LORNE MUNROE

Former Principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic, LorneMunroe, retired in February 96 after 31 years with the orchestra. As a going away gesture Munroe was asked to perform the Schumann Cello Concerto. It is a darkly meditative and melancholy work, with long, thoughtful solos. It is a piece that touches the depths of the soul.

Munroe's colleagues in the orchestra were there only to highlight and punctuate the cello's soliloquies and to give him an ovation at the end. Every section cellist in every orchestra in the world must tip his or her hat to Munroe's decades of humble teamwork, as well as his terrific capabilities as a soloist. Munroe joined the New York Philharmonic in 1965, and often performed concertos with the Symphony. His televised performance of the Barber concerto a few years ago was one of the best performances of that concerto. When the pianist Daniel Barenboim recorded the Brahm's Second Piano Concerto, Munroe did the gorgeous extended cello solo in the slow movement. Munroe is an excellent cellist, a fine person, and will be missed very much by the NYPO.

This page was created on 3/02/96, as a free service of the Internet Cello Society SITE.