Internationally renowned classical guitarist David Leisner plays a live concert program with some pieces that are well-known and others that may be new to guitarists. One of the discoveries is the Sonata in b minor byWenzeslaus Matiegka (1773-1830) an unduly neglected composer that Leisner calls 'the Beethoven of the Guitar'. It’s a great addition to the Guitar repertoire. Another discovery is Leisner’s own Nel Mezzo: Sonata whichSoundboard magazine called 'an original and profoundly personal work...powerful angry and moving music'. Now played quite a bit the music of Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856) was virtually unknown when Leisner recordedand published some of his music almost 30 years ago. Here two of Mertz’s pieces display the passionate Romanticism of this music. The classics include the sublime Prelude Fugue and Allegro by J. S. Bach two delightful Rags byScott Joplin in Leisner’s arrangements and a dazzling encore of Etude No. 12 by Villa-Lobos.Leisner introduces each piece informally and is interviewed during intermission by Andrew Dickenson. Theinterview covers a number of topics in depth including some of Leisner’s secrets about easing physical tensions while playing the Guitar and his thoughts about the music he’s playing and about composition.
SKU: PR.14140086S
UPC: 680160618392. 9 x 12 inches. Text: Rosemary Thomas. Rosemary Thomas. Text by Rosemary Thomas.
Composed in 2004 for baritone Wolfgang Holzmair, Leisner's A Timeless Procession was premiered in 2011 with Thomas Meglioranza and the ENSO String Quartet at Symphony Space (New York City). Of that premiere, Art Leonard writes, The centerpiece of the program was the world premiere of Mr. Leisner's composition for baritone and string quartet, A Timeless Procession, setting a lengthy narrative poem by Rosemary Thomas about the parade of elephants past Carngie Hall when the circus came to town. This provided a nice balance of drama and humor... Of the music, itself, Leisner says, [Rosemary Thomas'] poem, The Elephants Pass Carnegie Hall, begins with an image, maybe real, maybe surreal, of circus elephants parading by Carnegie Hall, and ends with a sharp, mystical left turn into the prehistoric times of their ancestors. My piece views the poem through the lens of time - beginning with a primordial awakening, progressing into real time (the parade of elephants), and then through slow motion, frozen time, a return to real time (but with a surreal overlay of baritone falsetto), and finally, in the canonic last section, time past. For advanced performers.
SKU: PR.141401020
ISBN 9781491130629. UPC: 680160676422. 9 x 12 inches. English. Emily Dickinson, William Yeats, Emily Bronte, Elizabeth Bishop.
First known to the music world as a guitar recitalist, David Leisner turned to composing his own guitar repertoire, and soon expanded his work to create a rich catalog in the grand tradition of art songs for voice with guitar. Much beloved by singers for his poignant lyricism and powerful cultivation of meaningful texts, Leisner has also composed a wealth of art songs for voice with piano. The present collection is a selection of six songs from existing cycles for medium voice, on texts by Emily Dickinson, William Butler Yeats, Emily Bronte, and Elizabeth Bishop.
SKU: PR.141401010
ISBN 9781491130612. UPC: 680160676415. 9 x 12 inches. English. Emily Dickinson, Emily Bronte, Elissa Ely, Kenneth Patchen, Wendell Berry.
First known to the music world as a guitar recitalist, David Leisner turned to composing his own guitar repertoire, and soon expanded his work to create a rich catalog in the grand tradition of art songs for voice with guitar. Much beloved by singers for his poignant lyricism and powerful cultivation of meaningful texts, Leisner has also composed a wealth of art songs for voice with piano. The present collection is a selection of six songs from existing cycles for high voice, on texts by Emily Dickinson, Emily Bronte, Elissa Ely, Kenneth Patchen, and Wendell Berry.
SKU: PR.14440540S
UPC: 680160590711. 8.5 x 11 inches.
Leisner's Vision of Orpheus has brought world-class guitarist Jason Vieaux to comment, It's not easy to write substantial, intelligent, deeply emotional music that maintains its appeal to a wide range of listeners. David's first-rate! Read many more comments and listen to the work at WQXR. This is Leisner in his element, writing for his instrument. For advanced performers. Duration: 18'.
