BU Tanglewood Institute: A Tribute to Lynn Harrell (1944-2020)

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All of us at Boston University Tanglewood Institute are saddened by the news of Mr. Harrell’s passing. We are honored to have welcomed the acclaimed cellist as a 2017 Visiting Artist. Ken-David Masur (BUTI’96), alumnus and conductor of the Young Artists Orchestra during Mr. Harrell’s residency, reflects on his legacy and their relationship:

Lynn Harrell’s passing took me by great surprise and filled me with deep sadness. I express my deepest condolences and wishes to his family. I had the opportunity to meet Lynn growing up and witness performances he gave with my father Kurt. Even before my first encounter, the images I had of him were so marked through the endearing stories my parents would share about him around the dinner table. That he was this lovable, jovial bear playing the instrument, because his size made the cello look like he had taken a viola between his knees, or they joked that in order to play a half step he’d only have to simply line the fingers up next to each other without any space. Most of all though, he was such a generous spirit who was loved by so many of his colleagues and audiences for his deeply moving performances, his great sense of humor, warmth of character and constant desire for connection with those around him.

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The last working opportunity I had with him was at Tanglewood when he recently came as an artist in residence to BUTI where he taught everything from solo repertoire to chamber music and sat in the cello section of the orchestra where he told us his stories from the time at Cleveland where he played under Szell. Until the very end, he wanted nothing more than to share his knowledge and his life with others and those of us who had the opportunity to sit next to him at a rehearsal or even across from him at a Tanglewood picnic table were filled with gratitude. I will miss him dearly and am so grateful for the music and the experiences he has given us all and that he now leaves us with.

With best wishes,

Ken-David Masur (BUTI’96)
Music Director, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra”

Mr. Harrell’s Visiting Artist Residency was made possible by the Andrew B. Kim & Wan Kyun Rha Kim Family Foundation.