David Leisner

This year will see the release of four albums by David Leisner. The first is on the Azica label, a digital re-release of David’s 2010 album of music by Wenzeslaus Matiegka (1773-1830), which until now only had limited availability. His latest solo album for Azica will be released in the fall, a recording of early 19th-century gems by Sor, Giuliani, Schulz, Regondi and Mertz. David’s arrangement of Schubert’s Die Schöne…

David Leisner has two new commissions to write this summer. One is a work for saxophone and guitar, commissioned by guitarist Robert Nathanson. The other is a guitar concerto, commissioned by a very important guitarist whose name will be revealed as soon as the contract is signed. Stay tuned for further details.

For the New York Guitar Festival’s online video series, Remembering Julian Bream, David Leisner contributed a much-praised performance of Mauro Giuliani’s La Risoluzione, op. 148, no. 1.  Watch here.

The delightful guitarist/host of the Guitaromanie podcast series, Karl Wohlwend, conducted a fun and thoughtful interview with David in August, 2021. Topics covered included his past experience with focal dystonia, early guitar and composition training and self-taught background, his 5 recording projects ahead, duo recording with cellist Zuill Bailey, and the last 20 minutes or so is an in-depth talk about being gay in the guitar world and the world-at-large (starts at…

Yoga teaching master Nicole Newman and David Leisner will offer a one-time workshop online on Thursday, May 13, 2:00-3:30 pm EDT, called “The Breath and the Eyes: two paths to freedom in practice and performance”. They will be teaching 1) different approaches to breathing that facilitate practice, preparation just before performing, and performing, 2) exercises for the eyes that promote mental relaxation and prevent fatigue, and 3) ways to use…

David Leisner recently did an hour-long podcast with Juilliard faculty member, Dr. Noa Kageyama for his Bulletproof Musician website, on overcoming focal dystonia and learning to play with ease.  The lively and informative interview can be found here.

David Leisner’s Vapors for solo viola has been released by the Theodore Presser Co.  A 9-minute work in 2 movements, it is inspired by a large painting by Constance DeJong and is in a reductive, atonal language.  The score may be purchased at your favorite retail supplier, or on the Theodore Presser website.  A video of Mark Holloway’s commanding performance may be found on YouTube.

Baritone Michael Kelly and David Leisner have just completed a recording of Franz Schubert’s 20-song cycle, Die Schöne Müllerin, in David’s arrangement.  The legendary Judy Sherman was the producer.  The album will be released sometime next year.

The Room to Breathe series has added a bonus presentation of Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin, with baritone Michael Kelly, guitarist David Leisner and visual artist Kevork Mourad, who adds prerecorded animation and live illustration to the proceedings for an exciting concert experience. Oct. 10, 8:00 pm, EDT. Tickets available at: https://www.brightshiny.ninja/cell

BMI Jam Sessions series asked David Leisner to make a video for them with two of his compositions, Prelude (4 Pieces) and Shelter (Labyrinths).  It premieres Friday, August 14 at 3:00 pm on the BMI YouTube channel and will remain there afterwards.