By Fleur Michell

Acclaimed classical musician Dave Loew is just one of many everyday Australians who’s had a more challenging year than usual. Due to the pandemic, and downturn in the entertainment industry, Dave was forced to wind down some of his usual career activities. Instead, he focused on being a full-time carer to his mother.

Maria, who is an incredible 101 years old, has battled ill-health this year with several hospitalisations. Then two months ago, Dave himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “When you’re elderly yourself, caring for an elderly parent can be utterly exhausting,” admits the 72-year-old. “However, I’m lucky that I’ve always had a lot of energy and my treatment’s been going well.”

Despite the challenges Dave is determined to give back to the community – particularly to those housebound such as his mother – by putting on a free live online concert on Friday, November 26 at 10.30am.

Live free online concert event

Titled I Am Cellist: The Concert the 25-minute performance will feature tracks from classic music tracks such as Ave Maria, to pop hits such as Unchained Melody and Fields of Gold, to film scores featuring Skyfall and For Your Eyes Only.

“Now lockdown is over, there’s this thinking that people will just be out socialising again. However, many people – particularly the elderly, isolated or those who can’t afford outings – will still largely be indoors. If lockdown has taught the entertainment industry anything, it’s that people want entertainment that is more accessible. Online, virtual concerts are a way to do that.

“Seeing Mum delight in hearing me play a song on the cello, really lifts her spirits and helps her forget about the pain she’s in for a while.”

Not one to sit still, the Sydney resident made the most of last year’s first lockdown by penning his autobiography I Am Cellist and released his 13^th album – James Bond: The Essential Movie Themes.

Born in Kenya near the Serengeti Plains into a Jewish show biz family turned poultry farmers, as a boy Dave, developed into an extraordinary child prodigy, practicing the cello in the wilds of the farm. His first ‘fan’ was a crippled lion he called Simba who’d sit quietly nearby as Loew played.

After emigrating to Australia as a young man, Dave found fame as a leading cellist with the Sydney, Melbourne and London Symphony Orchestras playing under the great conductor Andre Previn. He also played on some of the most iconic movie scores including Superman, The Omen and The Shining. His cello career has flourished over the past 50 years despite battling PTSD and bi-polar disorder.

“I first developed anxiety as a child, distressed by terrible stories about Mum’s brothers who were killed in the WWII holocaust in her native Hungary,” said Dave. “My mother suffered so much but was so strong. The fact that she has made it to 101 years is a testament to her will.”

Click onto I Am Cellist: The Concert at Eventbrite for Dave’s free live concert. The concert will also be available online afterwards – check Dave Loew on Facebook for details. For a copy of the book visit Amazon Kindle and Dymocks.