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"I first met Alfia
Nakipbekova in 1991 and even though she was
from a strictly classical background 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". James
Hesford
The word "progressive" was used extensively in
the early 70's to describe a type of rock music
which tried to break away from the confines of
early rock and roll structures and cliches (Progressive
Rock). It used world, jazz and contemporary classical
influences and much more. At its best it produced
great bands and musicians such as Frank Zappa,
Robert Fripp, and even Jimi Hendrix (in a broad
sense). At its worst it was very pretentious.
However it did give rock musicians a licence to
experiment without feeling self concious or inhibited.
Many contempory classical composers today are
aware of this movement and regard it as an influence.
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 Kazahkstan."
Claudius Hillman , Straight No Chaser, 2001
"Cellorhythmics bring the cello into the
twenty first century"
Robert Wyatt - Meltdown Festival South Bank London
2001
Alfia and James use cellos by Starfish
Designs
Alfia
Nakipbekova
James
Hesford
\RADIO SHOWS THAT HAVE
SUPPORTED AND PRESENTED OUR MUSIC.
Charlie Gillett (BBC London Radio) (BBC World
Service)
BBC Radio 3 "Late Junction"
Classic FM "Chilling Cabinet"
Lyric FM (Ireland)
Spectrum Radio
BOWED RADIO
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