lynn harrell (january 30, 1944 – april 27, 2020) was an american classical cellist. he was born in new york city. harrell made his recital debut in new york in 1971. he was the music director of the los angeles philharmonic institute from 1988 to 1992. from 1986 to 1993, he held the post of "gregor piatigorsky endowed chair in violoncello" at the university of southern california.