Meet the Musician: Principal Cello Wei Yu

Ahead of Wei Yu's featured performance on April 11–13, learn more about the DSO's Principal Cello.

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As a young child growing up in Shanghai, Wei Yu fondly remembers his first encounter with Yo-Yo Ma: “I pointed to my parents and grandparents and said, ‘I want to be just like him!’ He was so mesmerizing. His persona, his chemistry had a huge impact on me.”

Fast forward two decades and Yu was sharing the stage with his childhood idol in his first concert with the New York Philharmonic—where he served in the cello section for seven seasons. Now as DSO Principal Cello, Yu performed with Ma again in 2023 for the orchestra’s Opening Night Gala—a full circle moment.

Yu’s tenure with the DSO has been marked by a confluence of exceptional talent, profound camaraderie, and remarkable music making. Fast approaching a decade of service, he has been a member of the orchestra since 2015, appointed by then-Music Director Leonard Slatkin.

Among Yu’s most treasured memories with the DSO are performances of Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote in May 2022, conducted by Music Director Jader Bignamini. “This work features both a virtuoso solo cello and a virtuoso solo viola part played by my dear colleague, Principal Viola Eric Nowlin,” said Yu. “Don Quixote is a piece on the top of my to-do list, and this was a high point in my musical career,” he continued. “There is a great dialogue between the instruments and a lot of layers to the cello part. When I approach the piece, I go down deeper and explore more possibility, colors, and expressions.”

In April, Detroit audiences will enjoy his interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme conducted by Shiyeon Sung at Orchestra Hall. “Although it is only 18 minutes in length, it illustrates a perfect combination of both virtuosity and warm lyricism,” said Yu. “The work wonderfully showcases the cello as an important solo instrument, and I can’t wait to share it with our audiences.”

This season, Yu’s passion for music education was on full display in February as he lent his talent to the DSO’s Civic Youth Ensembles, performing as soloist with the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra (DSYO) directed by DSO Assistant Conductor and Phillip and Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador Na’Zir McFadden.

In the 2024–2025 season, he will again feature with the orchestra, pairing up with Concertmaster Robyn Bollinger for Brahms’s robust and riveting Double Concerto, conducted by Bignamini.

Reflecting on his experience with the DSO, Yu highlights the privilege of collaboration. “I’m very blessed that I’m surrounded by all the world-class talent in our orchestra,” he said. “The artistry and integrity of my colleagues constantly inspires me. I also enjoy the camaraderie of the DSO, which is unmistakably characteristic of this institution. I am very proud to be part of this team.”

See Wei Yu perform in Orchestra Hall on April 11–13. Click here for tickets.