HACKNEY HAD a thrilling preview of one of this country’s most exciting musical talents when a church hall hosted the teenager who has just won the strings section of Young Musician of the Year 2016.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 17, will take his cello to the Barbican concert hall in the City of London next weekend in his attempt to win the final of the BBC contest, to be declared winner in any instrumental category.

Stoke Newington had the good fortune to hear him play an exclusive concert after his teacher, Dalston musician Ben Davies, arranged for him to perform at St Paul’s church.

The concert was staged to give the cellist performance experience.

With Kanneh-Mason for support were five of his siblings, three of whom also played (grand) piano in the N16 concert.

Four of the family, who live in Nottingham and have been described by music promoter Simon Cowell as possibly the most talented in the world, attend the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone once a week – they nap on the train – and three younger siblings are also learning to play instruments.

Though their parents are crazy about music, they work in non-music professions.

David Altheer 070516

* Backstory: Let us play, says Dalston church; Brainstorm at the Barbican; Buzzy Barbi

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