David Leisner

Jim McCutcheon of American Record Guide described Leisner’s “Charms to Soothe” solo album as “a lovely program”. He went on to report: “Grouped into a sonata-like work, 4 well-chosen pieces from Op. 148 by Mauro Giuliani are refreshing, with a strongly played and well-articulated `La Risoluzione’ followed by a light and dancelike scherzo that grows into a strong belly-laugh by the end… Recording quality is realistic, bringing us the subtleties of…

David Leisner’s latest composition publications are Eve’s Diary for soprano and guitar, set to texts by Mark Twain, and …empty mind, open heart… for solo guitar, written for Steve Cowan. Both are published by Doberman-Yppan/Les Productions d’Oz.

The September 2024 issue of Textura contained this review: “Distinguished by attention to detail, thoughtful consideration of pacing, and clear affection for the music…Leisner’s articulation is unfailingly precise and his interpretations illuminating. Executed with the kind of ease and authority that comes from decades of playing, the material impresses for its melodic richness, warmth, and clarity.” For the full review, please click here.

Göran Forsling of Music Web International wrote, “This is a disc for anyone, guitar lover or not, with a taste for beautiful and stimulating music in an intimate format, played with taste and devotion.” For the full review, please click here.

“Charms to Soothe” is David Leisner’s latest album for the Azica label, with 19th century solo guitar music by Sor, Giuliani, Mertz, Regondi and Schulz. Its release date is May 24, 2024, and it is a digital-only release. For more information and the liner notes, please click here.

Francesco Biraghi wrote a rave review in the Italian guitar magazine, Il Fronimo, of the “Letter to the World” album of Leisner vocal chamber music. Amongst other things, he wrote: “Leisner conquers us not only with the beauty of the music, but particularly with the coherence of musical expression in relation to the lyrics…A recording that deserves the highest praise. Some passages of great intensity will remain in our emotional…

Due to a cancellation, David Leisner was just added to the performer lineup for the upcoming Long Island Guitar Festival, April 22-28. His solo program will include music by Bach, Duarte, Leisner, Schubert, Winslow and Mertz, and will take place on Friday, April 26 at the Setauket Presbyterian Church in Setauket, NY. Other featured performers include Ana Vidovic, Eden-Stell Guitar Duo, Nicoletta Todesco, Huy Thanh Nguyen, Harris Becker, Ana Maria…

Two recordings, just released, include works by David Leisner. Guitarist Robert Nathanson commissioned two chamber works from Leisner in the last couple of years, and they are both included on his Duo Sureño album, called Continuum, on the Teal Music label. The pieces are: Singing to the Stars for soprano, violin, saxophone and two guitars, and Tsunami for soprano saxophone and guitar, with soprano Nancy King, saxophonist Laurent Estoppey, violinist…

“David Leisner’s performance of his own arrangements of the Schubert piano parts is extremely successful. Leisner very sensibly does not attempt a literal transcription of the piano parts but rather provides the essence of the original accompaniment as needed to support the voice…My ‘go to’ performance of this work is a version done by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau with Gerald Moore. Now at the risk of being accused of hyperbole, I will…

American Record Guide, in its March/April 2023 issue, found much to admire in Michael Kelly’s and David Leisner’s recorded interpretation of Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin on the Bright Shiny Things label. “Both artists perform commendably in this very intimate reading, which sets it apart strikingly from all the many recordings of it I’ve reviewed. Kelly uses his light lyric voice effectively with prudently applied rubato and lovely soft singing. His…