top of page

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF

 EMIR CELLO

EMIR (fka Alfian Adytia) is an Indonesian composer, cellist and performer living in the Netherlands. Following his exceptional master’s degree graduation in classical music from The Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, Emir embarked on an expansive artistic journey, resulting in the numerous album releases and collaborations with multifaceted art fields. His work is deeply nurtured through his Javanese and Minangkabau cultural heritage, challenging imperial narratives of the West which adds a distinctive layer to his interpretations of both historical and contemporary Western music.

 

Emir has performed on prominent stages, including the Cello Biënnale Amsterdam, Ngayogjazz, Grachtenfestival, Zhang Jia Jie International Country Music Week, Writers Unlimited, Gaudeamus Muziekweek, and Museumnacht, among others. In 2021, he served as the artist-in-residence at the esteemed International Cello Festival Zutphen, where he showcased a diverse set of cello performances and composed a contemporary cello etude commissioned by the festival. In 2022, Emir received prizes at the Calefax Composers Competition in Amsterdam, Bartók World Competition for Composition in Budapest, and was featured in the Spitfire Audio LABS Community Playlist in London. His music has reached diverse audiences, from a grassroots community of young cellists in Yogyakarta to film screenings in Los Angeles and Montreal.

DSC04263a_edited.jpg
©Frutti Noventi & Fuad
©Frutti Noventi & Fuad

CURRENT PROJECTS/WORKS

4_edited.jpg

DECOLMUSEUM
Upcoming album on colonial history & its aftermath.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Een-Javaan-wordt-geinterviewd.png

ONGOING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH 
on sonic archives of modern Indonesia and
Indonesia during colonial Dutch era​​

COLLABORATIONS WITH VARIOUS ART FORMS (2022-present)

VISUAL ART
Sithabile Mlotshwa (Zimbabwe, b. 1975)​
Jennifer Tee (The Netherlands, b. 1973)
Taring Padi (Indonesia, f. 1998)

POETRY/LITERATURE
Sacha Verheij (The Netherlands)
Robin Block (The Netherlands, b. 1980)
Rachmi Diyah Larasati (Indonesia)
Artien Utrecht (Indonesia, b. 1950)
 
THEATER
Anita Poolman (The Netherlands, b. 1951)
Nathalie Smoor (The Netherlands)

FILM
Aram Lee (South Korea, b. 1986)
Akbar Yumni (Indonesia, b. 1975)

PHOTOGRAPHY
Andrea De Angelis (Italy)
Frutti Noventi (Indonesia)
A. Fuad Ridlo (Indonesia)

MENTALISM/HYPNOTISM
Dr. Marc Del Grosso (France)
​​
DANCE
Rachmi Diyah Larasati (Indonesia)
Rahmida Dewi Patmawati (Indonesia)
Nova Burdo-Marseline (Indonesia)
Arnaud Kokosky Deforchaux (Indonesia/The Netherlands)
Jolanda Boejharat (The Netherlands)
Ewa Sikorska (Poland)
Aymeric Aude (France)

©Zsolt Szederkényi

MEDIA COVERAGE

"The most interesting from the non-classical cello world"

- Cello Biennale, 2022

"Easily one of the best concerts I've seen in years! Great atmosphere, great buildups, beautiful cello playing and just such insane energy! I've rarely heard a 7/8 rhythm with such badass swing!"

- Joost van Dongen on live at BIMHUIS, 2022

“As a classical musician, Alfian emphasizes the intricate details and rich traditions of the genre, adding nuance and depth to his performances. He demonstrates his versatility in his performances by effortlessly switching between a wide range of musical genres and eras. His dedication to perfection is unshakable, whether he is interpreting the music of modern composers or the works of traditional masters. Alfian's attention to detail and ability to bring life to every melodic phrase demonstrate his passion to his trade.”

- Viberate

"He has guts in his performance. He dares to tackle difficult pieces. Alfian (Emir) hardly knows any boundaries in his musical thinking. I don’t know what limitations he imposes on himself, but musically it seems as if it is one big field.”

- Den Haag Centraal Net, 2020

Van Indonesische Beat Tot Mozart's Muziekdoosje Het Grachtenfestival Biedt Een Ongekend Rijk Scala

Featured in Framer Framed​

Featured in Kunstinstituut Melly

Indonesische Alfian groeit in Zutphen uit tot Meester

COLLABORATIONS WITH MUSICIANS, GROUP & COMPOSERS (2022-present)

Orkest De Ereprijs
Robin Block, singer-songwriter
Laura Scarborough, pianist/singer-songwriter
Celia Swart, composer
Eef Van Breen Group
Kaan Yazici, music producer
CelloWercken Zutphen

Drechsteden Bachkoor
DYD Angklung Orchestra
Jakarta Sinfonietta
Ade Sinata, cellist

Francesca Vincentie, singer
Marlina Deasy Hartanto, soprano
Bintang Manira Manik, multi-instrumentalist
Gardika Gigih Pradipta, composer-pianist
Alessandro Soccorsi, pianist
Jeroen Den Herder, cellist
Punto Bawono, lutist
Wasis Tanata, drummer
Wim Vos, percussionist
Svetlana Bakushina, pianist-composer​​

©Frutti Noventi & Fuad
©Zsolt Szederkényi
©Zsolt Szederkényi
Sesi Dengar Emir Cello x AMT DSC00012_edited.jpg
  • Black YouTube Icon
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon
  • Spotify
  • Bandcamp
bottom of page