She is a harpist born in St. Louis, Missouri who moved with her family when she was 4 years old when her father, Sol Turner, joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a violinist. She started playing the piano with her mother and when she was 10 years old her father introduced her to the harp. Her brother, Richard, also plays the harp and became Principal Harp with the Winnepeg Symphony Orchestra in 1977. She studied at the Paris Conservatory where she earned the premiere prix, premiere nommee, hors concours and graduated with honours.
She made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when she was 14 years old and was first prize winner of the International Harp Festival in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1962. That same year, when she was 21, she was taken on as one of the youngest members to have been given a position in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Since that time and still performing with the orchestra after 60 years, she has performed under many acclaimed conductors and has been on more than 50 international tours.
As a guest musician she has performed with ensembles and orchestra that include the Israel Philharmonic, the New York Woodwind Quartet and the Siena Festival Orchestra.
Recordings she has performed on include Corigliano: Symphony No. 1, Arnold Schonberg: Verklarte Nacht Op. 4/Piano Pieces Op. 11 & 19/Five Orchestral Pieces Op. 16. Wagner: Overtures and Preludes, Carter/Berio/Takemitsu: Partita-Continuo-Visions and Brahms: Violin Concerto/Sonata No. 3 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
In the field of musical education she has been on the faculties of Lake Forest College and DePaul University. She has been a juror for the 2017 Vancouver International Music Competition and judge at the 17th International Harp Competition in Israel and has taken part in the CSO’s outreach educational program.
She has been named in several Who’s Who listings.
Sources:
- https://csosoundsandstories.org/touring-remains-an-exciting-experience-for-cso-harp-lynne-turner/
- http://www.harpcontest-israel.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/gala-concert-artists.pdf
- https://vancouvercompetitioncom.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lynne-a-turner.pdf
- https://outlet.historicimages.com/products/rse17125
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/4003890-Lynne-Turner