Robert Spring

Robert Spring, described as “one of this country’s most sensitive and talented
clarinetists”, Arizona Republic, “dazzled his audience…flawless technique”, The
Clarinet Magazine, and “a formidable soloist…played with great emotional life”
Copenhagen, Denmark, Politiken. His recording of Joan Tower’s works for clarinet was described by The Clarinet Magazine as “truly outstanding….one would be hard pressed to find better performances of contemporary music ” The Instrumentalist Magazine says of his recording, “Dragon’s Tongue”, “His musicality and technique make this recording a must for every CD collection.” Fanfare Magazine says of the CD, “Tarantelle”, “This recording was meant to amaze and, man, it succeeds.”

The America Record Guide writes of his recording of the Copland Clarinet Concerto, “Spring is fabulous in the Copland. His phrasing is elegant swing tailored with great flow and a spread of tone colors and expressive subtleties. His low-and mid-range are especially warm, rich, and embracing and highly effective in the
introduction and in the bridge to the jazzy finale. And boy what a finale! The pace is neatly judged to pick up at critical junctures so that, by the end, it feels like an improvised jam session.”

Spring attended the University of Michigan where he was awarded three degrees, as well as the “Citation of Merit Award”. He was President of the International Clarinet Association from 1998-2000. He is presently Professor of Clarinet at Arizona State University. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese Clarinet Association and an Honorary Membership in the International Clarinet Association. Dr. Spring is a Henri Selmer Paris Artist and performs on the Privilège clarinet.

Recordings