Jacqueline Mary du Pré OBE (January 26, 1945 – October 19, 1987) was an English cellist. Born in Oxford, Jacqueline du Pré is acknowledged as one of the greatest cellists who ever lived. She had a successful career until the onset of the multiple sclerosis which eventually led to her tragically early death.
Throughout her career, du Pré performed with prestigious orchestras and soloists. In particular, her recording of the Elgar concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir John Barbirolli in 1965 brought her international recognition. For this performance, she used her second Stradivarius — the 1712 Davydov Stradivarius — which was given to her by an admirer and her godmother, Ismena Holland.
In 1973, Jacqueline du Pré's playing abilities began an irreversible decline when the artist began to lose sensitivity in her fingers. It was the beginning of symptoms of her multiple sclerosis, the disease that caused her health to deteriorate until her death in London on October 19, 1987, at the age of 42. Barenboim was with her when she died. She left her Davidov Stradivarius to Yo-Yo Ma, while Lynn Harrell acquired the 1673 Stradivarius (which he named the 'du Pré' Stradivarius as a tribute to the cellist).
About Lynn Harrell:
Harrell made his recital debut in New York in 1971 and since then has performed internationally as a recitalist, chamber music player, and soloist with orchestras. He is a renowned teacher who has taught at prestigious music schools and conservatories, including the Royal Academy London, the Aspen Music Festival, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Juilliard School. He served as the Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute from 1988-1992. Currently, he is on the faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and lives in Houston, Texas with his wife, the violinist Helen Nightengale, and their daughter, Hanna.
