Quotes

Sun Herald, 1986:  
David Pereira substituting for the ailing Jorg Baumann, played an exemplary role in all of this: apart from his habitually shaggy hair style, you would never have known he wasn't one of them. Except, perhaps, that he smiled from time to time as he played.  

Professor Roger Covell, 1987: 
Pereira has out-distanced his rivals, I believe, to become the leading resident ensemble cellist of his generation and is much liked by his colleagues.  

The Strad, 1992: 
David Pereira, one of Australia's most admirable string players, gives admirable accounts of  both works a freshness in his performances being one of the great pleasures of the disc [Wild Russians].

MCA Music Forum, 2000: 
Until now, I have always remained faithful to Tortellier's, but this performance [of the Bach Cello Suites] is such an important Australian landmark.

Manilla Bulletin, 2001: 
… with exquisite musical sensitivity and impressive strength by cellist Pereira, clarity of phrasing, warm and vibrant tones and his surging energy [of David’s performance of the Schumann Cello Concerto with the Manila Symphony Orchestra II].

The Strad, 2001: 
… follows on from his hugely successful CD single of Carl Vine's cello and tape piece Inner World, Pereira is a singing player with a strong personality [review of CD Uluru].

Peter Sculthorpe, 2002: 
I'd also like to thank you, David, for your wondrous playing of my music over the years, for your special advocacy of my work. We've been, and we are, are good team. The new CD [Peter Sculthorpe – Music for Cello] will attest to this.

International Record Review, 2002: 
… unbearable intensity brought mesmerizingly to life on this recording [of Peter Sculthorpe – Music for Cello] by the work's premiere performer, David Pereira. This atmospherically recorded collection was presented to Sculthorpe - a wonderful gift for a very special composer.

Janos Starker, 2002: 
Thank-you for sending me your book [Violoncello – One with your sound]. I knew you as a highly gifted cellist, but wasn't aware of your philosophic and poetic bent - the approach is rather novel, you should be proud of it.

Einojuhani Rautavaara, 2002: 
It has been a great pleasure to listen to your recording of my cello music [Rautavaara Cello Music]! I could not wish for a better performance of the works, and I have been impressed by your technical mastery and accomplished artistic expression. Both the moments of drama and of lyricism emerge exactly as I have thought they should sound. Thank you!

Musicweb International, 2006: 
… a rich treasure-trove of new and not-so-new work for cello and electronics [the CD Electric Cello] sometimes left me jaw-droppingly impressed.

Elena Kats-Chernin, 2009: 
You are such an inspiration, an amazingly very special person and unbelievable musician, I just sit there humbly with amazement at how you breathe life into mine (specifically), but also other composers’ music.

Photograph

David Pereira and orchestra in rehearsal for the Canberra International Music Festival, 2009. Photograph by Fusion Photography.