Acclaimed cellist Johannes Moser joins the Symphony this weekend for three performances of Elgar's Cello Concerto. Here's a few things to know, before you go.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Other than cello, what were the things that interested you as a child?

I grew up in Munich as a son of musicians, so music was always present. As a child, I guess I was really loving what everybody else did: soccer, reading, photography, building tree houses, math (just kidding) and giving my little brother a hard time (not kidding at all).

How and when did you become interested in the cello? Where did you study?

My main motivation to take up the cello was to get away from the violin. So at the age of eight I decided to make the move and have never regretted it! My dad was my first teacher.

What is it about classical music that speaks to you? What made you choose it over other forms of expression?

Well, there is no pretty way of saying this: My singing voice is atrocious, so cello seemed like a good option to express myself and not be deafening to my surroundings. I love the immediate emotional impact you can have with classical music on your audience. Other people sleep very well to classical music, which is also a wonderful gift.

What is the best thing about having a career as a classical cellist? What is the down side?

The down side definitely is the travel, which is always unpleasant and sometimes a nightmare. I have to purchase an extra seat for the instrument, but it always seems to be a big problem for the check-in desk to identify that extra ticket. It’s not a person, but it’s booked as one. Is it alive? Does it have a name and passport?

On the other hand, I love visiting places and love communicating with people. I have seen countries I would have never visited without my cello, like Rwanda, Malaysia, Vietnam... People react so differently to classical music, but there is always appreciation and good will involved, and I love that.

What music do you like to listen to in your free time?

I don’t listen to CDs that much anymore. I love live music. When I was in Los Angeles in October, I saw Lady Gaga live at the Hollywood Bowl. Also, I am lucky that my concerto usually is in the first half, so I get to hear the symphony in the second half, which I pretty much always try to listen to.

Live music is just so much better than any recording, and I don´t mind mistakes in a live performance.

Who do you think is the most underrated classical composer?

Sir Andrzej Panufnik.

Some critics are concerned that classical music is a dying art form. How do you respond to that?

If there is passion involved, I believe that classical music is anything but dying! I am fortunate to do a lot of outreach, and I experience a lot of curiosity amongst the new generation. However, I find it peculiar that literally all children respond so much more enthusiastically to Lutoslawski than to Bach. So my question is: Shouldn’t we nurture that curiosity and the excitement of new music rather than keeping classical music a museum?

Don´t get me wrong, I truly love my classics, but if we only rely on compositions that have been written at least 120 years ago only, our art from is slowly dying indeed.

What is your practice routine? And do you have any performance rituals or superstitions?

My practice routine—it’s complex. But there is no way around it: One has to just sit down and put in his hours. I am not superstitious at all, but I need my pasta before the concert. Any good Italian restaurants in Raleigh?

Historical figure you wish you could meet?

Alexander von Humboldt.

What is your fantasy career?

Being a deep sea explorer.

Your personal hero?

Miles Davis: Constantly reinvent yourself and your art.

Your biggest self-indulgence/guilty pleasure?

Chocolate. Lots of it.