Remembering Violinist Roberto Cani (1967-2025)
Friends and colleagues are remembering violinist Roberto Cani, who died on Wednesday from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.
Violinist Roberto Cani.
Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra since 2011, Cani was known for his excellent musicianship as well as his kind personality.
"A masterful musician and great person, dedicated father and husband, he also was a talented bow and violin maker," said Los Angeles studio concertmaster Bruce Dukov. "I played on the very first violin he ever made for three years in the studios of Los Angeles, performing many solos for movie scores with it. Roberto also made a lot of bows, he was very skilled they were beautiful."
Born in born in Milan, Italy, Cani began his violin studies at the age of seven. He attended the Milan Conservatory of Music, where he was awarded the Minetti Prize in 1986. He also attended the Gnessin Institute of Music in Moscow, and the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles. He studied with Miroslav Roussine, Zinaida Gilels, Pavel Vernikov, Viktor Tretiakov, Abram Shtern, and Alice Schoenfeld.
A prize winner at the International Paganini Competition in 1990, he also won top honors in the Courcillon International Competition, and the Jeunesses Musicales International Competition in Belgrade, where he also captured a special award for the best performance of a contemporary work. He also received honors at the Tchaikovsky Competition. Cani played a 1735 Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù.
His discography included the Vivaldi "Four Seasons," sonatas by Respighi and Busoni with pianist Jeffrey Swann, and the solo sonatas of Bartok, Ysaye, Bloch, and Prokofiev under the Arkadia and Agora labels. Other recordings include the Tchaikovsky violin concerto, and a CD of favorite encores.
"I was privileged to hear Roberto many times: At chamber music series, recitals, in his many solos with L.A. Opera as well as a string quartet performance of the works of Zemlinsky, prior to the performances of 'The Dwarf' at L.A. Opera," Los Angeles-area violinist and teacher Linda Rose. "In the almost two years since Roberto was diagnosed, he never stopped performing or teaching, even when his fingers were red from the side effects of his treatment. His love of playing was so strong - his courage during these difficult times is such an inspiration and so important to remember about Roberto."
Cani is survived by his wife Elena and daughter Sofia. A GoFundMe has been started to help them with his medical expenses, click here to donate.
BELOW: From 2005: Roberto Cani plays Bach's Chaconne.
Replies
I met him during the Paganini Competition in 1990 in Genoa. He was super nice, reaching out to me to buy me lunch etc. I didn't hear him at the competition, but no doubt he had to be excellent to be a laureate. Super nice guy
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April 13, 2025 at 06:55 PM · Re ~ The very young Passing of very fine Violinist, Roberto Cani ~ {#1}
As from ~ Carrier of the Heifetz-Milsten Tradition of Violin Artistry and Milstein Bowing Mentoring Legacy, Elisabeth Matesky
Simply stated on learning of the passing of superb Violinist, Roberto Cani, and in another online publication from London in the UK, my eyes teared up with great sadness at the thought of losing a younger man and in his Prime of Life yet to the ravages of Pancreatic Cancer and at just aged 57, taken from his adored Wife and beloved Children ...
I offer my deepest sympathies & Condolences to the Roberto Cani Family upon their irreplaceable and tragic loss of a beloved & cherished Husband and adored Loved beyond Life Father who gave to All Colleagues and All Students under his Watch true Kindness which in today's current environment is Rare and a Gem in the Violin World's Musical Crown ~
My longtime Friend and Violinist Colleague, Ms Linda Rose has spoken so well for all of her US Violinist Colleagues throughout the Country and Parts Further including Italian & Russian well recognised Colleagues with whom Roberto Cani may have been a Violin Class-mate at some point in his beginning Career or just prior to ... Dear Linda Rose ~ 'Lizzie' here with compliments full of Gratitude on your beautiful Tribute to Roberto Cani, a rare Gem in the Crown of Violinists and those who give their Time and Love in teaching so many needing Best Help and no matter where they encountered in a first instance yet in the parting instances those pupil's are emboldened with beauty and technical skills so needed by a Mentor & Who Cared So Deeply ... Sending you, dear Linda, my Saddened Condolences on the loss of your obviously revered Violin Colleague & treasured Friend ... ~ May the Soul of Roberto Cani RIP ~
Thanking Laurie Niles, Editor of Violinist.com for honouring the works of a proven Violinist & loving Violin Mentor to the Best and more importantly to the least which "Up There" I should think matters the Most ~
~ ~ With Condolences to Laurie Niles as well ~ ~
............ Sadly Elisabeth Matesky ............
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