Lynne Turner joined
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1962, shortly after becoming the first
American to win first prize in Israel’s International Harp Competition. Born in
Saint Louis, she came to Chicago at the age of 4 and started piano lessons with
her mother, Evelyn, at the age of 8. Her father, Sol Turner, was a member of
the first violin section of the Orchestra for 20 years. When she was 10, he
introduced her to the harp, which became her chosen instrument. Turner studied
with Alberto Salvi in Chicago and with Pierre Jamet at the Paris Conservatory;
she graduated with highest honors, earning the première prix, première
nommée, hors concours.
After completing her studies in Paris, Turner auditioned for CSO music director
Fritz Reiner; she was 21 years old when she joined the Orchestra, the youngest
musician in a major American orchestra at that time. In subsequent years, she
has appeared with orchestras throughout the world, has participated in numerous
chamber music series, and she has served as acting principal harp of the CSO.
She has been on
the faculties of DePaul University and Lake Forest College and currently
teaches privately. Lynne was chosen as one of 12 judges for the 17th
International Harp Competition, held in Israel in October 2009; Maestro Zubin
Mehta serves as president of the competition. In celebration of Israel’s 50th
anniversary, Turner performed at a gala concert in Jerusalem featuring
first-prize winners of the Israel contest—a distinguished group representing Australia,
France, Italy, Japan and Romania, as well as the U.S. The performances at this
event are featured in The Harps of Jerusalem: An International Celebration,
a forthcoming documentary produced by her son Bennett, who has made a number of
award-winning films for PBS. (He is currently at work on Electoral
Dysfunction, a feature-length documentary, hosted by Daily Show veteran
Mo Rocca, which takes an irreverent look at voting in America.) Other artists
in Lynne’s family include her daughter Rachel, a photo stylist and interior
decorator based in New York, and her brother Richard, principal harp of the
Winnipeg Symphony.
A gourmet cook extraordinaire, Turner says that in addition to music, “creating
beautiful food in a stylish setting is an art form I greatly enjoy.” She is
married to Dr. Albert Tennenbaum, an ophthalmologist, who shares her passion
for classical music, traveling, gardening, photography and bringing together
friends for dinner parties.
Turner is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Women
and Who’s Who in Entertainment, among other publications.
September 2012
