Stefan Reuss
Instrument: Cello
With the RPO since: 1988
Favorite time of year in Rochester, and why? Actually, I like all seasons and the changes they bring throughout the year. Still, I especially love Fall with its splendor of colors and clean crisp air. Every year I wish it lasted longer.
Hometown: I was born in Fürth, Germany and spent most of my school years in Moers, which is located about 100 miles North of Cologne, near the Rhine river.
Drink or food you're most likely to order at Java's: Tea, most likely Darjeeling
When not performing with the RPO, you can find me... teaching one of my private students at home, rehearsing for an upcoming chamber music concert or spending time with my family.
First music-related memory: Actually, there are several: One of them is a Christmas concert in a large Baroque cathedral, lit by candles (probably thousands of them), featuring chorus, orchestra - in which my parents participated - and the huge Baroque organ. I was probably 4 or 5 years old. Another one is my parents (mother: violin, father: flute) playing chamber music at home with friends.
I decided to be a professional musician when... I realized that I couldn't bear the thought of being a mediocre amateur musician, but also realized that a life without music was not an option.
Favorite travel destination: There are many, but I still enjoy my trips back to the old country, where I was born and where I grew up: Germany
Influential teachers: My first cello teacher, Hilde Houcken in Krefeld, who allowed me to explore my love for the instrument. My first famous/professional teacher, Antonio Janigro at the Robert Schumann Konservatorium in Düsseldorf, who taught me beauty of tone and style as well as the realities of a professional musician. My last teacher, Harvey Shapiro at Juilliard in New York, who taught me the technique I needed to express my musical ideas and gave me the confidence I needed to succeed in the musical profession.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate
What are your other "hidden" talents? I love skiing and hiking.
Do you teach private students? Yes. Currently I have seven students between the ages of 11 and 23.
What other orchestras have you performed with? San Francisco Symphony, Community Orchestras in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Bloomington, Illinois, National Orchestral Association in New York City.
Oddest RPO concert (or rehearsal) memory... was when Bob Bernhard conducted a Mendelssohn symphony in a Philharmonic concert and the fire alarm started. They couldn't stop the alarm, so we played half the symphony with the siren accompaniment and then ended the concert prematurely.
Favorite restaurant in town and why: Rooney's, because the food is wonderful, it is not loud (most of the time) and the atmosphere is nice.
What types of music do you like to listen to? I like the Beatles or Beach Boys, that kind of stuff. Motown is nice, too. Listening to classical music is too much like work.
Do you have a pet? No pets, since we all are allergic to most animals. I would like dogs, since I grew up with Riesenschnautzers (Giant Schnautzers).
The RPO is essential to Rochester because... it is the only organization in town which supplies all kinds of live music on a high level regularly, and participates actively in the cultural life of this city and the region. It also provides educational programs for all age groups.
My favorite part of working in the RPO is... being part of this marvelous sound machine, which inspires my emotions regularly like nothing else.
If someone were visiting Rochester, what would you tell them to go see or do? Of course, go to one of the RPO concerts! Other than that, I would suggest one of the museums in town or go for a boat ride on the Erie Canal.
Biography
Stefan Reuss studied with Antonio Janigro in his native Germany at the Robert Schumann Konservatorium in Düsseldorf and later with Harvey Shapiro at The Juilliard School, where he received his master’s degree. He taught at the University of Northern Iowa and the California Music Center before joining the San Francisco Symphony. He joined the RPO in 1988. Mr. Reuss also enjoys chamber music and is Co-Artistic Director of Chamber Music Rochester, directs a series of Salon Concerts at the Academy of Medicine and is a founding member of the Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble.
Photo: Doug Lyttle
