Grammy-winning cellist Lynn Harrell dies at 76: 'This is the end of an era'
Cellist Lynn Harrell, one of the most prominent classical musicians of his generation, died at 76. The news of his passing was confirmed by his wife, violinist Helen Nightengale via Facebook. However, she didn't reveal the cause of his death.
Helen shared a photo of him with the caption: "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."
Harrell had performed as a soloist with every major orchestra in the USA and Europe over the course of his comprehensive career. The classical music world regarded him as a generous chamber music colleague, a respected teacher and a musician's musician.
After Lynn's debut at Carnegie Recital Hall (now Weill Recital Hall) at the age of 20 in 1964, The New York Times wrote: "He has music in his bones, plus a technique that a cellist two or three times his age can envy."
Harrell was born on January 30, 1944, in New York City. His parents were two notable industry musicians: baritone Mack Harrell, a regular presence at the Metropolitan Opera for many years, and violinist Marjorie McAlister Fulton. His godfather was the revered choral conductor Robert Shaw.
Harrell was a two-time Grammy-winning artist. His first win was in 1981 for his recording of Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50, with violinist Itzhak Perlman and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy. He won the coveted award for the second time, six years later, in 1987 for an album of Beethoven's piano trios, also with Perlman and Ashkenazy. His complete discography spans more than two dozen other recordings and his repertoire spanned from Bach to a new concerto by composer Augusta Read Thomas.
He taught at London's Royal Academy of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Juilliard, University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music and Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. He was also the music director of the summer training program of Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute.
In 1994, Harrell performed Max Bruch's Kol Nidrei at the Vatican in a concert dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The performance was broadcast around the world from what was the Vatican's first-ever official commemoration of the genocide.
Ten years ago, he and Helen founded the HEARTbeats Foundation, a non-profit organization that "strives to help children in need harness the power of music to better cope with, and recover from, the extreme challenges of poverty and conflict".
After the news of his death broke, fans and other musicians who had the privilege of working with him flocked to social media to offer their condolences.
"So sad to hear. I feel very fortunate to have seen him play in Toronto many years ago. Such a gifted and expressive player. Sincere condolences," wrote a fan.
"This saddens me to no end. I was lucky to catch @LynnHarrell my first and only time with the @SASym performing Shostakovich. All cellists feel his loss," wrote another.
"LRT RIP Lynn Harrell, one of the greatest cellists the world has ever known," wrote another fan.
"So sad to hear that Lynn Harrell has passed away. He performed the Dvorak Cello concerto with a community orchestra I was playing in a few years ago and it was such a wonderful performance. Everyone's musicianship jumped a few levels just with him at the helm," read another tweet.