Lynn Harrell at a recital in Tokyo. It might be, judging from the stage and reflective board on the back, at the small hall of Tokyo Bunkakaikan in Ueno around 1980. A video of a program by NHK, possibly.
I have never listened to him in his young days. A true virtuoso. He played effortlessly such a difficult piece as Arpeggione sonata by Schubert. That piece should be played like a humming piece sung at a downtown street in Wien. His cello sounds like that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blALvCjzUIc
Tokyo Bunkakaikan is an old concert halls facility which is close to my mother school. It is located at a corner of Ueno park next to the Ueno station. The park was a walk place for me in student days. I used to attend there for a various concerts then. In my jr. high days, I was a regular member of Tokyo Philharmonic with my father for a while. It was in '60s. Still a lot of fond memories. Harrell, seemingly warm hearted person, has died 4 years ago. I seldom visit that concert hall and even Tokyo now. Time has passed.
I was lucky to see Lynn Harrell in concert at the American String Teachers Conference just a few years ago. He had a beautiful big sound! He was a large man and he moved so easily around the fingerboard. His ease of playing really made an impression on me. I heard that he died of covid during the height of the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t realize you were a regular member of the Tokyo Philharmonic with your father. It must have been so enjoyable to do that together. Was your father also a cellist? My stepfather Dave N4DAG used to play dobro (steel guitar), and guitar. He also played trumpet as a young man. He played trumpet at the Easter service at church one year. Happy memories!
We are waiting for autumn to arrive truly. It has remained warm and dry. The deer arrive to eat the acorns of the chestnut oak. I am planting more camellias. Blessings to you and your wife, good doctors.
Susan KD4VXO
Hi Susan
DeleteAlways appreciate your good comment. No, my father was not a musician. He has lost his parents when he was very young and could not afford having education as he wanted. I doubt he really understood music but he was yearning for the spiritual world of music.
Fine on Dave. Sounds like a talented person. As often said good CW operators are always good musicians even though I am exceptional for that! So you were inherited with music talent from you mother?
I have just transplanted prolierated Welsh onions to the other part of garden farm. They prolierate endlessly! Spinach has also been planted at another place. Also harvested some taro. A lot of works to do before the real winter arrives here.
I have recently been charmed with Nocturn by Faure. Elegant and classy. But also sincere. I have always listened to his chamber music. Still there are a lot of things to listen to.
You, too, have a pleasant holiday season, Susan. May you be blessed with cool and crisp fall soon.
Shin
PS; I totally agree with you on Harrel. Too bad COVID killed such a great cellist. He had a sense of humor as well.
DeleteHi Shin,
DeleteYour father must have had a musician’s spirit. I’m glad you were able to enjoy music together. My mother wasn’t musical but she did have the wisdom to enroll me in cello lessons at a young age. I had a lovely teacher who was very patient and was also a gardener.
Thanks for the suggestion of Faure’s Nocturne. He wrote many short pieces that are evocative and yes, sincere.
We are finally approaching our first frost in the next few weeks. Enjoy the change of seasons!
Susan