Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

March 9, 1939 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Rohan de Saram is a renowned cellist and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on March 9, 1939, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, de Saram was raised in a family of musicians. His father, a violinist, and his mother, a pianist, instilled in him a love for music from a young age. De Saram began his musical training at the age of four, studying the piano with his mother. However, he soon switched to the cello, which became his primary instrument. He received his early training in Sri Lanka before moving to England in 1951 to continue his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. De Saram's talent as a cellist was quickly recognized, and he began performing professionally while still a student. In 1960, he joined the London Symphony Orchestra, where he played for several years before embarking on a solo career. Throughout his career, de Saram has been known for his virtuosic playing and his willingness to take risks and experiment with new forms of music. He has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including the composer John Cage, the jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman, and the Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar. One of de Saram's most notable performances was his 1971 debut at the Proms, the annual series of classical music concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He performed the cello concerto by the British composer Benjamin Britten, which was written specifically for him. The performance was widely praised, and de Saram became known as one of the leading cellists of his generation. De Saram has also been recognized for his contributions to contemporary music. In addition to his collaborations with Cage and Coleman, he has worked with many other composers, including Brian Ferneyhough, Iannis Xenakis, and György Ligeti. He has premiered numerous works written specifically for him, and has been a champion of new music throughout his career. In addition to his work as a performer, de Saram is also a composer. He has written works for solo cello, as well as chamber music and orchestral pieces. His compositions are known for their complexity and their incorporation of elements from a wide range of musical traditions. De Saram has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1999, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the government of Sri Lanka in recognition of his contributions to music. He has also been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, one of the highest honors in Indian classical music, and the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist Award. Despite his many accomplishments, de Saram remains committed to pushing the boundaries of classical music and exploring new forms of expression. He continues to perform and compose, and his work continues to inspire and challenge audiences around the world.

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