Player Portrait

David Socolofsky

Cello

First season with the Oregon Symphony:

1969-1970

Most influential teacher(s):

Both my first teacher, Ernest Otto, who taught and performed throughout southern New Jersey, and Elsa Hilger, the renowned assistant principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra during the Ormandy years. Both teachers provided a positive and challenging environment in which to learn and grow quickly through grade school and high school.

Earliest musical memory:

Though not my earliest musical memory, my fondest musical memory involved my participation, along with that of my mother, a prominent violist, teacher and conductor in New Jersey, in the American Symphony Orchestra League conducting workshop orchestras during the summers of my high school and college years. Playing five hours per day in an orchestra comprised of many professional musicians gave me the opportunity to learn most of the major orchestral repertoire by the time I had graduated from Oberlin College. The greatest thrill during those years was the opportunity to play Richard Strauss tone poems under the direction of Dr. Richard Lert, an outstanding German conductor of the "old school," who used to tell us about his experiences and interaction with Richard Strauss.

Favorite composer and/or period?

It is difficult to label any composer as a favorite, since there is so much great classical music, such as the Richard Strauss tone poems, Brahms, Schumann, Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich symphonies and concertos, Bruckner and Prokofiev symphonies and Brahms and Bruckner choral works.

What does this photograph say about your life?

I have a very busy life! Though not selling real estate, my ownership of a residential real estate company allows me to broaden my experiences in another field in addition to music.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

The excitement and satisfaction of playing great music.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the Oregon Symphony?

The opportunity to make music with many fine musicians, conductors and soloists.

Player Portrait