Columbus Symphony Orchestra Concert to Feature Pianist Dominic Cheli

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra continues their 2022 season this Saturday with a concert of two of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces. For the first half of the program, the orchestra will perform Concerto for Piano No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73, “The Emperor” with featured artist and award-winning pianist Dominic Cheli. The second half of the concert will feature Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica.”

Dominic Cheli Image by Dario Acosta.

Cheli was born in St. Louis and studied with pianist Zena Ilyashov from an early age. At 16, Cheli moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music and study with Andre-Michel Schub. After graduating, Cheli went to Yale to study with Peter Frankl for two years before finishing his degree in Los Angeles at the Colburn School under the tutelage of Fabio Bidini.

Cheli has enjoyed a phenomenal career performing internationally. Highlights include winning 1st prize at the 2017 Concert Artists Guild in New York City, as well as performances with orchestras and festivals across the world. He's been featured at the Ravinia, Mostly Mozart, Virginia Arts, and Aspen festivals, and with the San Diego, Indianapolis, Princeton, Sarasota Orchestras.

Off the stage, it's interesting to know that Cheli works as a composer, arranger, audio editor, videographer, and director. In his free time, he trains for Ironman triathlons. (To date, he's competed in four different states!)

Want a preview of Cheli's playing? Watch the video below.

For more information about Saturday's concert, click here! Want to know more about the repertoire being performed this week? Check out Maestro Del Gobbo's Know the Score video series!