Dear friends,
It’s been an amazing kickoff to this new season, and I want to share two things with you: a new live video, and two very different concerts at the Cello Biënnale Amsterdam in a few days.
🎥 NEW LIVE VIDEO
The Fall of a Confused Empire (Live at Zeeheldenfestival 2026)
Photo by Albert Stevanus
This video was filmed live at Zeeheldenfestival, July 10th ago. We open it with the introduction of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. A cello masterpiece that foreshadowing the horror of World War 1 leads into a song about an empire losing its grip and the people taking over control. That contrast is the point.
This is the trio as it really sounds on stage: loud, raw, and played with everything we have.
▶️ Watch it here: https://youtu.be/y6Bjj8z49rI
EMIR CELLO are:
Alfian Emir Adytia – lead vocal, amplified cello
Kaan Yazici – electric bass, supporting vocal, audio
Sander van Elferen – drums, percussion
🎶 Music and lyrics by Alfian Emir Adytia
🔊 Live audio mixed and produced by Kaan Yazici
🎥 Filmed by Jort Klarenbeek and Niels van der Kraaij
🔥 SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER
Emir Cello, Decolmuseum + Historical Archival Films
BIMHUIS, Amsterdam · 22:00
Photo by Andrea de Angelis
We close CELLOFEST 1 November evening with the full concert version of Decolmuseum. It tells the collective memory in Indonesia’s journey towards independence, and of the moment I stopped trying to fit into a single genre. Indonesian folk sounds meet progressive rock and metal. For this show we’ll play with new film projections: images and archival footage from Indonesia before 1945 and current times so you can experience the connecting dots.
If you’re coming to both 2 concerts that night, the combined ticket gives you 25% off.
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.cellobiennale.nl/en/voorstellingen/emir-cello-1bvr
🌕 WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Gamelan and Indian Cello
Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Grote Zaal, Amsterdam · 14:00
Photo by Maarten Bauer
This one is completely different. I’ll be on stage with the Global Gongs Collectief, Sinta Wullur’s gamelan ensemble, and Indian cellist Saskia Rao-de Haas. Cello Biënnale commissioned new piece dedicated for this concert. I wrote a new work ‘Ganda Concerto’ for Indonesian cello, Indian cello and Chromatic Gamelan Ensemble. The program also includes new pieces by Saskia Rao-de Haas, Sinta Wullur, Maarten Bauer and Paul Schauenburg. Expect gamelan, raga and contemporary music meeting in the same room.
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.cellobiennale.nl/en/voorstellingen/gamelan-and-indian-cello-r9p7
🛍️ MERCH ALL FESTIVAL LONG
29 October – 7 November, Cello Biënnale, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
For the whole Cello Biënnale, our merch will be at the Bruno Klassiek desk in the main foyer. Bruno Klassiek is the festival’s official retail partner.
There are new items this time: hoodies, t-shirts and socks, along with LPs and CDs. You don’t need a ticket for our shows to pick something up. Just stop by the desk whenever you’re at the festival.
Every piece you buy goes straight back into making new music!
One night a rock stage, a few days later gamelan. Both are honest parts of who I am, and both come from the same roots.
Come and listen. Bring someone who needs to hear it. If you can’t make it, watching and sharing the video helps more than you might think.
See you in Amsterdam,
EMIR CELLO
Alfian Emir Adytia
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