Invocation Cello Concerto

Invocation is a new cello concerto conceived uniquely as an artistic dialogue between solo cello, dancer, African percussion & chamber orchestra. Composed by Tunde Jegede, the piece has a poetic narrative in seven parts and is drawn from the influences of Yoruba chant and poetry. Invocation is steeped in the concepts and cosmology of the Yoruba Orisha tradition, a religious belief system which is still practised in Nigeria and throughout the African Diaspora in places such as Brazil, Cuba and the USA.

The Western classical influences on the piece include Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and the Kabalevsky and Shostakovich Cello Concertos for their energy, rhythmic drive and treatment of the cello/orchestra form and genre. Invocation was commissioned by Orchestra Live and premiered by Viva Sinfonia and was also recorded for live broadcast by BBC Radio 3 as part of their ‘State of a Nation’ series.

Invocation was commissioned by Orchestra Live and premiered by Matthew Barley, Bode Lawal and Viva Sinfonia, and was recorded by BBC Radio 3 as part of their ‘State of a Nation’ series. It is a cello concerto that was uniquely conceived as an artistic dialogue between solo cello, dance, African percussion and chamber orchestra. Written by the composer, Tunde Jegede, for solo cello, Yoruba dancer and symphony orchestra. It follows the narrative of a hero making a journey to the world beyond to bring back knowledge for his people. It was premiered at the Derby Assemble Rooms by Matthew Barley (Solo cello), Bode Lawal (Dancer/ Choreographer) and Viva Sinfonia conducted by Nicholas Collon.