A Wm. Moennig & Son Memory - Lynn Harrell

Hearing of the death of the great Cellist Lynn Harrell last week reminded of me of a vivid memory from the Moennig days....somewhere near the age of 90...the legendary Cellist and teacher at Curtis ( and teacher of Harrell) decided to finally part with his lifelong companion ... the great "Sleeping Beauty" cello by Domenico Montagnana made in Venice 1739. It was a special treat to live with / work on a Cello of that stature ....and eventually when it was ready to show ...Mr Cole ( I could never seem to call hm Landy) came in with Lynn Harrell to play it...Harrell was a great, big Linebacker of a man .....and I'll never forget being 6 feet away from a big, broad World-Class Cellist.... playing a big, broad World-Class Cello ...and hearing more sound ( and great sound!) coming from a Cello that I had had my hands on... I remember being forcibly struck.... and my sense of whats possible was enlarged... that is probably the best way any one can be influenced by someone...