100 Cellos is an epic project that brings together 100 cellists from diverse nationalities, generations and careers to play music and express freedom of expression to connect the world.
" Cello is the right instrument for group expression.
Cello has a broad pitch range so you can do a lot of different things. It's said to be an instrument that has the closest sound to the human voice. " Giovanni Sollima
100 Cellos is a creative and innovative project where 100 cellists from across countries, generations, careers and genres come together to form an ensemble exuding the level of energy possible only in their performance, led by world-renowned genius cellist Giovanni Sollima, and Enrico Melozzi.
The 100 musicians do not play predetermined scores or assigned parts as musicians in an orchestra typically do. Instead, under Sollima and Melozzi's leadership, they take music to artistic heights by spending a long time together, modifying scores and parts, and giving their input as they are led by free thinking and creative desire. The project has performed a number of times in various locations of Europe, sending the message of music culture that transcends over boundaries.
In August 2019, 100 Cellos will tour Japan for the first time for a performance at Sumida Triphony Hall in Tokyo's Sumida Ward, a cultural center of Tokyo and ancient Japanese capital of Edo. The one hundred cellists will give artistic expression overflowing with creativity that connects Tokyo with the rest of the world ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, led by Sollima and Melozzi's unusual talent.
Story of 100 Cellos
The 100 Cellos project was launched in Rome in 2012 by Giovanni Sollima, an unconventional cello genius known throughout the world's music community, and Enrico Melozzi.
Sollima and Melozzi launched the project to breathe new creative life into Rome's Teatro Valle, a historic theater built in the 18th century that had fallen into disuse.
Teatro Valle dramatically came back to life after artists in theater, music and dance from around Europe occupied it for three years to create performances. The story of the theater's turnaround is now seen as a cultural model and has become a legend in Rome's art culture.
After that, Sollima and Mellozi took the project further, starting with the second concert in 2014 under the slogan of protecting freedom and musical culture, carrying the torch of the spirit of cello maestro Rostropovich who put together a performance of 166 cellists to commemorate 10th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall. The project has since performed in many places, including Milan and Sicily.
Participation to 100 Cellos is open to anyone who plays cello. Not only cellists specialized in classical and baroque styles, rock musicians, retired orchestra members, and music enthusiasts have played in it. Participation is also open to young musicians, students and children. In Europe, the group has become an open place where the world is brought together across boundaries through music by highlighting players from diverse nationalities, including those from Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.
100 Cellos' key past performances
Concert at Teatro Valle, Rome in 2012
Teatro Valle, a historic theater built in the 18th century, was to be demolished under a government policy. Musicians, theatrical companies and artists occupied the facility and continued to protest the decision for several years. Protesters included Peter Brook, a world-renowned theater and film director. Sollima launched 100 Cellos as part of the movement that later became known throughout the world as a model of citizens cultural movement. Attendance reached 15,000.
Concert commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall, Turin, Italy in 2014
Cello maestro Mstislav Rostropovich once put together a concert of 166 cellists commemorating the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, calling for freedom of expression. Carrying the torch of this spirit, 100 Cellos had its second performance in Turin, wishing for preservation of freedom and music culture.
Concert in Budapest, Hungary, in 2014
A concert co-sponsored by the Italian Embassy was held in the Hungarian capital when the then-Italian president inaugurated as European Council president. Attendance reached 10,000.
100 Cellos also performed at festivals and outdoor venues in Italy, including:
Rome, 2013: Performance at San Giovanni square, with attendance reaching 800,000
Milan, 2014: Flash mob-style performance in front of Milan's central station
Ravenna, 2016: The Cellolandia festival, which turned the area into a "celloland" for a week
Como, 2018: Performance at Pieghevole Festival
Abruzzo and Palermo, 2018: Two concerts held just a week apart
Music played by 100 Cellos in the past
100 Cellos' programs have included a wide variety of genres, from classical, baroque and rock to ethnic. Pieces are typically selected, arranged and composed through a creative process involving all 100 cellists.
Classical
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
The grand chorus was reimagined by 100 Cellos, taking advantage of the instrument said to have a sound that resembles the human voice.
Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2
A masterpiece written after the composer was inspired by a trip to Italy.
Bach: Cello Suite No. 3
The well-known suite, which any cellist will have played in their lifetime, performed by 100 players.
Handel: Suite No.11 in D minor ("Sarabande")
The profound piece used in the film Barry Lyndon, played by 100 Cellos, featuring the instrument's low pitch range
Baroque/early music
"Sopra un Partimento di Durante": Work by Durante, a middle-baroque composer; 17/18 century
"Allegro Geminiani": Work by 17th century composer Geminiani
"The Cold Song": A piece from opera King Arthur by 17th century composer Henry Purcell; known also by a version sung by Klaus Nomi
Ethnic music
"Sarabanda": A form of Spanish classical dance from 16th-17th century, which later became an instrumental musici
"Libertango": A tango classic by Astor Piazzollai
"Pizzica Copertino / Indiavolata": An interpretation of tarantella, an ethnic dance from southern Italyi
Rock
Queen: "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Leonard Cohen: "Hallelujah: Canada"
David Bowie: "The Man Who Sold The World"
Pink Floyd: "Another Brick in The Wall"
Prince: "Purple Rain"
Nirvana: "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Other
"The Sound of The Falling Walls": A piece written by Enrico Melozzi for a 100 Cellos concert
"Inno Africa": A piece written by Sollima to support Africa
Inno Nazionale Italiano: Italian national anthem
"Violoncelles, Vibrez!": One of composer Sollima's classics that has been covered by cellists across the globe
The 100 Cellos project was launched in Rome in 2012 by Giovanni Sollima, an unconventional cello genius known throughout the world's music community, and Enrico Melozzi.
