A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED EDINBURGH FRINGE PERFORMANCE
"The Rise of the Cellorettes" August 2006. Edinburgh College of Arts
Alfia Nakipbekova (Cello, Electric Cello)
James Hesford (Cello, Violin, Harmonica, Banjo, Guitar)
Martin Radford (Cello)
Sergio Laviola (Bass Guitar)
Brett Findlay (Percussion)
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CELLORHYTHMICS ON TOUR - Bollybop Raga
OCTOBER ZERO FOUR Music Video by Chiara Ambrosio.
Influences
John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa, Bartok, Bernard Herman, J.S.Bach, Beach Boys, Freddie King, B.B.King, Stax, Marvin Gay. Prog Rock, Mozart, The Kinks, Jimmy Hendrix, Charlie Parker, Tymon Dogg, Stravinsky, Martinu, Messiaen, James Brown.
We would like to say that we sound like no-one else and of course that is partially true but others have likened us to these people - Kronos Quartet - Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Apocalyptica (although we only do one rock tune) - The Berlin Philharmonic Cellos - Turtle Island String Quartet.
The Herald critic said -
"Cellorhythmics is a kind of liberation society, casting three cellos in up front roles.. they get around the musical landscape, from the Kronos Quartet staking out Western movie theme territory to heavy metal rocking out and folk elements. It is an interesting experiment."
One 4 Review - Edinburgh Fringe 2006
".. a dramatic brand of music drawn from a variety of musical backgrounds. They comprise 3 cellos, percussion and bass guitar with a little bit of harmonica, violin and banjo from one of the cellists. This unusual combination provides a rich melodic sound backed by the percussion and bass guitar to give a driving beat to their jazz/funk numbers. They take their influences from Irish jigs, Oriental, Indian and Latin sources. The Cellorhythmics perform an unusual and enjoyable range of music with panache."
"Alfia Nakipbekova, disciple of Rostropovich, the actress and virtuoso… her playing astounded the festival audiences. She seemed to be dancing, totally at one with her electric cello, looking like a Dali painting… sensational premiere." Evening Moscow.
"a remarkable, stimulating and brilliantly played recital of contemporary chamber music that is brimming with vitality...gutsy virtuosity" Musician
"unique music.." Daily Mail
"awe-inspiring.." The Irish Times
"phenomenal energy on the cello..." The Arts on Friday, Melbourne
“ Cellorhythmics bring the cello into 21st century.” Robert Wyatt, Meltdown Festival, London
"Intense and joyous..." Charlie Gillett, BBC London Interview
"Cellorhythmics electrifies the Festival ..."Le Courier Picard Beauvais Festival 2002
Latest CD Review December 06
"Heaven Eyes"
"From the extremely skillful duo James Hesford and
Alfia Nakipbekova, this contains part of a dramatic
interpretation of David Almond's novel. Progressive and invigorating the pair take the cello
into uncharted areas, amalgamating Eastern strings with
bluesy harmonica and cinematic percussion.
Brave and brilliant."
Musician Magazine
Cellorhythmics CD's - "Invasion","Rise of the Cellorettes" and "Heaven Eyes" are now available on itunes.
Cellorhythmics Acoustic Project gratefully acknowledges financial support from the PRS Foundation for new music.
CAP (Cellorhythmics Acoustic Project) presents:
WCM (Working Classical Music) Orchestra.
Following the success of the last series of performances – collecting found musicians and playing original music by award winning composer/multi instrumentalist James Hesford, based on found objects – Cellorhythmics Acoustic Project (CAP) will now move into its 2nd stage - the WCM Orchestra featuring 10 outstanding players from diverse musical backgrounds: jazz, contemporary classical, experimental art pop/rock, soul and world.
It will continue its musical journey developing its unique style of driving beats and idiosyncratic harmony, giving ample space to performers to express their individual improvisational ideas within tightly structured compositions. James Hesford will continue to present a new work for each performance throughout the year.
Musicians include: James Hesford – cello, violin, guitar, Alfia Nakipebekova – cello, Martin Radford – cello, Sergio Laviola – guitar/bass, Marc Layton-Bennet – percussion, Neville Murray – percussion, Brett Findlay – percussion, Mikey Kirkpatrick – flutes, Aidan McConville – horn, Josie Simmons – saxophones and flutes, Carolyn Rawlins – piano, The Angels of Kaos – mixed choir.
WCM Orchestra at The Nave - Odd Socks Octet
BAC PERFORMANCE - "JOSIE'S TIN WHISTLE"
JUGGLE - Alfia Nakipbekova with Marc Layton-Bennett
CELLATINA - performance at Vortex, London
CELLORHYTHMICS AT BAC - GRANDE FINALE, 15TH MAY 2008
with Marc Layton-Bennett, Neville Murray, Mickey Kirkpatrick, Josie Simmons.
"Clocktower"
CELLORHYTHMICS ARE THE FORERUNNERS OF THE NON CLASSICAL CELLO MOVEMENT...
AWARD WINNING COMPOSER/JAZZ CELLIST JAMES HESFORD: "I first met ALFIA NAKIPBEKOVA in 1991 and even though she was from a strictly classical background (Moscow Conservatoire. where she studied with MSTISLAV ROSTROPOVICH), and I had spent most of my life as a jazz guitarist with strong roots in soul and blues, we had an instant rapport. I began writing cello music for her and in 1996 we decided to form Cellorhythmics. The concept of the music was allowed to grow organically and soon took on a life of its own. It became obvious that this was not "crossover music" and defies a single category so we choose to call it "PROGRESSIVE CHAMBER MUSIC".
When I started to compose for Cellorhythmics I decided to write from the perspective of a musician whose roots were soul music, rock, funk and jazz thus allowing me to concentrate on the rhythmic elements of these jenres in a chamber music context - hence, Progressive Chamber Music, I feel is a good way to describe what we do.
"The art of two cellos, creatively manipulated to break this instrument free from its classically perceived confines, is the Cellorthythmics. James Hesford and Alfia Nakipbekova, South Yorkshire meets Central Kazakhstan."
Claudius Hillman , Straight No Chaser, 2001
"Cellorhythmics bring the cello into the twenty first century"
Robert Wyatt - Meltdown Festival South Bank London 2001.
"This (Cellorhythmics) is the most exciting group I ever heard in the last seventy years."
Jane Le Tousel (musician). " Ecstatic, transformed, cool, happy, silly, blissful." Brita Forsstrom. BAC audience feedback May 2004
"Fierce and beautiful performance" Mariana Katzarova, RAW in WAR: Anna Politkovskaya Award event, October 2007.
The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. Please to meet you CelloRhytmics >>-----> LOVE sent to you. Again thank you for such a brilliant performance @Power Down. x xX X Angela
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