Giovanni Sollima

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

He comes from a distinguished family of musicians. His father, Heliodorus Sollima (1926-2000) taught as a pianist and composer at the Conservatory of Palermo. With him, Giovanni received his first lessons in composition. After cello studies at the Conservatory of Palermo G. Sollima studied at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart Cello (Antonio Janigro ) and composition ( Milko Kelemen ). Milko Kelemen said of his students: "What a talent, there is only once in a hundred years. "

With his sister, the pianist Donatella Sollima ( b. 1959 ), he formed a successful duo. 1983 Sollima ensemble was founded together with the flutist Luigi Sollima.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Sollima occurs primarily as a performer of his own works to the public. He regularly collaborates with the renowned minimalist Philip Glass. In addition to minimalist influences, it is mainly profound roots in the culture of his homeland that have marked his original, unmistakable style of composition. The use of electronic effects in connection with his cello give his concerts a special flair.