Review: Classical Stars: The Kanneh Masons – Perth Theatre & Concert Hall

Perth Theatre and Concert Hall has hosted members of the Kanneh-Mason family before, but this time four of the siblings produced an ambitious and wide-ranging repertoire, showcasing their individual and joint virtuosity.  Due to ongoing recovery from a finger injury, cellist Sheku was unable to perform and so younger sister Mariata replaced him and the programme was changed accordingly.

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Disappointing not to hear Sheku – I think he’s a bit of a favourite in Perth – but what a treat to hear the youngest sibling, Mariatu, who is only 17 and I believe still at school, though – of course – studying cello (and piano)  at Junior Royal Academy of Music.  

The programme was well thought-out and gave each of the siblings the opportunity to take centre stage, as well as to play together.  It was full of classical favourites – Mozart, Haydn, Barber, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, with perhaps lesser-known Falla and an encore of Shostakovich.

Sheku is a bit of a favourite in Perth

It began with Isata and Jeneba playing Mozart’s ‘Sonata in C major for piano four hands K521’.  What a way to start! Sitting side by side on separate piano stools they played almost as one, taking it in turns to be page-turner, depending on who had the free hand. It’s a complex, exciting piece which Mozart himself declared ‘rather difficult’.  Sometimes the two players are required to play separately but more often together in a somewhat aria-like operatic way.  We hear the ‘soprano’ and ‘tenor’ parts throughout. This was the only piece they played together, but each had their turn to either accompany another sibling or play a piece individually.  

Isata’s two Prokofiev pieces in the second half are real crowd pleasers and ‘Prelude in C major Op 12 No 7’ allowed her to show her prowess in agility and accuracy, living up to the piece’s heading of ‘lively and delicate’.  Her ‘Juliet as a Young Girl from Romeo and Juliet Op 75’ is also lively but the central section gave Isata a chance to prove her more elegant, gentle playing style too.

Jeneba’s solo piece, ‘Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major Op. 83’ by Prokofiev is the second of his so-called ‘War Sonatas’ and continues to be a favourite.  Its busy, dissonant start requires some stamina and Jeneba displayed plenty of that, as well as precise staccato as required.  And yet the delicacy of her touch in the beginning and ending of the second movement was quite beautiful. The piece requires a lot of the pianist – huge changes of mood and feeling and Jeneba’s playing stood up to the test.

Oh to be a fly on the wall in the Kanneh-Mason household 

Mariatu appeared to be watching her brother intently when they were on stage together, but when he was absent, she continued to look up to where he had been, so perhaps I was just imagining it.  No matter her age, Mariatu plays with confidence and finesse.  Her Barber’s ‘Cello Sonata Opus 6:  third movement’ was magnificent.  She’s no novice to the stage and that showed.  She appears to absolutely feel every note she plays and whilst Braimah is spell-binding, Mariatu’s playing could break your heart.  Amazing.

And of course they all played together for their encore – of course they did.  And chose Shostakovich’s ‘Romance (from The Gadfly)’.  My heart was broken all over again.  It’s absolutely beautiful in its own right, of course, but played by these fine young musicians – brother and sisters – is something I’ll never forget.  They are astounding.  Individually and collectively.

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Featured Image: The Kanneh-Masons – Perth Theatre Poster

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Classical Stars: The Kanneh Masons played the Gannochy Trust Auditorium, Perth Concert Hall, Perth, on Thursday 18th June 2026. For more information, click here: https://www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com/whats-on/classical-stars-the-kanneh-masons