Daniel Lelchuk

Described by The Washington Post as a “dazzling virtuoso,” Daniel Lelchuk was appointed Assistant Principal cellist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013 by music director Carlos Miguel Prieto; he holds the same position with the New Orleans Opera Association. He has performed at numerous international festivals including those of Aspen, Baden-­Baden, Hawaii, Colorado, Lakes Area, Silicon Valley, and Salzburg. He serves as cellist for New Orleans based chamber ensemble Lyrica Baroque. At the invitation of Prince Nicolò Boncompagni Ludovisi, he presented a series of solo cello recitals at the famed Villa Aurora, Rome. A founding member of the Castleton Chamber Players with violinist Eric Silberger, Daniel Lelchuk served from 2010-­2014 as principal cellist of the Castleton Festival under Maestro Lorin Maazel.

In addition to his busy concert schedule, he leads a rich life behind the microphone. He was the popular and frequent guest host of The Food Show on WWL radio where he interviewed celebrity chefs and welcomed callers from all over the country live on-air. He is the creator and host of the popular podcast regularly heard in more than seventy countries Talking Beats with Daniel Lelchuk, where he engages the most fascinating and compelling people of our time in spirited, in-depth conversation. Guests include Walter Isaacson, Linda Ronstadt, Ambassador Michael McFaul, Mike Espy, Nicholas Christakis, John McWhorter, David Frum, Jacques Pépin, Moshe Safdie, Amy Tan, and Malcolm Nance.

On WWNO, Daniel Lelchuk is the creator and voice behind the LPO Radio Hour, where he takes listeners on a highly curated weekly tour of great orchestral, chamber, and operatic music, for which he provides frank commentary, behind the scenes look at concert life, and context so the brand new listener instantly feels at home.