure of performing at such a high-profile event, Kanneh-Mason approached the occasion with remarkable equanimity. He later shared that he was "just playing to the people in the room" and was not overly focused on the massive television audience. This composure is a recurring theme for the cellist, who does not consider himself afraid of making mistakes. Instead, his primary concern is conveying the music to the highest level and in the most intense way possible.

Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding introduced his talent to a worldwide audience and opened doors to numerous opportunities. His debut album, "Inspiration," reached No. 11 in the pop charts, and he has since released two more albums with Decca Records, spanning centuries and genres of music. He has also performed at other prestigious events, including the Royal Variety Performance, and has been recognised on the streets, especially when carrying his cello.

The impact of Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding extended beyond his own career. As a young Black musician in a genre where Black artists are underrepresented, his appearance at the wedding inspired others from diverse backgrounds to pursue classical music. Kanneh-Mason himself has actively promoted music education and opportunity, donating £3000 to his old school in Nottingham to ensure the future of cello teaching there.

The cellist's repertoire

The cellist who played at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Kanneh-Mason is a celebrated cellist with a diverse repertoire, ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary works. Here is an overview of his performances and the pieces he has interpreted:

Early Performances and Recognition:

Sheku Kanneh-Mason first rose to prominence at the age of 19 when he was handpicked by Meghan Markle to perform at her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. He captivated the hearts of many with his exceptional talent and earned the endearing nickname "Cello Bae" on Twitter. Kanneh-Mason's performance included renditions of Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis, Apres un Reve by Faure, and Ave Maria by Schubert, enchanting a global audience of 1.9 billion people.

Classical Masterpieces:

Kanneh-Mason has an extensive classical repertoire. He has interpreted works by Johann Sebastian Bach, particularly the Cello Suites, and Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto. He has also performed Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto and Sergei Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante. Kanneh-Mason's interpretations showcase his technical brilliance and profound emotional connection to the music.

Contemporary Works:

In addition to classical pieces, Kanneh-Mason embraces contemporary compositions. He has performed Bob Marley's music and included it in his first album, "Inspiration." Kanneh-Mason's eclectic taste is further reflected in his latest album, "Song," which features a Welsh folk song, Myfanwy, and a bluesy jazz ballad, Cry Me A River.

Collaborative Ventures:

Kanneh-Mason often collaborates with his equally talented siblings, who are also accomplished musicians. He frequently performs with his sister, Isata, on the piano, and his brother, Braimah, a violinist who has toured with the English electronic band Clean Bandit. The Kanneh-Mason siblings have toured together, showcasing works by Schubert, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, and Gershwin.

Educational Initiatives:

Beyond his performances, Kanneh-Mason is dedicated to music education and inspiring young musicians. He has expressed a desire to serve as an inspiration for musicians younger than him and to increase diversity in classical music. Kanneh-Mason recognizes the importance of representation and aims to give young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, role models to aspire to.

Future Endeavors:

Kanneh-Mason continues to pursue new projects and collaborations. He has released new albums, such as "Song," and embarked on international tours, including one in Australia. He also plans to perform Bach's cello suites in the future when he feels he has something unique to say through these masterpieces.

Meghan Markle's phone call to Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Meghan Markle personally called Sheku Kanneh-Mason to ask him to perform at her wedding to Prince Harry. The 19-year-old cellist was thrilled to be invited and tweeted:

> "I'm so excited and honoured to perform at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. I was bowled over when Ms Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and of course I immediately said yes!!! What a privilege. I can't wait!"

Sheku had previously played for Prince Harry at a fundraising event for the Antiguan charity the Halo Foundation, and Harry was so impressed that he told Sheku to expect a call from Meghan. Sheku later said that he might not have picked up the phone if Harry hadn't warned him!

Sheku performed three pieces during the signing of the register: Sicilienne by von Paradis, Schubert's Ave Maria, and Après Un Rêve by Fauré. He wore a black Paul Smith suit with a vibrant pink tie.

Sheku's performance stunned guests at the ceremony and the billions watching around the world. He described the experience as "an awesome moment" and said, "I'm proud to have played a small part in the celebrations. It's a day I will remember for the rest of my life."

Sheku Kanneh-Mason's career

Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist who has performed in prestigious venues around the world, including Windsor Castle, the Royal Albert Hall, and NPR's headquarters. He is known for his eclectic repertoire, encompassing classical, folk, and pop music. Kanneh-Mason's career began at a young age when he developed a passion for the cello at six years old. He went on to win the BBC Young Musician award in 2016, becoming the first Black musician to receive this honour since its inception in 1978.

Kanneh-Mason's talent and reputation continued to grow, and in 2018, he performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, captivating a global audience of nearly two billion viewers. That same year, he released his first full-length album, "Inspiration," which debuted at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart and topped the UK classical albums chart. Kanneh-Mason's subsequent albums, "Elgar" (2020) and "Song" (2022), further solidified his success, with "Elgar" reaching number 8 on the UK Official Album Chart and "Song" showcasing his lyrical playing and collaborations.

In addition to his solo endeavours, Kanneh-Mason frequently collaborates with his siblings, who are also accomplished musicians. They have appeared together at the Bafta awards, the Royal Variety Show, and the BBC Proms. Kanneh-Mason is also dedicated to music education and has been an ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Future Talent, and Music Masters. He was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year's Honours List, recognising his outstanding contributions to music.

Kanneh-Mason's talent and dedication to his craft have earned him numerous accolades and a global following. He performs with renowned orchestras and in prestigious venues, sharing his love of music and inspiring audiences worldwide.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason's family

The Kanneh-Masons are a musical family based in Nottingham, UK. The parents, Stuart Mason and Dr Kadiatu Kanneh, have seven children, all of whom are musicians. The children, ranging in age from 27 to 13 years old, are Isata, Braimah, Sheku, Konya, Jeneba, Aminata and Mariatu.

The father, Stuart Mason, is a business manager or executive. His family is from Antigua and he is of Antiguan descent. The mother, Dr Kadiatu Kanneh, is a former lecturer at the University of Birmingham. She was born in Sierra Leone and moved to Wales as a young girl. Both parents played musical instruments in their childhood but never pursued music professionally.

The seven siblings have all achieved success in the world of music. Sheku, a cellist, rose to fame when he won the BBC Young Musician award in 2016, becoming the first Black musician to do so. He achieved global recognition when he performed at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) in 2018. He has since released two albums and performed at the BAFTA awards and the Royal Variety Performance.

The other siblings are also accomplished musicians. Isata, the eldest, is a pianist who has signed to Decca Classics and released a debut recording of piano works by Clara Schumann. Braimah, who often performs in a trio with Isata and Sheku, is a violinist and a member of the Chineke! Orchestra. Konya is a pianist and violinist, currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music. Jeneba is a pianist and cellist, studying at the Royal College of Music. She has signed to Sony Classical and is set to release her first recital album in 2025. Aminata is a violinist and pianist, having achieved Grade 8 Distinction in both instruments. Mariatu, the youngest, is a cellist and pianist, having achieved Grade 8 Distinction in both instruments as well.

The entire family has performed together on several occasions, including on Britain's Got Talent in 2015 and at the Royal Variety Performance in 2019. They also recorded their first album as a family, titled "Carnival", which was released in 2020.

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