British cello legend dies, 85
RIPFriends are reporting the death today of Rohan de Saram, cellist of the trailblazing Arditti Quartet for quarter of a century, from 1979 to 2005. Rohan was 85.
Born in Sheffield to Sri Lankan parents, he studied with Casals and impressed Dmitri Mitropoulos, whio gave him a concerto debut with the New York Philharmonic. Living in London from 1972, he joined the foremost contemporary ensemble, the Arditti Quartet and premiered with them works by Berio, Britten, Bussotti, Cage, Maxwell Davies, Hosokawa, Kagel, Ligeti, Nancarrow, Rihm, Schnittke, Xenakis and more.
His striking good looks often magnetised the eye when the music was a tad… experimental.
fantastic musician, wonderful cellist. He studied also and mainly with Gaspar Cassado. There is a wonderful recording of him as the soloist in Pfitzner’s g major Cello Concerto, which was premiered by Cassado.
Such a lovely man and incredible musician
Rohan played the solo part when I was in the LSSO (Virages by Douglas Young) in 1980. phenomenal cellist. Also struck me as a very thoughtful and modest guy with nothing to be modest about. I recall before one rehearsal outside the hall he stooped down to gaze at a daisy for a long time with absolute attention and concentration. endearing or what?
In his kind and huble way he was one of the few very important cellists of our time. His cello is now quiet but his work with countless composers stays alive in the hands of cellists for generations to come.
humble
A wonderful cellist but did he have to waste his talent playing modern rubbish?
I remember him in an excellent performance of the Dvorak concerts.
Without ‘modern rubbish’ there would be NO such career path as that of Composer. As an amateur music lover, my understanding is that new music has often been rejected when first performed. Not to mention being ignored.
It is no waste to specialize in modern music and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who do — even if we like none of the results. Someone has to find the gold among the dross, or at least look for gold. We can’t tell by staring the printed page, we have to hear. It is always easier to play (and decide to listen to) something already established and liked, and many performers do just that. The Dvorak Cello Concerto is great — but how could anyone know that until Leo Stern took it up?
The musicians who specialize in modern music are the biggest group of optimists on earth.
Ignaz Schuppanzigh (1776-1830) in his time played modern quartet music, and surely played his share of rubbish, but he was also prepared to do the hard (and unrewarding) labor of deciphering the ultra complex and modern quartet writing of one Ludwig van Beethoven (as well as Franz Schubert). No other quartet wanted to, until the Joseph Böhm Quartet took up the late quartets. And we may say, well, of course, it’s the surest of sure bets to investigate and perform the quartets of Beethoven but that was not how that era felt. Violinist Louis Spohr was as informed and well trained a composer as there was in Beethoven’s time. He regarded the late Beethoven quartets as “indecipherable, uncorrected horrors” and would likely have happily termed them rubbish.
I was so fortunate that Rohan simply agreed to recording my main cello works with Claudio Records on reading though them in 2007. He was such an open, friendly and fine man. Always studying and always delving into philosophical issues!
Does anyone know what caused Mr. de Saram’s death? The circumstances under which it occurred? Has there been any investigation, and inquiry into his death? Whether a post mortem was carried out? Did he die at home or in the hospital? Whether he was sufferring from any chronic ailments?
It is quite tragic that the first time the average Sri Lankan hears about much accomplished but comparatively less famed personnel like Rohan de Saram with Sri Lankan origins, is the occassion and news of their passing away. This is the case with me when it comes Rohan de Saram.
Classical music has never been one of my interests though I enjoy quite a range of music genres from metal to rock to reggae to hip hop to pop, from artists ranging from Micheal Jackson, Madonna, and Celine Dion of yesteryear to today’s Rihanna, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift, including popular boy and girl bands; not to mention contraversial ones like Marilyn Manson, and Eminem, among a whole lot of others.
I grew up listening mostly to pop music. Pop Culture and Hollywood movies together were instrumental at least in part shaping my world view .
Closest to classical musicals that I have enjoyed are Amigos Para Siempre, and Don’t Cry for me Argentina – both I believe are still being pop in genre, border opera and ballad.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his immediate family members, other relatives, friends, and many fans he may have left behind.
May he find Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
Elegance, modesty, humility, brilliance, and utmost dedication to the music. A legendary cellist and musician who inspired so many cellists and composers. Am so grateful for his work and life. Eternal Shanti bliss, Mr. de Saram. May your spirit forever dance and smile.
Rohan de Saram was a great and respected cellist profoundly dedicated to contemporary music. Pitiful that Mr. Lebrecht chose to conclude his tribute so ungraciously.
Thank you dear Rohan. With your intense simplicity you managed to enlighten the ears of those who listened to you. Thanks to you, and to the very few like you, the sacred territory of music exists and endures.