Acclaimed cellist Valentin Radutiu began his musical journey at the age of 6 when he started learning the cello from his father, a cellist with the Munich Radio Orchestra who had fled communist Romania. This early immersion in music coupled with his father’s inspiring story of resilience and dedication has profoundly shaped Radutiu’s approach to performance and teaching, an approach he will bring to Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music as a professor of cello beginning July 1, 2025. Radutiu will succeed Desmond Hoebig, who has made significant contributions to the field over his tenure spanning more than three decades at the Shepherd School.
“I am honored to join the esteemed faculty at the Shepherd School of Music,” said Radutiu, who has been praised by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper as “one of the great cello talents of our time.” “Having had the privilege of outstanding teachers who have influenced me far beyond cello playing, I have found passing on the art of playing the cello and the meaning of musicianship to be an essential part of my life. To be able to pursue this passion at this renowned institution and to help the new generation of cellists find a fulfilling and meaningful place in the musical world of the 21st century fills me with great joy and excitement.”
“Valentin’s journey as a musician is truly inspiring, rooted in a rich familial heritage and shaped by his experiences across Europe,” said search committee chair Norman Fischer, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello and director of chamber music. “His deep understanding of the cello combined with his commitment to mentoring young artists stood out during the selection process. We know he will undoubtedly enrich our students’ musical education and foster their artistic growth.”
Radutiu has served as the principal cellist of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin since 2019 and has extensive experience as a concerto soloist, having performed with renowned orchestras such as the Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, National Romanian Symphony and Bucharest Radio Orchestra. Additionally, Radutiu has served as a guest principal cellist with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Munich Radio Orchestra while also taking on the role of guest section cellist with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Radutiu is an active recording artist with eight albums, including the Haydn cello concertos and Enescu complete works for cello and piano as well as lesser-known concertos of the classical period, expressing his curiosity for cello repertoire beyond the expected. Radutiu’s accolades include victories at national and international competitions such as the International Karl Davidov Competition in Riga, Latvia, and the Music Prize of German Business, one of Germany’s most prestigious awards for emerging musicians. In 2011, he won second prize at the International Enescu Competition in Bucharest, Romania.
Since 2021, Radutiu has been a professor of cello at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden, Germany. He studied at prominent European institutions, including the Mozarteum University Salzburg, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and the School of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin. He said his teachers — Clemens Hagen, Heinrich Schiff and David Geringas — have shaped not only his musical abilities but also his philosophy on education.
“Valentin’s extensive teaching experience and passion for guiding aspiring cellists is clearly remarkable,” said Shepherd School Dean Matthew Loden. “Having already served as a cello professor and conducted master classes around the globe, he is well prepared to inspire and develop the next generation of musicians here at Rice.”
As Radutiu prepares to join the Shepherd School, Hoebig will conclude his tenure as one of the world’s most sought-after teachers and performers. Hoebig first joined the Shepherd School in 1994 as an associate professor of cello. He left to accept the principal cellist role in the Cleveland Orchestra in 2004, returning in 2008 as a visiting professor of cello. In 2009, he was appointed professor of cello, a title he will hold until his retirement in 2025.
“Desmond Hoebig has been a cornerstone of the Shepherd School for more than 30 years, leaving an indelible mark as both a teacher and performer,” Loden said. “His remarkable journey as a soloist and section leader in top orchestras has elevated our program while inspiring generations of students. As he approaches his retirement in 2025, we honor Desmond’s legacy and extend our heartfelt gratitude for the lasting impact he has made.”
Learn more about the Shepherd School here.