A quick note to everyone
I have to apologize for not posting anything sooner but I’m happy to say that I’ll be publishing something later this afternoon and I’ve already written something very special for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
About the Author
Lynn Harrell
Welcome to my blog. I am a 67 year old solo cellist who has been touring the world for the last 40 years playing almost everywhere of note in the classical music scene alongside many of the greatest musicians. Over all these years, I have accumulated many stories, opinions, and insights, and gifts of the spirit as well as objects. It has been and still is incredibly inspiring work and even though I consider myself “techno-challenged” I wanted to have an outlet to share everything.
Welcome to my blog. I am a 67 year old solo cellist who has been touring the world for the last 40 years playing almost everywhere of note in the classical music scene alongside many of the greatest musicians. Over all these years, I have accumulated many stories, opinions, and insights, and gifts of the spirit as well as objects. It has been and still is incredibly inspiring work and even though I consider myself “techno-challenged” I wanted to have an outlet to share everything.
Dear Lynn,
THANK YOU for the superb performance in Cerritos last night! And thanks to Jim Svejda for publicizing this rare visit to L.A. so that I could awaken from my unconsciousness and grab a ticket.
I’ve been wild about you and your cello ever since an L.A. recital you gave with my godfather, the late Brooks Smith, as your accompanist +/- 25 years ago. Last night’s program was heaven for me — worth the drive from Pacific Palisades ten times over. I managed to snag a 4th row center seat with an inexplicably vacant space to my right. I had the eerie sensation that Brooks’ presence took advantage and parked itself in that spot for the Brahms and the Beethoven (why he was absent for the Rachmaninoff I can only guess). Since he always had a special place in his heart for you, I know he would have loved to be there in person!
I found no info re which cello you’re using these days — internet research seems to reveal that you’ve let the Du Pre Strad go? Would love to know.
Sincere thanks again for coming to this western wasteland and giving me another opportunity to revel in your musical brilliance and wit.
Thank you so much for writing!! I loved Brooks so much, and miss him dearly as a person and friend but especially as an artist. I learned so much from him in so many ways… I did sell my DuPre Strad to Nina Kotovich who lives in Dallas. I play my Montagnana which I have had 50 years and a magnificent Dungey from Idaho 2008. They are my companions now. More often the Dungey than the Montagnana because it is such a joy to play…Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Dare I say I remember you studyiing with Mr. Graudan at the Aspen Festival circa 1954–56. I was working with Joanna (Hansi as we called her behind her back) and loving every moment. I remember Mr. Graudan commenting that your
hand “flew onto the insrument!” I was so naive in those days I had no idea of the magnitude of the Graudans and their incredible musical history. Did you know she was in Kiev at the same time as Horowitz!!! and had to ride a train for two weeks to get back home to Northern Europe after the revolution. I first heard your father in Kansas City in the late 1940′s when he gave classes with Carl Friedberg, Conrad Bos and..dear old Evaline Hartley running the show. Now I am 75 and not naive any more!!! Miss Hartley left me many musical monemtos, including her father’s collection of Kipling, many volumes very valuable today. She was the first person to really encourage me and help me go to Aspen. I loved those early Aspen days…and after that was never able to bring myself to go back. Some memories are best left where they fall. All the best…I hope retirement means more playing and less “stuff”. John Kenneth Adams.
Dear John:
I suppose I will retire someday! Maybe not: Casals and Slava didn’t! So that is a while ago! But I did learn a great deal from Kolys and Hansi, but I was no wunderkind like Jimmy Levine who studied with rosina , as did Cliburn, who I conducted in Austin with the Uof T Symphony Thaikovsky 1. Those early days were remarkable. I have just transferred for the first time my Dad’s 1939 Town Hall Recital debut: Schubert and Wolf… magnificent ! All warmest to someone who shares that special dimension of remembered musical experiences… Lynn
Dear Lynn,
It’s really great to look at your website. My teenage daughter, who is a cello enthusiast, was able to find it after I told her about you and our tennis days at
Queen’s. We loved hearing you play Rachmaninoff.
Over the years I have learned to spot the sonorous sound of your work even before a radio announcer would mention your name. Please email me if you are ever in the northern Virginia area. It would be great to see you again.
Best wishes,
Krim