Klarinet Archive - Posting 000387.txt from 1994/11

From: Josias Associates <josassoc@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Marlboro clarinetists
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 16:21:40 -0500

Chris,

I can offer some first-hand information on one of the players on
your list, namely Dick Lesser. Dick played second clarinet for a year or two
with the Pasadena Symphony in California beginning about 1961 or 1962
(I played third clarinet [or assistant first to Frank Sabin] with the
Orchestra between 1959 and 1963). Shortly after leaving Pasadena,
Dick was engaged as Principal Clarinet in the Israel Philharmonic
Orchestra. He may still be there, although I'm not sure.

In 1975, Columbia issued a series of new vinyl LP recordings in
celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Marlboro Festival. One of the
recordings contained the Beethoven Wind Octet with a clarinet section
consisting of Harold Wright and Dick Lesser. Although I've heard other
recordings of the Beethoven Octet of comparable quality, the playing of
that clarinet section in that recording was, for me, the definitive one
for that composition.

Connie

Conrad Josias
La Canada, California