Isata Kanneh-Mason on being in classical music’s coolest family

by · Australian Financial Review

Michael BaileyArts & Culture editor
Oct 1, 2026 – 5.00am

As the eldest of classical music’s most celebrated group of living siblings, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason’s upcoming recitals in Australia are sure to generate many reviews and social media comments. She won’t be looking at them.

“People are always sceptical of anyone as soon as they know them, that’s just a universal thing, and the way we deal with that is we just don’t read anything,” says Isata, 30. In Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, she will play a program she describes as “darkness into light”, ranging from Beethoven’s haunting Moonlight Sonata to a “shining” contemporary piece called Halo.

Loading...

Save
Log in or Subscribe to save article
Share

Copy link

Copied

EmailLinkedInTwitterFacebook

Copy link

Copied

Share via...
Gift this article

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber? Login

License article

Read More

Michael BaileyArts & Culture editorMichael Bailey is The Australian Financial Review’s Arts & Culture editor, based in Sydney. You can send him encrypted tips on Signal at michaelb2203. Connect with Michael on Facebook and Twitter. Email Michael at m.bailey@nine.com.au

Latest In Arts & Culture

Fetching latest articles