Anyone who has witnessed one of Abel Selaocoe's electrifying concerts, knows that for this South-African cellist, the meaning of music reaches far beyond the notes. His compositions transcend genre, time and culture. They speak of identity and home, of origin and connection, in the spirit of the ubuntu philosophy: “You are because I am; I am because you are.”

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Composer Jessie Montgomery combines exhilarating music with a profound social awareness. She writes a new cello concerto for Abel Selaocoe, matching her engagement with his temperament. You’ll also get to discover her lively Coincident Dances and three Separation Songs by her colleague Carlos Simon. This evening of African American masterpieces will be rounded off with Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3.

That spirit flows straight into the Klarafestival theme of this year, taken from the debut album of Selaocoe’s own Bantu Ensemble: Where Is Home? It is an open question with endless answers – especially in the super-diverse city of Brussels, home to 180 nationalities and 100 languages. Our capital is a crossroads, a refuge, a temporary or permanent home for countless individuals, each carrying their own story. Every day, we feel privileged that our festival can take root in such fertile soil.