David Leisner

Take Effect just published a lovely review of last year’s album release, “Charms to Soothe”. “Mertz’s ‘Nocturne, op. 4. no. 2’ opens the listen with Leisner’s warm and inviting guitar playing that instantly draws us in…Near the end, ‘Two Etudes’, courtesy of Regondi, is a mesmerizing and rich album highlight that benefits much from Leisner’s meticulous craft, and two pieces from ‘Bardenklänge, op. 13’ exits with a colorful and enlightening…

David Leisner will be accepting DMA students at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York as of 2026-27. It is a 5-year program with 2 years of courses and a rigorous academic component. Only 9 students are accepted in the entire Music program each year, all with full tuition scholarships, and 2 with additional fellowships. Click here for more information.

The recent performance of Leisner’s Singing to the Stars (soprano, violin, saxophone and 2 guitars) is now up on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUfuamlmAKc. Also on that concert was the premiere of As Wind in Shells (soprano, violin and guitar). Both works were commissioned by guitarist Rob Nathanson.

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…