ABEL SELAOCOE WITHDRAWS FROM BRITTEN SINFONIA’S FEBRUARY TOUR, TO BE REPLACED BY GUY JOHNSTON
Britten Sinfonia is touring a programme of Tavener, Beethoven and Bartók in February. Sadly Abel Selaocoe has had to withdraw from these performances due to unforeseen family circumstances. We will miss Abel in his performances of Tavener’s The Protecting Veil, but we are delighted that Guy Johnston is able to step in to replace him. The concert programme remains unchanged.
Guy has a long and deep relationship with The Protecting Veil, having been one of the very few cellists to have worked with Sir John Tavener. He has performed it several times, notably with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and at a Tavener memorial concert in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.
The composer’s widow, Lady Tavener, writes:
“The Protecting Veil took the musical world by storm at its premiere at the 1989 BBC Proms – the breadth of emotion, the extremes of intensity had never been experienced before, breaking musical boundaries with later recording success too. A handful of cellists internationally were able to consult John on how their performance could adapt and take on the challenge of a new sound-world. Guy Johnston was able to absorb John’s vision by this personal contact. He brings that depth and experience with his exquisite playing into 2024 and beyond. Guy Johnston and the Britten Sinfonia: ideal.”
