2Cellos Review: Performance at Escondido Center for the Arts

2Cellos recently took to the stage at the Escondido Center for the Arts. The cello-playing Croatian duo, consisting of Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, delighted the audience with unique takes on well-known rock and pop songs. From opening with U2’s melodic hit, “Where the Streets Have No Name,”  to closing the show with, “William Tell Overture,”  as an intro into Iron Maiden’s, “Trooper Overture,”  the audience was captivated with the surprising blend of song genres and the contagious enthusiasm of the artists on stage. The Escondido Center was the ideal venue for this performance as it provided an intimate experience for all in attendance.

Prior to teaming up, both men had made names for themselves in the classical music world and were widely regarded as young virtuosos. They were often compared to each other and known as rivals. Stjepan Hauser, 28 years old, had won countless awards and recognitions for his cello performances and had played with the most revered cellists in the world. Luka Sulic, 27 years old, had also won top prizes at international music competitions and had had a number of featured solo performances throughout Europe. Despite being some of the top cello-artists in the world, they struggled to gain mainstream recognition.

In 2011, they teamed up and released a classical album. The album sold poorly and thus, they shifted tactics and tried a cello version of a pop song. They chose Michael Jackon’s, “Smooth Criminal.”  Within weeks, their cello performance of the song went viral and garnered over 7 million YouTube views. This newfound fame led to a contract with Sony Masterworks. In addition to an album, they have released a series of YouTube videos, each garnering millions of views.

AC/DC’s, “Thunderstruck,” Nirvana’s, “Smells like Teen Spirit,” and Guns ‘n Roses, “Welcome to the Jungle,”  were just some of the songs that were given cello-treatment by the duo in San Diego. For fans of classical and rock music alike, 2Cellos’ brand-new spin on classic songs was wonderfully refreshing. Perhaps, nothing was more fittingly metaphorical than their rendition of Rolling Stones’, “Satisfaction,” a song of that some would say reminds us all about the struggle and journey towards greatness that 2Cellos has now fittingly earned.

Check out one of their most popular videos:

And the Smooth Criminal cover: