Fort Lauderdale Magazine: You made a name for yourself with your cello artistry and introduced Mozart and Chopin to pop culture. This is an amazing feat.
STJEPAN HAUSER: It’s amazing! This has always been my dream to introduce the masses to the cello. I always felt that everyone loved classical music. It was just never presented to them in the right way. I decided to create this revolution to introduce these great composers and pieces to the masses and to new generations. I’m so happy that I managed to pull it off. It’s crazy. I cannot believe it myself.
FLMag: It’s a dream come true for you. You had all that classical training that you put to use, obviously, with the 2Cellos. You’ve been performing together as a duet for 10 years with Luca [Šulić].
HAUSER: For many years, I was focused only on classical music. For 25 years I was only training. It was very hard work and discipline — master classes, competitions, studying like a nerd. Then, I decided to become like a rock star for the last 10 years.
FLMag: What a good base for you — if you didn’t have that classical background, you wouldn’t be where you are today.
HAUSER: Yes, and I’m so happy I’ve got to experience all these different worlds. My life is now so diverse. I’m classical, I’m a rock star, a romantic — all different styles combined into one night. And this is what makes it very unique and special.
FLMag: The cello is not a very common instrument. Is it popular in Croatia?
HAUSER: No, I was really lucky to grow up with parents who were listening to classical music — I was surrounded by the best music. I was listening to all those composers since I was a baby. Mozart, Beethoven, Bach…I was so lucky! Then I heard the cello on the radio one day and I was like, “Wow, what is this? I love the sound.” It was destiny. Thank God my family was into art and classical music.
FLMag: So were you self-taught?
HAUSER: No, then we tried to find a cello teacher. My mom was very involved to find a teacher and get them to our hometown. I was also bullied in school because everyone wanted to be a futbol player. I was different, you know? I wanted to play an instrument.
FLMag: You were with the 2Cellos for 10 years. So after playing classical for a decade, how did you get into Michael Jackson, of all people? It was an amazing crossover for you. To go from one extreme to another.
HAUSER: Yes, we were always aware that the cello was capable of doing so many things. We were always playing classical music that we loved passionately. We were also criticized because there are strict rules of how you are supposed to play something. But we were rebellious, we were young and we played with so much adrenaline. We wanted to show the power of the cello to the world. We wanted to make something crazy, exciting and to show kids to play the cello is cool. Actually, at the time, I didn’t know anything else apart from classical music and the name that came to mind was “Michael Jackson” [laughs]. I looked it up and searched and the first song that came up was “Smooth Criminal” and I already had an idea. It was crazy. It all happened so quickly.
FLMag: So you didn’t know of that song until you looked it up?
HAUSER: No, I was focused on classical music for 25 years. Then, I started discovering [other musicians]. For everyone [else], it was normal. But for us, it was new. That was the fun part.
FLMag: But classical is what gave you the education and the musical know-how. I don’t know if anything prepares you better for life than classical.
HAUSER: That is why it was so easy for us. Because we were so disciplined. We were focused so much all these years. We [had] already learned how to work hard and how to be disciplined and how to be responsible. We entered show business with this mindset, which was very good and very healthy. We were totally focused and that was our approach. This is how we managed to grow so fast and so quickly.
FLMag: The arrangement of “Smooth Criminal” changed your life.
HAUSER: We didn’t even arrange it. We just took the cello and played. It was natural. We didn’t even write it down.
FLMag: That’s a talent that not many people can say they have. Is it true that Elton John played a major part in your career?
HAUSER: Yes, so when the “Smooth Criminal” video went viral, we started getting calls from labels, TV shows and from Elton himself. We were like, “Wow, can you believe it?” Yesterday we were two student cellists and now we are on tour with Elton John all over the world. It was amazing because we were thrown into this show business and we had to adapt quickly and learn.
FLMag: But did it take a lot for you to adapt after playing classical for so long? I’m sure it came pretty natural for you.
HAUSER: Yes, but it was a stressful period because we only had one song — “Smooth Criminal.” We quickly had to create an album, come up with new arrangements and new ideas. At the same time, we were touring and doing interviews. It was like so many things happening at the same time. Mind-blowing.
FLMag: You have collaborated with many artists and you played alongside The London Symphony. This must have been a dream come true.
HAUSER: Wow, yeah, it was a real dream. It’s the world’s best orchestra. As students, we couldn’t imagine playing with them one day. And this is my second album with them! This is incredible.
FLMag: You were very fortunate to have made Billboard Top 100, the digital charts and you were also voted “The Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine last year. You’re beyond gifted and have the ability to unify generations of music lovers. Those who didn’t like or are unfamiliar with classical will suddenly love it after listening to you.
HAUSER: Yes, that is my mission.
FLMag: Good for you. You make that cello sing. Because you can always hear voices in the cello. It’s such a multi-faceted instrument.
HAUSER: Yes, that’s true. The cello is my voice.
FLMag: Have you ever been to Fort Lauderdale in the past?
HAUSER: Yes, I was there with 2Cellos. We were on tour. This is my first solo tour and actually this is my first concert on the tour. Everything starts there in your city!
FLMag: Everyone will be excited to see this concert. You’ve taken classical to the new wave and you’re taking it to fans everywhere. Now you’re a big shot in the music industry. What an accomplishment!
HAUSER: Step-by-step since I was a little boy. Woo! We did it!
FLMag: Did you by chance create a name for this type of music? You probably should.
HAUSER: Not really. Let’s create it — help me!
FLMag: So what’s your relationship with classical music today? How do you feel about classical itself?
HAUSER: Classical music will always be my number one. But I don’t really like classical musical performances because they are so boring and they don’t really connect with the audience. They’re stuck with their small vision and world. They don’t see the bigger picture. This was very frustrating. This is why I left and tried to do different things. I am there to play for people. I love people and I want to give them this music. Then they give back this love. It was always an amazing chemistry with the audience. And they [classical musicians] don’t care about the audience. They only care about their stupid rules and that was very frustrating. That’s what I wanted to change. I wanted to create music with passion, charisma, personality and energy. That’s why people reacted the way they did. Because, finally, something happened fresh with classical music that was not boring.
FLMag: Those musicians are very conservative in their playing. You’re bringing a whole new aspect to it, which I’m thrilled about. We have to think of a new name for it though.
HAUSER: We have time until May. [Laughs]
FLMag: Well, congratulations on this new chapter! You deserve it. Your new era as a solo artist.
HAUSER: Thank you!
FLMag: Tell me what we can expect from this concert. Other than high energy.
HAUSER: You can be in the mood for anything because I deliver a classical part, a romantic part, sensual part, disco, dancing crazy Latino part, rock part. So it’s like the history of music in one night. You get the complete experience.
FLMag: I’m sure it will be very energetic with everybody dancing. Will you start with classical?
HAUSER: Yes. Step-by-step it builds up and by the end, everyone is dancing and jumping.
FLMag: Congratulations! I wish you much success in the future.
HAUSER: Thank you!
FLMag: It was a pleasure to conduct this interview, Stjepan.