“Wei Yu, 34, a section cellist with the New York Philharmonic since 2007, has been appointed principal with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra,” writes Mark Stryker in Wednesday’s (10/29) Detroit Free Press. “The Shanghai-born Yu begins his tenure in Detroit in January. He replaces Robert deMaine, who, after a decade with the DSO, left in 2013 for the Los Angeles Philharmonic…. Yu’s appointment fills a key vacancy in Detroit, adding a potential new star to the ranks of the ensemble and helping solidify a string section that has been in transition. Concertmaster (first violinist) Yoonshin Song joined in 2012, and principal bassist Kevin Brown joined this fall. The orchestra is still looking to fill its open principal viola and principal second violin positions…. Yu, who has performed at the Marlboro and Ravinia music festivals, began studying the cello at age 4 in his native China and made his formal concerto debut at 11 performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the Shanghai Symphony. His primary teachers include John Kadz, Hans Jorgen Jensen and, while working on his master’s degree at the Juilliard School, David Soyer.” Music Director Leonard Slatkin comments, “Every aspect of his audition with us was spectacular…. His experience, poise and musicianship impressed everyone.”
Posted October 31, 2014
