Leslie Craven - Clarinettist

Leslie Craven is currently Principal clarinettist of the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera and is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most accomplished and respected clarinettists in every musical genre.

Book cover After many years performing with London’s major orchestras and for T.V. and film sessions in the major studios, he settled in Wales in 1993 to enjoy a more pleasant lifestyle and to be part of W.N.O. - one of the world’s leading Opera companies.

He is recognized as one of the foremost teachers of clarinet not only in U.K. but worldwide and he has written a pedagogical book to help clarinettists and many articles for magazines and journals both in the U.K. and abroad. Leslie gives master classes in many notable establishments and consultations for mouthpieces and lessons in his studio at home. (Leslie’s book – Instant Help for Playing and Teaching the Clarinet is available from the Book page as a P.D.F. file for only £12 - some extracts are downloadable free on the Innovations page)

(Image for CD cover by kind permission of June Emerson
www.JuneEmersonArt.com)

NEW C.D. RELEASE : “EXPRESSIONS” Clarinet Classics CC0059
Recently Leslie recorded a vibrant, new Solo C.D. of original tonal works – and this has been released on Clarinet Classics – called “Expressions” .This terrific value C.D. offers almost eighty minutes of some beautiful and exciting new repertoire for clarinet and piano, clarinet and harp, clarinet duet, clarinet solo, and a trio for clarinet flute and piano. Excerpts from each track can be heard.
Much of the music on “Expressions” is published by June Emerson Wind Music. The C.D. is available from this site (see C.D. page) and also from Clarinet Classics.

“Craven plays …with a svelte woody sound and fluent technique …we should be grateful to him for introducing us to so much new material and the CD is well worth acquiring by all aspiring recitalists.” John Playfair in Clarinet & Saxophone

“Expressions is a CD of a variety of music for clarinet in several settings... the title Expressions is well conceived however because every piece is relaxing and has something to say …every number is worth the effort of listening to… Leslie Craven has a solid sound and although not a young man, one does not hear this in his playing. He sounds like a young virtuoso, a vigorous musician and plays the pieces enthusiastically, and expressively. His sound is warm and focused and his tone has feeling. …he plays on his own design mouthpiece, the `Leslie Craven model Mouthpiece `.” Paul Kaiser in De Klarinet

Also available exclusively from this site, the highly acclaimed “Leslie Craven Model” mouthpiece made to Leslie’s personal specification in U.S.A. by master craftsman Bradford Behn. (See mouthpiece page)

Do enjoy the visit and make use of Leslie’s expertise – he will answer most clarinet related questions by email and you may leave a message on his guest book if you wish and join his mailing list (at bottom of this page) to get the latest information about events and other news. There are many useful links in the Links pages and events such as the Clarinet Convention at the Royal Welsh College of Music are well documented on the clarinet convention page and also in the gallery.