Various Composers - for cello, by cellists (Ben Michaels)

Information

• Jakob Kullberg - Single the Sky - A Fever Dream
• Laura Moody - Mandala
• Ayanna Witter-Johnson - Amethyst Sings
• Zoë Martlew - Inila
• Kit Downes - Kasei Valles
• Colin Alexander - Towards the Flame

Ben Michaels, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Delphian Records

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In his debut solo album, cellist Ben Michaels presents six newly commissioned works by fellow cellists: Jakob Kullberg, Laura Moody, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Zoë Martlew, Kit Downes, and Colin Alexander. As multi-faceted artists, improvisers, and composers, these contributors offer distinct perspectives that expand the cello's conventional boundaries. The resulting compositions encompass a dynamic range of styles, blending delicate whispered textures and lyrical melodies with choreographed movement and innovative sonorities. Grounded in a deep, intimate understanding of the instrument's physical qualities, this multifaceted collection offers a compelling portrait of the modern cello's expanding expressive and technical capabilities in the twenty-first century.

London-based British cellist Ben Michaels maintains a versatile career spanning historical, modern, and prepared instruments. He performs regularly with premier ensembles, including The English Concert, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Simon Rattle, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under András Schiff, and the London Sinfonietta. A dedicated advocate for contemporary repertoire, Michaels released his debut solo album with Delphian Records in 2026, featuring six commissioned works by cellist-composers. Supported by the British Cello Society’s Keith Harvey Award, this project earned him a spot as a Gramophone "one to watch" and a seat on the society's executive board. A Royal Academy of Music alumnus taught early on by his father, Joel, Michaels plays a Gaetano Gadda cello generously on loan from an anonymous benefactor.

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