David Leisner

David Leisner is an extraordinarily versatile musician with a multi-faceted career as performing artist, composer and teacher. “Among the finest guitarists of all time” according to American Record Guide, he has an extensive discography on the Azica, Naxos, Telarc, Bright Shiny Things, Koch and Mel Bay labels. David Leisner's recent seasons as a soloist have taken him throughout the US, Canada and Mexico, Australasia and Europe. He is also a frequent guest at important chamber music festivals around the country. Celebrated for expanding the guitar repertoire, David Leisner has premiered works by many important composers, including David Del Tredici, Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, Philip Glass, Richard Rodney Bennett, Peter Sculthorpe and Osvaldo Golijov. He was also a pioneer in the rediscovery of 19th-century guitar composers, Johann Kaspar Mertz and Wenzeslaus Matiegka. Mr. Leisner is also a highly respected composer, whose music Fanfare magazine described as “rich in invention and melody, emotionally direct and beautiful”. His works are performed, recorded and published worldwide. His most recent commission is a concerto for guitar and full orchestra, Wayfaring, commissioned by legendary guitarist, Pepe Romero, premiered at the Hamptons Festival in New York in September 2023. A distinguished teacher as well, Leisner has served on the faculty of the New England Conservatory, is currently on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, teaches master classes around the world, and is a frequent adjudicator of international guitar competitions. His popular book, Playing with Ease, is published by Oxford University Press.

For more information, please visit David Leisner’s website:  www.davidleisner.com