Classical meets pop-rock with 2Cellos

MANILA, Philippines - If you think classical and pop-rock music make for strange bedfellows, think again. And whatever lines there are, dividing the two, seem to blur what with such talents as the Croatian duo 2Cellos.

2Cellos, consisting of cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, are being hailed by critics as the new poster boys of classical and crossover music.

It all started when, exactly a year ago, they took to YouTube to show a dueling and impassioned interpretation of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal. Their playing rocks real hard you can’t help but head-bang while their cello strings go a-flying. It doesn’t hurt, too, that these guys, both in their early 20s, are as attractive as they are talented.

“We uploaded the video January of last year. That was our first collaboration in that way. The video just went viral and got so many views. So many people saw it, music labels, TV shows, and (big artists like) Elton John. We basically made a breakthrough,” Luka told The STAR in a phone interview from Japan, where they performed in a series of concerts prior to their one-night show here at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila tomorrow (Jan. 20) night at 8.

That video generated more than five million views in less than three months. A very impressed Sir Elton John made them guest artists in his European tour last year. They have also been signed up by the recording label Sony Masterworks and released an album featuring fresh arrangements and cover versions of favorite pop-rock songs.

So, what began as a “crazy vision” to combine forces in an effort to lure music fans to the “great instrument” they’ve been playing since their childhood gave them more than what they expected.  

Luka shared, “We knew we had something attractive and unique, intense and full of energy that people will like. But we didn’t expect we’d get all these offers from just one video. All the best things happened with just one video. We’re really happy.”

The overwhelming response — online and offline — may have come as a surprise to the two, but the attention is nothing but rightfully deserved.

In Croatia, Luka and Stjepan are deemed the brightest young things on the classical stage. Individually, they have notched awards and accolades in prestigious competitions even outside their home country, are mentored by the most esteemed in the field and are educated in the finest institutions (Luka at the acclaimed Royal Academy of Music in London, and Stjepan at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester). With their accomplished backgrounds, it’s inevitable they often get compared and pitted against each other.

But rivals, they’re not. It was easy to tell from their banter on the phone, as they poked fun at each other in between answers about their music.   

“We’re together all the time now so we have to act like friends,” laughingly said Stjepan, who’s a year older than Luka at 25. “(Seriously) we’re really great friends. We have known each other for a very long time.”

 “We also share the same passion and enthusiasm. It is interesting that the moment we joined forces, everything just exploded,” added Luka.

And what they’re truly happy about is how people are taking notice of the unassuming cello, which may not enjoy the high profile of say, the piano or the violin in an orchestra. “Which is a pity because it’s the best instrument,” said Luka. “The range of the cello is so big, it can play as low as the double bass and as high as the violin. It has the perfect shape and its sound is the closest to the human voice.” 

Cellos’ YouTube video of a cover of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal led to a tour with Elton John, shows and TV guestings in Europe and the US, and an album featuring covers of music by U2, Coldplay, Nirvana, among others

By playing pop and rock with the cello only goes to show that “the cello can do anything and you can play anything with cello,” according to Stjepan.

Luka said, “People don’t think of cello as a rock instrument really and we want people to know all the possibilities that the cello can offer. Because in classical, you only use cello in only one aspect, in only one way… the notes written for the cello (are there) for already 200 years, and there isn’t much you can change. Whereas in our arrangements, we can experiment, we can develop new techniques. These are all great music — Michael Jackson, Sting, U2 — it’s all the music we love to listen to before. We just decided to use our energy and virtuosity and make all these arrangements.”

Stjepan said that, contrary to common perception perhaps, just because they’re hardcore classically-trained musicians, it doesn’t mean their musical tastes are confined to that area. “Great music is great music. It doesn’t matter what genre it belongs,” he said. 

Among their main musical influences are “the great classical cellists like Mstislav Rostropovich (Stjepan was among his last students) and the old Russian masters.”

They are also huge fans of rock greats U2, AC/DC and other artists who have long-standing careers in the music business. “I like everyone who manages to last long like the legends. They deserve respect. They still perform so well after so many years, and they still improve and get better,” said Stjepan. 

Because both grew up in very musical families, wherein mother, father, sisters and brothers play instruments, their affair with the cello started when they were kids. “It’s like sports, if you want to be good, you have to sacrifice, train and practice, and so, we didn’t really go out much like other teenagers. We didn’t have a life (laughs). Now, we are still learning how to approach girls, you know, learning what to say, etc., because the practice we’ve had was with our other girl, the cello. If you noticed, it has the shape of a female,” Luka mused.

The two admitted that since hitting it big last year, they barely have free time for recreational pursuits in their hands. Luka said, “When we do, we’d go outing in (nature) since we’re very outdoor guys. I like to swim a lot, while Stjepan likes to take long walks with girls (laughs). He’s the very romantic type. Yes, musicians are romantic.”

2Cellos is also set to record a new album, which will showcase more instruments and exciting collaborations with top artists (as to who they are, that’s something fans should watch out for, said Stjepan).

Meantime, both expressed excitement at their first visit to the Philippines and they hope to meet fans after the show. Their repertoire encompasses pop-rock stuff as well as something classical.

Luka said, “You can expect lots of great music, lots of positive energy, it’s gonna be loud and great, we’re going to rock the house.”

(2Cellos Live in Manila is presented by Gummi Bear Productions. Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph [tel. no. 891-9999]. 2Cellos’ debut album is newly released in the Philippines under Ivory Music & Video and Sony Music.)