David Leisner and Rufus Muller at Symphony Space- FABULOUS!!!!

On Friday October 18th, I was in the audience of one of the finest performances in my life!. As part of the Symphony Space "In the Salon" series, the "Guitar Plus" portion is in its sixth season of chamber music with the guitar with David Leisner as the Artistic Director. I have had the great joy of knowing this great genius for several decades now. David is a triple musical threat as he is an incredible virtuoso Guitarist, Supremely articulate Composer and outstanding teacher. Tonight was a concert to die for as David and the Marvelous Tenor Rufus Muller weaved a perfect web of superlative musicianship which left the audience completely entranced and thoroughly satisfied! Tenor Rufus Muller was sheer perfection on every possible level. His voice has an incredible facility and beauty. When needed he would open up those pipes and shake the rafters with his power and also hush us with delicate whispers perfectly articulated no matter what the volume. I can really appreciate his mastery as I am both a student of the voice and professional Guitarist. Rufus kept me on the edge of going crazy enjoying the beauty of his instrument and his perfect stage presence which brought the character of each and every song to perfect expression. For some songs he was seated and for others standing and producing both facially and bodily ever single nuance required to tell the story of each song. There I was 2nd row center to experience one of the greatest performances in my life "Up Close".
The program was everything composed by British Composer Benjamin Britten for Tenor and Guitar.These lovely gems were produced during a ten year period, 1953-1963 for Britten's partner Tenor Peter Pears and Legendary Guitarist Julian Bream. I was fortunate to have been able to enjoy that original duo of Julian Bream and Peter Pears a couple of times in the late 60s/early 70s and what magic they produced on stage!!!! That magnificent magic was thoroughly realized this night!!! Always superbly in sync for each and every note, David and Rufus knocked the ball out of the park with each and every song perfectly expressing every nuance and emotion requested. David ! OH MY BUDDY! That kid plays a mean Guitar!!!! He uses a great instrument from one of the giants in the history of Guitar making : JOHN GILBERT. John recently passed away but made his mark in the Classical Guitar world with his "Working Instruments"! I recommend you jump on to you tube and feast on the special documentary on John as he shares his craft with you in an easy and matter of fact style. I actually took a class with John at a GFA Convention held in Akron Ohio a couple of decades ago. It was for "Luthiers only" but I thought it was important to be there to get some knowledge of the craft. John Gilbert was completely down to earth and so easy going.
 Coming back to tonight's performance, David was ( as usual ) in total command of our lovely instrument with a supreme palette of  diverse articulation that only a Master Musician has at his/her disposal. Britten's accompaniments perfectly molded the thoughts expressed in these moving tone poems. The evening was like having a truly gourmet meal produced by two outstanding chefs! Each and every ingredient perfectly measured and blended!
 There was no intermission but Laura Kaminsky, Artistic Director of Symphony Space gave us "A Few Thoughts About Benjamin Britten". We learned about the total power of love and faithfulness between Britten and his partner Peter Pears and this was expressed at quite the right time as we are seeing more laws supporting the natural love between two people no matter what their orientation finally going forward!!.
 Getting back to the program, I didn't even mention the works: Folk Song Arrangements ( 1956,1958), The Second Lute Song of the Earl of Essex ( from Gloriana,1953) and the Songs from the Chinese, op. 58 (1957). An added plus to the program was the greatest Guitar Work as touted by Julian Bream, Britten's NOCTURNAL,op 70 ( 1963 ). The Nocturnal is seated right in back of me in my front room as I write this post and is one hell of a great piece of music. It is in the format of a theme and variations - REVERSED. That is to say  the Variations come before the main theme. The Nocturnal Musically travels through several states of sleep with such creative ingenuity and David Leisner's performance was masterful and sensitive in each and every dream state. It was never in any way a mirror image of the totally awesome Bream recording. I worked on these variations a couple of decades ago just for fun but never completed a final craft of the piece but was so moved by the creativity of the writing that I had to "TASTE IT"! This is one of the finest pieces in our literature and it was stunning in the way David crafted each variation. Tone quality was so pristine and the Leisner " WAND OF MAGIC " was overflowing. It is such majestic playing that makes me proud that I also enjoy the "Taste of the Plucked Universe of Guitar Strings".

Now for some really crazy moments I had leading up to the concert I must share with you!!!!

I was trying to order a senior discount ticket online as per Davids' instructions but got no where. I had my own gig from 4 to 7 pm and figured that I would come straight from the gig with my equipment. Since it was a gorgeous day I decided that no matter what the cost, I would take the easy trip to the box office. I assumed that the Symphony Space Box office would be opened at noon- WRONG. Got there at 12:40 and guard told me they opened at ONE!! Well, took a slow walk up a couple of blocks and found a "Housing Works" store near the corner of Broadway and 96th street. As usual I make a beeline to the books and as my luck would have it , the recently published book on Benjamin Britten authored by Wilson was right there. It was a preview copy with no pictures or music but I said "Get IT" . The price was $5 and I didn't want to pay that as I could easily get a library copy later. I put the book where I could easily remember if I changed my mind. So I head back to the space to buy my ticket at 1pm and who do I bump into - DAVID and his wonderful partner RALPH! I told David I had a 3 hour gig before his performance but that I would be there. He reminded me that the program will be on the short side so I should try to make it on time or miss some of the performance. After paying for my ticket, I decided it would be a hoot to pick up the Britten Biography and read a few pages in preparation for the evening performance. Lo and Behold the book was not where I left it!!!! I slowly canvassed the whole book section and said to myself : Not for me today! As I took a couple of steps away I said: You really want that book so look in every nook and crannie before leaving! As usual for me, I slowed my search down and found the book tucked away on top of one of the lower shelves!!! YEAH! YIPPEE!! On my way back home I glanced at the introduction in which Wilson states that this will not be a "Musical" biography so there were no examples ( which I really wanted ) . I know that there are a couple of books on the Music of Britten but the prices scared me away for now! So instead of staying at my gig from 4 to 7 , I left around 6 and took my Guitar/Amp/Seat back home, kissed my gorgeous wife and decided to leave my Britten Biography home so my listening pleasure would not be too tainted with too much information. I wanted the music to speak to me sound to heart and it surely did all evening!! I must also comment on the excellent program notes and words to the songs! DAVID - You are a glowing example of what it means to be an excellent and thoughtful musician and human being and I am so happy to have such a sensitive person as a part of my life.
David Leisner only works with the best and I look forward to future great performances of this giant of our craft! I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU RUFUS! I checked out your POSSE of students and fans and it was fun to be encircled with such an outpouring of love for you and your gift! Your singing really,really moved me ( as I told you ).
I know this was a long post but I had so much to share with you and I wanted to get it all in. It is experiences like this that make me feel so "ALIVE". Great  Music by and from great Musicians is Priceless and consumes the soul with the deepest of emotions. Damn! It is 2:45 am and I have an early morning gig but it is worth every sleepy moment.I proofed most of this post but hope I got my points clearly across to you. Please forgive me if I goofed. I am dead tired with my eyeballs hanging out their sockets! Later!