Cellist Eric Schatz Alterman has led a varied musical life that has spanned continents and roles as a chamber musician, orchestral performer, soloist, and composer. Residing in Rio de Janeiro, he performed for 5 years as a section cellist and assistant principal in the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, where he performed with Brazilian musical legends including Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, and Gal Costa. Currently based in Oregon as cellist of the Delgani String Quartet, considered by Oregon Arts Watch "the state's finest chamber ensemble," he curates a season of string quartet programs in Portland, Eugene, Corvallis, and Salem. Known regionally for his heartfelt, expressive playing, Eugene Scene writes that Alterman, “revealed the cello’s achingly soulful side.”
Alterman’s creative passion for music and improvisation has made him a frequent collaborator of all types of artists. He has created music for dancers, sat in with numerous bands, performed improvised solo sets, and composed an original cello suite based on the Bach suites. An experienced orchestral performer, Alterman continues to serve as Assistant Principal Cellist of the Eugene Symphony and Acting Principal Cellist of the Oregon Mozart Players, and is a frequent substitute with the Oregon Symphony.
Alterman grew up in New York City, where he began music studies at a young age at the Mannes College of Music. Going on to receive Bachelors and Masters degrees at Brandeis University and Boston University, he studied cello with former and current Lydian Quartet members, Rhonda Rider and Joshua Gordon, and the late Vermeer Quartet cellist, Marc Johnson.
Photo by Paul Carter
