Giovanni Sollima

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Giovanni Sollima (born October 24, 1962 in Palermo ) is an Italian cellist and composer .

He comes from a respected family of musicians. His father, Eliodoro Sollima (1926–2000) taught as a pianist and composer at the Palermo Conservatory. Giovanni received his first composition lessons from him. After studying cello at the Palermo Conservatory, G. Sollima studied violoncello ( Antonio Janigro ) and composition ( Milko Kelemen ) at the Stuttgart Music Academy . Milko Kelemen said of his pupil: "There is only such a talent once in a hundred years."

With his sister, the pianist Donatella Sollima (* 1959) he formed a successful duo. In 1983 the Sollima Ensemble was founded together with the flautist Luigi Sollima.

In the meantime, Giovanni Sollima appears mainly as an interpreter of his own works. He works regularly with the well-known minimalist Philip Glass . In addition to minimalist influences, it is above all deeply felt roots in the culture of his homeland that have shaped his original, unmistakable style of composition. The use of electronic effects in connection with his cello playing give his concerts a flair of their own.