Hailed by John Williams as “an outstanding cellist and truly dedicated artist,” Emmanuel Feldman is an award-winning cellist, composer and inventor performing in the U.S. and internationally. Described by Gramophone as “an artist who combines communicative urgency with tonal splendor,” Feldman’s recording Our American Roots (Delos) features the cello sonata of Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Walker and his own transcriptions of George Gershwin pieces for cello and piano.

Revolutionizing modern cello playing, Feldman performs standing up using his patented TekStand™ pioneering a sensational new experience for listeners visually and sonically that engages fellow musicians and audiences alike. Feldman’s own cello concerto “Standing Tall” that debuted with the invention of the TekStand™ won a Global Music Award in 2022. For concerts sitting traditionally, he uses his other invention, the TekPin™ vertical endpin used by cellists all around the world. He has partnered with artists/groups including Bobby McFerrin, Lark and Verona String Quartets, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Celebrity Series of Boston, co-founded Duo Cello e Basso and recorded several critically acclaimed CDs with pianist Joy Cline Phinney.  

Awarded recording grants from the Argosy and Thomson Foundations, his cello concerto CD (Thomson and Fussell) on Albany Records earned a Grammy nomination for producer Blanton Alspaugh and was described as “exhilarating in this bracing and confident performance” (N.Y. Times). He teaches at Tufts University and through his innovative “Cello Mastery” program for gifted cellists. He has given masterclasses at the University of Taipei, Indiana University, the Peabody and Heifetz Institutes and is a faculty member of the Sarasota, Trentino and GSIM Music Festivals. For more information, please visit www.emmanuelfeldman.com.

INTERVIEW

How did you get started as a musician?

I grew up in a big musical family with 6 other siblings who all played a string instrument. Although my parents were both professionals in the medical field, they both were also Juilliard trained musicians who loved to have chamber music reading parties at home, so music was constantly all around me! I chose the cello after first trying the French horn, violin and piano.

You’ve played with many other artists and in different genres. Which stand out to you as particular favorites?

I have been blessed to have worked with incredible artists in my career like Leonard Bernstein in college, music festivals and then later when I performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the BSO being another huge influence in my musical life! Also, playing for YoYo Ma on many occasions, collaborations with Bobby McFerrin and several dance companies (Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham), collaborating with legendary pianists including Jorge Bolet, Robert Levin, Jeffrey Kahane and concerts with instrumentalists like Elmar Olivera, Jennifer Frautschi and Paul Neubauer.  My Duo Cello e Basso with my wife and bassist Pascale Delache-Feldman has been an endless source of inspiration and joy where we are constantly pushing the limits of what is possible. I don’t really think of favorites but instead reflect on how unique and awesome these musicians are and that we musicians are privileged to be able join forces to share the universal language and message of music that brings us all together.

You’ve also invented TekStand™ and TekPin™ for cellists. Tell us what they are and how they help musicians.

I am so happy to say the TekPin is in use all over the world, it helps cellists play ergonomically and in total comfort, makes cellos sound more projecting, resonant and have helped cellist with back problems completely heal!

The TekPin has been featured in Strings magazine and the newest model, the Conservatory will be featured in an upcoming article in The Strad magazine. 

The TekStand is in development and will soon be available after I presented it at the 2026 American String Teacher’s Association and Suzuki Convention. Professional cellists were blow away by how incredible it is to play the cello standing in total comfort!  The TekStand is completely portable, totally ergonomic and will revolutionize cello playing in that it gives cellists more visibility on stage, makes the sound prominent in a hall, gives complete freedom of motion to players that translates into total freedom of expression. It allows cellists to join their standing colleagues which is now the newest trend for string quartets, chamber orchestras and works for all kinds of music making. I am excited to present it to the world as soon as it is ready! 

On May 3, you’re going to play Fazil Say’s Never Give Up, which has been described as “an outcry for freedom and peace.” Please tell us about this special piece and the composer, and what they mean to you.

Fazil’s piece is a very special work for me and in today’s world it has taken on even more meaning. Written as a response to the 2015 bombings in Paris and terror attacks in Istanbul, I admire Fazil as a composer with the conviction and courage to speak out with his music to counter the despair and destruction that these events caused. I am a graduate of the Paris Conservatory Superior, am married to my wife who is French and heard directly from friends and family members (my sister lived in Versailles close to Paris at that time) about the sadness and fear that these events brought. Fazil wrote this piece in dedication to French cellist Camille Thomas who has performed the piece around Europe. As musicians, we must take action and say that we will never give up and will commit to bringing positive actions to counteract these attempts to derail peace and divide us as human beings. “Never Give Up” is also very meaningful to me as the concept of not giving up is such a positive message that resonates with my own teaching and mentoring, and also with my own personal struggles as an artist, composer and inventor. To have hope and optimism lead the way forward is a very healing and spiritual way to live and grow in life.

You’ve been a featured soloist with the WPO in previous concerts, and we’re so pleased to have you back. How does it feel to be playing with the WPO again?

I am so excited to join the WPO again for this special concert! What could be better than performing with the WPO musicians who play for the love of music and the thrill of putting together challenging concerts! Maestro Korn is an inspiring conductor who cares so strongly not only for presenting unusual musical gems but also spreads comradery and loves engaging everyone in the orchestra to achieve their own personal and group best.  Every time it has been a very exciting process going from rehearsal to concert. And, where else would you find these unique and incredible musical selections on programs that the WPO presents? Not on your typical subscription concert series that I can tell you! I can’t thank Maestro Korn enough for presenting the Say Concerto and I can’t wait to perform it with the WPO in May!!