Lorne Munroe
Encyclopedia
Lorne Munroe is a cellist. He was principal cellist for the Philadelphia Orchestra
between 1951 and 1964 and principal cellist for the New York Philharmonic
from 1964 through 1996. He was a featured soloist more than 150 times during the thirty-two seasons he played for the New York Philharmonic. His last performance with the orchestra as a member of the ensemble was on February 27, 1996; although he has since returned as a guest artist. He married violist
Janee Munroe
in 1945 with whom he had 10 sons and one daughter. His wife died 10 September 2006 after sixty-one years of marriage.
with a leg attached. After winning the Winnipeg Music Competition festival aged 10, when he turned 14 he was sponsored by Arthur Benjamin
to attend the Royal College of Music
in London from 1937–39. In his final year, he played with Benjamin a piece composed by Benjamin for him. His apprenticeship continued in Philadelphia, at the Curtis Institute of Music
, including as a protégé of Gregor Piatigorsky
.
After serving during World War II
, he completed his apprenticeship at the Curtis, and in 1949 won the Naumburg award
and made his recital debut in New York in November that year. From 1949–50 he performed with the Cleveland Orchestra
, before two positions as principal cello, first with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1950–51, and then the Philadelphia Orchestra
in 1951.
In 1964, he was invited by Leonard Bernstein
to become the principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic. This period also saw him performing as a soloist.
He also taught at the Juilliard School
and at the Philadelphia Musical Academy
(now University of the Arts).
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
between 1951 and 1964 and principal cellist for the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
from 1964 through 1996. He was a featured soloist more than 150 times during the thirty-two seasons he played for the New York Philharmonic. His last performance with the orchestra as a member of the ensemble was on February 27, 1996; although he has since returned as a guest artist. He married violist
Violist
-Notable violists:A* Julia Rebekka Adler * Sir Hugh Allen , conductor* Kris Allen * Johann Andreas Amon * Paul Angerer , composer* Steven Ansell * Atar Arad * Cecil Aronowitz...
Janee Munroe
Janee Munroe
Janee Munroe was an American violist and the wife of cellist Lorne Munroe.-Biography:Munroe spent her childhood and youth in Portland where she attended Grant High School and played first viola in the city's youth orchestra...
in 1945 with whom he had 10 sons and one daughter. His wife died 10 September 2006 after sixty-one years of marriage.
Career
When Munroe was three years old, he was taught to play the cello by using a violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
with a leg attached. After winning the Winnipeg Music Competition festival aged 10, when he turned 14 he was sponsored by Arthur Benjamin
Arthur Benjamin
Arthur Leslie Benjamin was an Australian composer, pianist, conductor and teacher. He is best known as the composer of Jamaican Rhumba, composed in 1938.-Biography:...
to attend the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
in London from 1937–39. In his final year, he played with Benjamin a piece composed by Benjamin for him. His apprenticeship continued in Philadelphia, at the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
, including as a protégé of Gregor Piatigorsky
Gregor Piatigorsky
Gregor Piatigorsky was a Russian-born American cellist.-Early life:...
.
After serving during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he completed his apprenticeship at the Curtis, and in 1949 won the Naumburg award
Walter W. Naumburg Foundation
The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation sponsors competitions and provides awards for young classical musicians in North America. It was founded in 1925 by Walter Wehle Naumburg, a wealthy amateur cellist and son of noted New York music patron and philanthropist Elkan Naumburg. Elkan Naumburg, owner of...
and made his recital debut in New York in November that year. From 1949–50 he performed with the Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
, before two positions as principal cello, first with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1950–51, and then the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
in 1951.
In 1964, he was invited by Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
to become the principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic. This period also saw him performing as a soloist.
He also taught at the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
and at the Philadelphia Musical Academy
University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
The University of the Arts is one of the United States' oldest universities dedicated to the arts. Its campus makes up part of the Avenue of the Arts in Center City, Philadelphia...
(now University of the Arts).