Conversations Encore: The spiked chair which began conductor Umberto Clerici's life in music
Feb 26, 2026
Umberto Clerici, chief conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and former international cellist, recalls a childhood punctuated by a spike-studded posture chair and his Suzuki beginnings. He talks about choosing the cello, performing across Russia, buying a historic Testore instrument, moving to Australia for love, and an unexpected path from player to conductor.
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Chair Of Spikes Taught Lifelong Posture
- Umberto Clerici learned cello posture on a childhood "chair full of spikes" designed to enforce stillness and correct elbow height.
- He recalls his Suzuki teacher and mother approving it as a lifelong training guide rather than torture, embedding habits early.
Law Family Raised A Musically Serious Mindset
- Clerici credits his family's legal tradition for valuing broad humanistic education while his mother pushed artistic expression.
- That tension created discipline plus freedom, which he says shaped his musical seriousness and social engagement in ensembles.
Chose Cello Because Violin Demo Sounded Terrible
- He chose the cello because the Suzuki demo violin sounded awful and the small cello's low-tone vibration seemed harmless.
- At age five to six he preferred the cello's quieter, fuller sound to the "cat in a washing machine" violin demo.