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Cellist Lynn Harrell Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Net Worth, Cause of Death and Obituary

Lynn Harrell Biography – Lynn Harrell Wiki

Lynn Harrell was an American classical cellist. At age 8, Harrell decided to learn to play the cello. When he was 12, his family moved to Dallas, Texas where he studied with Lev Aronson. After attending Denton High School, Harrell studied at the Juilliard School in New York with Leonard Rose and then at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with Orlando Cole. He made his debut in 1961 playing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, according to Lynn Harrell’s biography on his official website.

In April 1962, Harrell withdrew from high school in his junior year to advance to the semifinals of the Second International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Harrell was a cellist with the Cleveland Orchestra and its principal cellist from 1964 to 1971. By age 27, he felt he was ready to pursue his solo career and was invited to appear with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Lynn Harrell’s career reached a decisive turning point when he won the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, launching his solo career into the international limelight.

In 1994, Lynn Harrell appeared at the Vatican with the Royal Philharmonic in a concert dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. As the Vatican’s first official commemoration of the Holocaust, the historic event was attended by both Pope John Paul II and the Chief Rabbi of Rome. That year Mr. Harrell also appeared live at the Grammy Awards with Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman.

Harrell’s recordings include the complete Bach Cello Suites (London/Decca), the world premiere recording of Victor Herbert’s Cello Concerto No. 1 with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields led by Marriner (London/Decca), the Walton Concerto with Simon Rattle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (EMI), and the Donald Erb Concerto with Leonard Slatkin and the Saint Louis Symphony (New World).

Together with Itzhak Perlman and Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mr. Harrell was awarded two Grammy® Awards – for the Tchaikovsky Piano Trio and for the complete Beethoven Piano Trios. A career highlight for Lynn Harrell was recording Concerto For Violin & Cello by Henri Dutilleux with the Orchestra National de France led by Charles Dutoit.

With Vladimir Ashkenazy and Pinchas Zukerman, Mr. Harrell recorded the Schubert Trios and the Brahms Trios. Other recording highlights include Harrell’s Tchaikovsky’s Variations for Cello and Orchestra on a Rococo Theme, Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2, and Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Gerard Schwarz conducting.

Lynn Harrell Age

Lynn Harrell was born on January 30, 1944, in New York, New York, United States. He died on April 27, 2020. He was 76 years old.

Lynn Harrell Wife

Lynn Harrell was married to his wife violinist Helen Nightengale. He was previously married to his first wife Linda Blandford, a British journalist.

Lynn Harrell Children

Lynn Harrell had 4 children from his two marriages – Kate Blandford Harrell, Eben Blandford Harrell, Noah Harrell, and Hanna Harrell.

Lynn Harrell Family

Lynn Harrell was the son of two notable musicians: baritone Mack Harrell and violinist Marjorie McAlister Fulton. His father died of cancer in 1960 at age 50, and his mother in a car accident in November 1962.

In a May 1994 interview with Gramophone, Harrell talked about his father’s influence: “My father was a great singer, but I wasn’t aware of that until after he died. But then I would play along with, study and listen to small snippets of his recordings, over and over again, to see the meaning of his art. At times, that experience was often overpowering. I began to realize that it was possible to get a similar variety of attack with the bow as that possible from the human voice. Listening to records of singers became my inspiration fully for five or six years, and I then consciously attempted to extend the palette of sounds I could produce on the cello to rival those of the voice.”

Lynn Harrell Death

Lynn Harrell died on April 27, 2020, at the age of 76. His death was confirmed by his wife, violinist Helen Nightengale, in a statement on Facebook.

“We have lost a wonderful father, husband, mensch. All four of Lynn’s children, his sister, friends, and I mourn him along with those who were lucky enough to know his music, his wit, and his humanity. You were an end of an era, Dear Lynn, and will be missed more than you will ever know. We love you to the moon and back. Rest in Peace, dear one, you have earned it. Lynn Harrell January 30, 1944 – April 27, 2020.”

Anastasia Tsioulcas tweeted: “Very sorry to report that the wonderful cellist Lynn Harrell has died. In the classical music world, he was revered as a great musician and teacher, a generous colleague, and a lovely person.”

The Broad Stage tweeted: “The Broad Stage mourns the loss of a musical icon, virtuoso cellist, beloved educator and wonderful friend, @LynnHarrell. We treasured our long relationship with Mr. Harrell as a pillar of our classical music series. Most recently, he appeared on our The Broad Stage At Home series just a few short weeks ago, where he spoke so powerfully about the importance of music for everyone, and of course we had planned for his recital on May 17 to close our 2019/20 season. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and we join the entire musical world in honoring a great life in music.”

Cleveland Orchestra tweeted: “We’re sad to hear that legendary cellist, Lynn Harrell, has died. Lynn joined The Cleveland Orchestra in 1963 under George Szell & was Principal Cello from 1966-1971. Seen here at Carnegie Hall with Franz Welser-Möst, Anne-Sophie Mutter, & Yefim Bronfman.”

Calgary Philharmonic tweeted: “We’re saddened to hear of the passing of cellist Lynn Harrell. Lynn performed on a number of occasions as soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic and was a Resident Artist with Morningside Music Bridge.”

Lynn Harrell Cause of Death

Lynn Harrell’s cause of death was not revealed.

Lynn Harrell Net Worth

Information about Lynn Harrell’s net worth is being updated.

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