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"The 3 Cs of a Lasting Career: Curiosity, Commissions, & Communication" - An Interview with Cellist Johannes Moser, International Soloist and Chamber Musician

The Cello Sherpa Podcast

Chapters
0:00
Host Intro And Sponsor
1:05
Meet Johannes Moser
1:20
Choosing Cello And Loving Practice
3:00
Munich Roots And Family Influence
4:23
Cello As Swiss Army Knife
5:47
From Hobby To Calling
7:15
Soloist Craft Versus Orchestra Life
10:00
Learning With Amateur Orchestras
12:20
Communicating Beyond The Notes
14:40
Careers, Hype, And Reinvention
17:30
Commissions As Career Engine
19:20
How Repertoire And Technique Evolved
22:00
Depth Versus Virtuosity In The Social Era
24:30
Why New Music Refreshes The Classics
26:20
Ownership, Community, And Repertoire
28:10
Teaching, Practice, And Productive Doubt
31:00
Career Advice: People Over Platforms
35:40
Closing, Next Guest, And CTAs
The Cello Sherpa Podcast
"The 3 Cs of a Lasting Career: Curiosity, Commissions, & Communication" - An Interview with Cellist Johannes Moser, International Soloist and Chamber Musician
Jan 09, 2026 Season 6 Episode 1
Joel Dallow

A cello can feel like an escape, a calling, and eventually a limb. That’s how Johannes Moser describes the moment the instrument clicked for him and why, decades later, he still loves the daily work most players dread. Our conversation traces his path from messy youth concerts and amateur orchestras to major stages, revealing how real leadership grows when the horn enters early, the violas miss a cue, and the soloist still carries the story.

We dig into what actually sustains a modern career: commissions that energize seasons, manuscripts that change how you read the classics, and the habit of talking with audiences as openly as you play. Johannes explains how performers like Casals and Rostropovich expanded the cello’s possibilities and how today’s social media era risks trading depth for dazzle. His antidote is simple and demanding—feed your inner life with books and theater, cultivate personal relationships that lead to invitations, and practice with curiosity so conviction can bloom on stage.

Along the way, Johannes shares why new music keeps Dvorak and Schumann fresh, how shared ownership of premieres strengthens the repertoire, and what “productive doubt” looks like in the practice room. He also offers grounded advice for young players navigating a noisy landscape: value the people in the room over the algorithm, and let your voice—not just your velocity—set you apart. If you’re hungry for a clear, human blueprint to grow artistry, connect with listeners, and build a resilient life in music, this conversation will meet you where you are and push you forward.

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For more information on Johannes Moser: https://www.johannes-moser.com/

You can also find Johannes on Instagram and Facebook: @cellistjohannesmoser

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