Cellist Joshua Roman had a singular focus: being a perfect empty vessel for the music. But when long COVID forced him to face his limits, he rediscovered his love for playing the cello.
About Joshua Roman
Joshua Roman is a composer and cello soloist who has performed with leading orchestras around the world, including Los Angeles Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Toronto Symphony and Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra.
Before his career as a soloist, Roman joined the Seattle Symphony as their principal cellist in 2006. At 22 , he was the youngest musician to hold that role.
Roman's solo album, Immunity, was released in 2024.
This segment of TED Radio Hour was produced by Matthew Cloutier and edited by Sanaz Meshkinpour. You can follow us on Facebook @TEDRadioHour and email us at TEDRadioHour@npr.org.
Web Resources
Related TED Talk: Why do you love your favorite songs?
Related TED Talk: A sonic journey through the universe
Related TED Playlist: The magic of the human voice
Related NPR Links
TED Radio Hour: Soundtracks of our lives
NPR Music: Before they were 2025 Grammy Award winners, they were Tiny Desk performers
All Things Considered: Three albums in 3 months? No sweat for violinist Anne Akiko Meyers
Copyright 2025 NPR
