It has long been popular to infuse pop with classical themes but lately we've begun to see the reverse: classical musicians taking up modern influences. At the top of this trend have risen 2Cellos. Croatian team Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser were discovered online by Sir Elton John and subsequently signed to Sony Masterworks. Their self-titled debut album featured compositions by Kings Of Leon, Trent Reznor, Guns N' Roses, U2, and Michael Jackson, and their rendition of the latter's "Smooth Criminal" lead to a guest starring spot on Fox's Glee. 2Cellos' latest album IN2ITION brings back the fusion. And with it they've brought their inspirations to guest star. Sir Elton makes is on the opening track, along with pianist Lang Lang and vocalists Maya Rivera and Italian singer Zuccharo. And the songs are no less pop-derived than their last effort. Steve Vai joins the guys for a composition of AC/DCs "Highway to Hell." They take a pass at "Every Breath You Take," and even add their own unique flavor to their discoverer's hit "Candle in the Wind."

Internet sensations, 2CELLOS, the cello duo of Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, have beat the sophomore jinx with the release of their second album. Since gaining fame through a series of viral videos of the dynamic pair playing high-energy contemporary pop songs on cellos, 2CELLOS has teamed up with many big-name stars on IN2ITION (Sony). Joining the group on the album are Elton John, Glee's Naya Rivera, guitar-god Steve Vai, Italian rock singer Zucchero, and classical superstar pianist Lang Lang. The new album offers a fresh twist on such pop classics as Fleetwood Mac's "Oh, Well" (with Elton John), the Prodigy's "Voodoo People," Coldplay's "Clocks" (with Lang Lang), Rihanna's "We Found Love,"  Muse's "Supermassive Black Hole" (with Naya Rivera), Cher and Nancy Sinatra's "Bang  Bang" (with Sky Ferreira), the Police's "Every Breath You Take," and Elton John's "Candle in the Wind." The album's first music video is the group's searing rendition of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," with guitar shredder Steve Vai.  "Our fans love this song at our live shows and we really wanted to add it to the album," Hauser says. Adds Sulic: "It was very exciting to work with an amazing musician such as Steve and we really want to show the people that the cello can rock as hard as the guitar!"
Greg Cahill http://www.allthingsstrings.com/index.php/News/News/2CELLOS-Release-Sophomore-CD

With one music video on YouTube, 2Cellos became a hit practically overnight. Their music video of Micheal Jackson's Smooth Criminal earned over three million views in the first two weeks when it was posted. Stjephan Hauser and Luka Sulic were prompted by their finacial difficulties to create the music video. A friend of Hauser's, and director of the video, suggested playing something from the pop music market.

As a result of 2Cellos' success, Elton John personally asked 2Cellos' Sulic if they wanted to join him on his summer tour. They later performed with him at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. Most recently 2Cellos played at the Peace One Day concert at the Wembley Arena, which also featured Elton John and James Morrison.

2Cellos became famous to pop culture thanks to their music video of Smooth Criminal but that does not mean they will leave their classical roots behind. The dou say they will still play in orchestras and have no intention of abandoning classical music. 2Cellos wish they can some day go on tour with both a classical and contemporary orchestra.

They're back and here to support! 2Cellos is coming to tour the U.S. with their partner in music, Elton John. The tour starts on September 11 at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson Mississippi. 2Cellos will travel with Elton John through 5 cities then head back to the U.K. for the Peace One Day Concert. After that they will return to the U.S for a show at the Historic Fox Theathre in Redwood City, CA. I can't wait to see those bows fly!