Laurence Liberson

Clarinet

A native of Detroit, Laurence Liberson has been Assistant Principal Clarinet and E-flat Clarinetist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 1981.

His early training on the clarinet began at the age of 10 with Detroit-area clarinetist Nicholas Cannici. Subsequent studies were with Herbert Couf, former Principal Clarinet of the DSO; William Stubbins at the University of Michigan; and Paul Schaller, also a former DSO Principal Clarinet. Liberson received his bachelor’s degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Michigan.

Prior to his appointment to the DSO, Liberson served as Principal Clarinet of the Grand Rapids Symphony for five seasons. There, he was featured in solo and chamber works, including performances of the Copland Concerto and the Mozart Sinfonia concertante. He was featured as a soloist with the DSO in August 1987, performing Debussy’s Premiere rapsodie.
Active in the Detroit area as a recitalist and a chamber musician, Liberson has been a member of Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings since its inception in 1982, and has participated in the Casals Festival, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, the Lucerne Easter Music Festival and the Bravo! Colorado Music Festival. Additionally, he teaches privately and has presented master classes in clarinet and chamber music at such diverse places as the Universities of Colorado, Texas and Buffalo, Cornell University and the Interlochen Arts Camp.

In his spare time Larry enjoys reading, films, crossword puzzles, bicycling, skiing, in-line skating and cooking. His greatest claim to fame, however, is taking second prize in a statewide chocolate cake-baking contest.❖