Birth

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December 6, 1969 in Oklahoma City, OK

 

Robert deMaine is a renowned cellist who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on October 8, 1972, in Plattsburgh, New York, deMaine grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, deMaine showed a keen interest in music and began playing the cello at the age of four. DeMaine's family moved to Los Angeles when he was six years old, and he continued his musical education there. He studied with Eleonore Schoenfeld at the University of Southern California and later with Lynn Harrell at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. DeMaine's talent as a cellist was evident from an early age, and he quickly began to make a name for himself in the classical music world. In 1990, he won the Grand Prize at the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Spotlight Awards, which is a prestigious competition for young musicians. This win helped to launch his career, and he began to receive invitations to perform with major orchestras around the world. One of deMaine's most notable performances was his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1991. He performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto under the baton of conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, and the performance was met with critical acclaim. This performance helped to establish deMaine as one of the leading cellists of his generation. DeMaine has since gone on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Leonard Slatkin, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Zubin Mehta. In addition to his work as a soloist, deMaine is also an accomplished chamber musician. He has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet, the Guarneri String Quartet, and the Tokyo String Quartet. He is also a founding member of the Ehnes Quartet, which is a critically acclaimed string quartet that has performed around the world. DeMaine's talent as a cellist has been recognized with many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1994, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is one of the most prestigious awards for young musicians in the United States. He was also a recipient of the Pro Musicis International Award in 1998, which recognizes musicians who use their talents to benefit society. In addition to his work as a performer, deMaine is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at many of the world's leading music schools, including the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and the Colburn School. He is currently the principal cellist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. DeMaine's recordings have also received critical acclaim. He has recorded for many of the world's leading record labels, including Naxos, Delos, and Sony Classical. His recordings have received numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination for his recording of the Barber Cello Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In addition to his work as a cellist, deMaine is also a composer. He has written works for solo cello, chamber ensembles, and orchestra.

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