reviews

Voices of Ascension: Tracing the Path of Zurbarán’s “Jacob and His Twelve Sons”

“Voices of Ascension’s most recent concert — a triumphant and gorgeous offering…It’s hard to remember, in recent New York City cultural life, as marvelously and coherently coordinated an intellectual and artistic evening.”
TheatreScene.net
March 2018

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LAS TRES ANNAS

“We also enjoyed the contribution of the English Horn, played by Diane Lesser, which added greatly to the beauty of “La maja dolorosa, No. 1”. Borja Mariño’s piano was exceptionally fine throughout with much marcato and staccato…successfully imitated the guitar.”
VOCE DI MECHE
December 2015

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Review: The New York Pops Play ‘Psycho,’ ‘Batman’ and More in ‘The Best of Hollywood”

“Principal oboist Diane Lesser was the star of “Suite from The Mission” which featured the tender piece ‘Gabriel’s Oboe.’ Her musical sensitivity lent a tenderness and shape to each note as her part floated just above the rest of the orchestra and finally melded seamlessly into the warm brass at the end of the piece.”
StageBuddy.com
March 2018

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ARTS: OK Mozart’s Grand Finale Concert

“…Opening the evening was Rossini’s Overture to “L’Italiana in Algeri,” which featured principal oboist Diane Lesser, whose playing percolating through the music like that laughing, lilting voice of the young woman of the opera’s title…”
Tulsa World
June 14, 2015

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Greenwich Symphony Offers a Treat

“…The evening closed with the youthful Symphony in C by Bizet. This is a symphony that features oboe solos in the first and second movements and oboist Diane Lesser played them with great skill and musical sensitivity. Gilbert took all the repeats in the work (which gives the music its proper proportion) but also gave us the chance to hear how Lesser could rethink the solos, bringing out different shades and alternative meanings.”
Greenwich Time
November 28, 2013

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A Concert of Quirky Gems Becomes a Memorial

“Tuesday’s concert began with the Fugal Concerto for Oboe and Flute by Holst…The final Allegro weaves in a jig with unexpected rhythmic accents that is based on an old English folk tune, “If All the World Were Paper.” The oboist Diane Lesser and the flutist Sato Moughalian played with poise and musicality. William Meredith, on English horn, joined Ms. Lesser for Bach’s Duet From Cantata No. 78, in an instrumental arrangement by Mr. Simon that brought out its joyfully animated character.”
The New York Times
January 23, 2013

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Fantastic four: GSO soloists, in concert with entire orchestra, help make first performance of season ‘riveting and exciting’

“First chair GSO players, Concertmaster Krystof Wytek, cellist Daniel Miller, oboist Diane Lesser, and bassoonist Mark Davies, were essentially a stand-alone chamber music ensemble backed by the Symphony in the Haydn ‘Sinfonia.’ The lovely Allegro began in violin, joined by bassoon, then moved to an interplay with the oboe, and a restatement of the main theme. A coda for the soloists slowed, then returned to the work’s upbeat tempo. Violin and bassoon opened the Andante, joined and capably backed by the orchestra in a consonant section. The lively opening of Allegro con spirito featured both the showmanship and bowmanship of Witek and Miller, who were challenged into the highest registers with rapidly ascending passages, which they tossed off with ease.”
Greenwich Citizen
Thursday, January 31, 2013

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An Outdoor Concert Takes Shelter in a Church

“A Haydn Sinfonia Concertante in B flat, for example, was graceful and trim, finely balanced and beautifully nuanced. It was illuminated too by fine solo playing from Eriko Sato, violinist; Lutz Rath, cellist (the festival’s music director); Diane Lesser, oboist; and Harry Searing, playing bassoon.”
The New York Times
July 14, 2010

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LI Philharmonic celebrates with 30th birthday concert

“…the musicians presented the so-called “Unfinished” Symphony in B Minor by Franz Schubert. The performance demonstrated beautiful phrasing, dramatic and compelling silences, and wide dynamic contrasts.  Particularly notable were principal oboe Diane Lesser’s oboe solos and Pascal Archer’s clarinet playing.”
The LI Press
November 14, 2009

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Gluck’s La Corona in Concert at Merkin Hall
 Danielle Munsell Howard made her New York debut as the prince Meleager[sic] and had plenty to be happy about…she sang very well and appealingly, especially in her aria with the oboist, Diane Lesser.”
The New York Times
January 27, 2005

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Deafness and Contempt Shape a Mass

“The evening’s curtain raiser was Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante in B flat, featuring a quartet of string and wind soloists. It was wonderful music in the wrong place. Sound slowly rebounding from high ceilings and distant walls smothered Haydn’s elegance in a kind of rich sonic goo. It’s not that the music wasn’t heard; it was heard several times too many. Jorge Avila was the strong violinist in both pieces. Diane Lesser as oboist and Charles McCracken as bassoonist were first-rate. Arthur Fiacco played the cello part.”
The New York Times
April 23, 2005

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‘St. Matthew Passion’ Form a Group Worthy of Its Name

“Mitsuru Tsubota, a violinist, and Diane Lesser, an oboist, were especially impressive in solo turns.”
The New York Times

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“In Diane Lesser’s flawless performance (Schumann Romances), the instrument came into its own, the artist showing its full range and tonality.”
Greenwich Citizen
November 14, 2008

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“The oboe work by Lesser was deft and virtuosic with lively runs well performed.”
Greenwich Citizen
September 30, 2005

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“Throughout the score, the solo work of oboist Diane Lesser was the equal of any I’ve heard in this work. (Brahms Symphony #1)”
Greenwich Time
January 21, 2005

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“What is there to say about the playing by principal oboist Diane Lesser except that the GSO is lucky to have her. In both the Handel and Brahms, her extended solos were wonderfully expressive—what communication through music is all about. And she does it on a notoriously cranky instrument that looks like a balustrade powered by two finicky popsicle sticks. I’ve never heard the solo in the Brahms played better.”
Greenwich Time
October 8, 2003

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“…Highlighted by oboist Diane Lesser’s moving performance.”
Tulsa World
June 25, 2003

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“In the Strauss Oboe Concerto… she is an extraordinary artist. Her delicacy of phrasing, her mastery of the oboe’s upper register, which Strauss uses relentlessly, was exemplary. Words can never express the real beauty of music. Lesser’s every inflection, her tenderness of expression, the magic of her poetic inspiration, were a continual joy. She captured every moment of caprice, every humorous sally, and all the music’s lyrical flow with beauty. The audience, and particularly the members of the orchestra, were wild with enthusiasm.”
Greenwich Time
February 9, 2000