Cellist
WELCOME
TO THE WEBSITE OF MÉTIS-CANADIAN CELLIST, DAVID LIAM ROBERTS
BIOGRAPHY
Winner of the 2021 Michael Measures Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, Métis-Canadian cellist David Liam Roberts enjoys an international career as a soloist and chamber musician. Celebrated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 2019 as one of "30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30", David Liam was awarded both the 1st Prize and Grand Award at the 2018 National Music Festival of Canada and won 1st Prize of the 2022 biennial WMC McLellan Competition after performing the Schumann Cello Concerto as soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in the competition’s final round. His Rilian Trio recently won the 1st Prize, Audience Prize and Commission Prize at the 12th Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in Norway.
The 2024-25 season includes two extensive tours of the Canadian Prairies with pianist Godwin Friesen (together they are known as Prairie Sons). The upcoming season also includes appearances at the Copenhagen Summer Festival (Denmark) and the Prince Edward County Festival (Ontario), Trondheim Kammermusikkfestival (Norway), as well as debuts in Calgary (Calgary Pro Musica) and Oslo with the Rilian Trio. Recent engagements include debuts in Tromsø, Norway, as well as recitals presented by the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, Music Toronto and the Gallery Chamber Players of Niagara.
David Liam has studied with many of the foremost classical music pedagogues, including Steven Isserlis, Christian Tetzlaff, Donald Weilerstein and Joel Krosnick, having attended festivals such as the Perlman Music Program, Morningside Music Bridge, and International Music Seminar at Prussia Cove. He has also attended the Open Chamber Music seminar at Prussia Cove. David Liam holds a Bachelors and Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where he studied with Hans Jørgen Jensen and Andres Díaz. This Fall, he will begin a Masters at the Basel Academy of Music in Switzerland, studying with the acclaimed cellist Danjulo Ishizaka.
David Liam plays a cello crafted in Milan by Carlo Antonio Monzino VI in 1928 and a bow by W.E. Hill&Sons, both generously loaned to him by CANIMEX, inc.
Current as of June 2024
CONCERTS
Upcoming
09.8-15.2024: Open Chamber Music at Prussia Cove, Cornwall, UK
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09.20-21.2024: Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival, Picton, ON. La Pietá (After Monkman) by Ian Cusson, Schubert Trout Quintet, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel Trio, Brahms G minor Piano Quartet.
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09.24-29.2024: Trondheim Kammermusikkfestival, Trondheim, Norway. Jessie Montgomery Duo for Violin and Cello, Fanny Hensel Trio, Ellen Lindquist Shining Through (2023), Ravel Trio, Chick Corea Addendum, Mozart K. 496 Trio, Godwin Friesen Psalm 131 for Piano Trio (2024), Frank Martin Trio on Irish Folk Tunes, Louise Farrenc Nonet.
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11.9-14.2024: Music Toronto residency with duo partner, pianist Godwin Friesen
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11.16.2024: Rilian Trio recital presented by Calgary Pro Musica, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Calgary, AB. Mozart K. 496 G major Trio, Godwin Friesen Psalm 131 for Piano Trio (2024), Shostakovich Trio No. 1 Op. 8, Ravel Trio
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11.17.2024: Duo recital (with pianist Godwin Friesen) presented by Virtuosi Concerts, Women's Musical Club of Winnipeg, and Prairie Debut, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB, 3:00pm. Tickets
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11.19.2024: Duo recital presented by Souris District Arts Council, Souris, MB, 7:30pm.
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11.20.2024: Duo recital presented by Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, Moose Jaw, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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11.23.2024: Duo recital presented by La Ronge Arts Council, La Ronge, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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11.24.2024: Duo recital presented by Nipawin Performing Arts Group, Nipawin, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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11.25.2024: Duo recital presented by Yorkton Arts Council, Yorkton, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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11.26.2024: Duo recital presented by Whitehawk Arts Council Inc., Whitehawk, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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11.27.2024: Duo recital presented by Weyburn Concert Series, Weyburn, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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02.25.2025: Duo recital presented by Biggar & District Arts Council, Biggar, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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02.26.2025: Duo recital presented by Dekker Centre, North Battleford, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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02.27.2025: Duo recital presented by Swift Current Arts Council, Swift Current, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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02.28.2025: Duo recital presented by Watrous & Area Arts Council, Watrous, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.1.2025: Duo recital presented by Indian Head Theatre & Community Arts Inc., Indian Head, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.2.2025: Duo recital presented by Estevan Arts Council, Estevan, SK, 2:00pm. Tickets
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03.4.2025: Duo recital presented by Moosomin & District Arts Council, Moosomin, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.5.2025: Duo recital presented by Tisdale Arts Council, Tisdale, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.6.2025: Duo recital presented by Canora Arts Council, Canora, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.9.2025: Duo recital presented by Regina Musical Club, Regina, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.10.2025: Duo recital presented by Shaunavon Arts Council, Shaunavon, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.11.2025: Duo recital presented by Kindersley & District Arts Council, Kindersley, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.12.2025: Duo recital presented by Luseland Arts Council, Luseland, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
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03.13.2025: Duo recital presented by Station Arts Centre Cooperative, Rosthern, SK, 7:30pm. Tickets
Past
08.15-25.2024: Creative Dialogue Sessions, led by Anssi Karttunen, Magnus Lindberg and others. France.
08.12.2024: Rilian Trio recital presented by Copenhagen Summer Festival. Copenhagen, Denmark.
07.12-22.2024: Bamfield Music By the Sea Festival. Bamfield, Vancouver Island, BC.
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May 25-June 16, 2024: Perlman Music Program, Chamber Music Workshop. Shelter Island, NY.
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05.12.2024: Rilian Trio recital presented by the Gallery Players of Niagara. St. Catherines, ON, 3:00pm.
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05.07.2024: Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Carnegie Hall, NYC. 2nd chair cello.
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05.04.2024: Rilian Trio recital presented by Music Toronto, "Celebration of Small Ensembles" series.
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04.03-14.2024: Rilian Trio at Prussia Cove International Musician Seminar, masterclasses with Claudio Martinez-Mehner. Cornwall, UK
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03.31.2024: Self-presented Rilian Trio recital in Mazzoleni Hall, RCM, Toronto. Dvorak F minor Trio and Schoenberg (arr. Steurmann) Transfigured Night
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03.06.2024: Brahms B major Trio with Anna Stube (violin) and Henry From (piano) in Koerner Hall, 1st Prize Glenn Gould School Chamber Competition Finals.
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02.24.2024: Graduating Recital at Glenn Gould School, featuring harpsichordist Christopher Bagan and others. Program included "Es ist vollbracht" aria from St John Passion for cello, soprano and harpsichord, Beethoven Op 69 Sonata, Bach Gamba Sonata No. 3, and Pirin by Dobrinka Tabakova. Over 190 people in attendance. Toronto, ON.
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02.01.2024: Rilian Trio recital presented by the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel"MUCH Surprise"concert series. Waterloo, Belgium.
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01.26.2024: Recital with Rilian Trio presented by the Northern Lights Festival. Tromsø, Norway.
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11.29.2023: Walter Braunfels Quintet with the ARC Ensemble (Artists of the Royal Conservatory) in Toronto.
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09.26-30.2023: Trondheim International Chamber Competition with Rilian Trio
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09.17.2023: Schoenberg Transfigured Night with Viano Quartet and violinist Scott St. John at Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival, Picton, ON. 3:00. https://pecmusicfestival.com/sep17_finale/
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09.10.2023: Concert as Young Artist in Residence at Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival, Picton, ON. 3:00pm. https://pecmusicfestival.com/sep10_cello/
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05.20.2023: Schubert B-flat Piano Trio with Rilian Trio at the Lunenberg Academy of Music Performance. Masterclass residency with Steven Isserlis.
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05.11.2023: 8pm Solo Recital in Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music. Program includes Stravinsky Suite Italienne, Debussy Sonata, Cusson La Pieta (After Monkman), Rossini Largo al Factotum, Schumann D minor Trio with Rilian Trio.
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05.07.2023: 8pm Recital with LaLa Lee in Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music. Debussy Cello Sonata, Beethoven Op. 11 Trio with Eric Abramovitz, clarinet, and other works.
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04.21.2023: Debussy Sonata with Sophia Rahman in Cornwall, UK, as part of the Prussia Cove International Musicians Seminar concert series
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Liam&LaLa Debut Atlantic Tour (https://www.debutatlantic.ca/artist/liamlala):
03.10.2023: Tatamagouche, NS
03.11.2023: Lunenberg, NS
03.12.2023: Annapolis Royal, NS
03.16.2023: Moncton, NB
03.18.2023: Yarmouth, NS
03.19.2023: Wolfville, NS
03.22.2023: Fredericton, NB
03.24.2023: Charlettetown, PEI
03.25.2023: Antigonish, NS
03.27.2023: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
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03.05.2023: Solo Recital: "Theatre". Works by Debussy, Poulenc & Stravinsky, and a special performance of Schumann Cello Concerto with chamber orchestra conducted by Pedro Larraín Lyon. Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St W
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02.12.2023: Schumann Concerto with New Brunswick Youth Orchestra at Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB.
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01.28.2023: Solo cellist in "Foreverdark" concertino for amplified cello & orchestra by Bekah Simms at 21C Music Festival. Conducted by Brian Current. Temerty Theatre, Royal Conservatory of Music.
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01.14.2023: "Art of Trio" Recital with Rilian Trio at Christ Church Cathedral in Montréal, presented by Oasis Musicale series. Beethoven Op. 1 No. 1 and Ravel Trios.
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01.07.2023: "Art of Trio" Recital with Rilian Trio, presented by the Concerts@100 Series in Toronto. Beethoven Op. 1 No. 1 and Ravel Trios.