Sad news: clarinettist Stanley Drucker - for six decades a member of the New York Philharmonic, many as principal - has died at the age of 93.

For Mr Drucker’s ninety-third birthday, I posted this:

Many Happy Returns to clarinettist Stanley Drucker – 61 years a member of the New York Philharmonic, 49 as principal – 93 today. Tribute video to him on retiring at the end of the 2008-9 season. Discusses & plays John Corigliano’s Clarinet Concerto. Also plays Copland’s Concerto with Bernstein conducting.

3 Comments

Edward Clark on December 21, 2022 at 2:21 pm

I think I have his recording of the Nielson concerto with Bernstein. I must have bought it 50 plus years ago. So his passing is a sadness to me.
Obviously a wonderful.musician.

Ates Orga on December 21, 2022 at 3:08 pm

In 1996 I was involved in Cala Records’ New York Legends series. Stanley Drucker’s album comprised a typical choice of repertory: Bernstein Clarinet Sonata; Debussy Premiere rapsodie and Petite piece; Siegmeister Prelude, Blues and Finale; Corigliano Soliloquy; Poulenc Sonata for Two Clarinets (with his wife Naomi) and Clarinet Sonata. A pleasure to annotate – the whole collection threw up New World gems even today relatively unfamiliar to Brits – it circulates currently on Spotify. One of Lenny’s great solo stars, projecting his fortes like a jazz man, there’s a grainy video of him playing Weber’s Concertino with Mehta in 1989 that endures searingly across the years – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR9oxnm66bY

Monica McCabe on December 21, 2022 at 3:45 pm

A great player, and something of a friend of John’s. Rest in peace.

Sad news: clarinettist Stanley Drucker – for six decades a member of the New York Philharmonic, many as principal – has died at the age of 93.

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