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Coming directly from the man himself — or at least his Twitter account — is this short and sweet statement from Robert deMaine:

“I’m starting as Principal Cello in the Los Angeles Philharmonic officially on May 11. So excited!”

Let me be among the first to congratulate Mr. deMaine and the orchestra on this excellent news.  I am very much looking forward to having the chance to see and hear him full-time in Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.

With a start date of May 11, 2013, it looks like his first subscription concert in his new job will be the May 17 semi-staged production of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro with Music Director Gustavo Dudamel conducting.

UPDATE (10:31am PST):  Mr. deMaine just informed me that he will be joining the orchestra as guest principal in late February “in preparation for the European/NY tour, playing the tour, and then finishing out the season in Detroit (the DSO is playing 2 concerts in Carnegie on May 9 and 10),” before officially beginning his tenure on May 11.

That makes Feb 28 as his next appearance with the LA Phil at WDCH in a program full of meaty cello parts:

• Vivier:  Zipangu
• Debussy:  La Mer
• Stravinsky:  The Firebird (complete)

RELATED POSTS:

• A case of musical ADD: Andsnes and Dudamel headline latest LA Phil concert, but news of deMaine creates the biggest buzz

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Photo credits:

• MadMenYourself picture:  used with the permission of Robert deMaine
• Headshot:  photo by Amy Leang