Herb Blayman
Herbert S. Blayman was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1921. He graduated from the Julliard School of Music in 1939, where he studied clarinet with Arthur Christmann. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he joined the Metropolitan Opera orchestra in 1950. During his 30-year tenure as principal clarinet with the Met, he performed under the batons of James Levine, George Szell, Leopold Stokowski, Erich Leinsdorf, Pierre Monteaux, Fritz Stiedry, and countless others.
Musical Excerpts
Herb’s artistry can be heard in the excepts below, gathered from throughout his playing career.
The Barber of Seville - Rossini
1959 - The Metropolitan Opera, Conducted by Erich Leinsdorf
RCA Victor Records, LSC 6143
1973 - The Metropolitan Opera, Conducted by Leonard Bernstein
Deutsche Grammophon, 2709 043
Clarinet Candy - Leroy Anderson
1988 - The Leroy Anderson Collection
MCA Classics, MCAD2-9815
In addition to Herb, this recording features soloists Vincent Abato, Roger Hiller and Hernard Portnoy.