October 1, 2024
Rainer Eudeikis
Principal Cello
Philip S. Boone Chair
Philip S. Boone Chair
Rainer Eudeikis joined the San Francisco Symphony as Principal Cello in 2022. He was previously principal cello of the Atlanta Symphony and Utah Symphony, and has performed in the same role for the Mainly Mozart Festival and Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Born in Texas and raised in Colorado, he holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and the Curtis Institute of Music.
Do you remember the first concert you played with the San Francisco Symphony?
I do, because it was my trial week in February 2022. It was Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus with Maestro Salonen on the podium. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t stressful, but in a way it was also exciting and gratifying because the huge cello solo in that piece is often found on audition lists, but very rarely actually performed. It was nice to have the opportunity to play it in context.
How did you begin playing the cello?
I started when I was six years old. My mom is a professional clarinetist who grew up in Texas public school band programs but always wished she had played a string instrument. When I reached an age where it was time to start playing something, she planted the idea in my head that I would play with cello. I’m sure it seemed like my idea at the time!
Story continues below...
Do you remember the first concert you played with the San Francisco Symphony?
I do, because it was my trial week in February 2022. It was Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus with Maestro Salonen on the podium. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t stressful, but in a way it was also exciting and gratifying because the huge cello solo in that piece is often found on audition lists, but very rarely actually performed. It was nice to have the opportunity to play it in context.
How did you begin playing the cello?
I started when I was six years old. My mom is a professional clarinetist who grew up in Texas public school band programs but always wished she had played a string instrument. When I reached an age where it was time to start playing something, she planted the idea in my head that I would play with cello. I’m sure it seemed like my idea at the time!
Story continues below...
Did you have any especially influential teachers?
I have had several. My final teacher in high school was Jurgen de Lemos, who was principal of the Colorado Symphony. He had been the youngest member the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein before that, and he studied with many of the most iconic 20th-century cellists including André Navarra, Leonard Rose, and Gregor Piatigorsky. At Indiana University I studied with Eric Kim, who was the principal of the Cincinnati Symphony for 20 years and is my primary mentor. I was also fortunate to work with Carter Brey who is principal cello of the New York Philharmonic, and Richard Aaron, too, who was my undergraduate professor at the University of Michigan. I spoke with or played for all of them in preparation for the audition in San Francisco.
Beyond sitting at the front of the section, what are the responsibilities of the principal cello?
I’m a member of the cello section first and foremost, but my responsibility is to be a leader and to advocate for us all. I facilitate the often unspoken communication from the conductor and other sections to the rest of the cello section, and I do my best to keep everything flowing and in sync.
What is your concert day routine?
It varies, but usually I’m at the hall in a practice room an hour before the show. I like to get in the zone, warm up, and feel at home backstage.
Can you tell us a little about your life outside the Symphony?
I moved here from Atlanta with my wife, our then-13-month-old daughter, and two giant dogs. My wife, Joyce, is also a very fine cellist. Family time keeps us very busy, but we are enjoying gradually getting to know the Bay Area and look forward to making our home here.
I have had several. My final teacher in high school was Jurgen de Lemos, who was principal of the Colorado Symphony. He had been the youngest member the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein before that, and he studied with many of the most iconic 20th-century cellists including André Navarra, Leonard Rose, and Gregor Piatigorsky. At Indiana University I studied with Eric Kim, who was the principal of the Cincinnati Symphony for 20 years and is my primary mentor. I was also fortunate to work with Carter Brey who is principal cello of the New York Philharmonic, and Richard Aaron, too, who was my undergraduate professor at the University of Michigan. I spoke with or played for all of them in preparation for the audition in San Francisco.
Beyond sitting at the front of the section, what are the responsibilities of the principal cello?
I’m a member of the cello section first and foremost, but my responsibility is to be a leader and to advocate for us all. I facilitate the often unspoken communication from the conductor and other sections to the rest of the cello section, and I do my best to keep everything flowing and in sync.
What is your concert day routine?
It varies, but usually I’m at the hall in a practice room an hour before the show. I like to get in the zone, warm up, and feel at home backstage.
Can you tell us a little about your life outside the Symphony?
I moved here from Atlanta with my wife, our then-13-month-old daughter, and two giant dogs. My wife, Joyce, is also a very fine cellist. Family time keeps us very busy, but we are enjoying gradually getting to know the Bay Area and look forward to making our home here.
