In Memoriam: Stanley Drucker

by delarue

Stanley Drucker, credited by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest career of any classical clarinetist, died at his daughter’s home outside San Diego on December 19. He was 93.

Born in Brooklyn in 1929, Drucker was playing chamber music professionally by the time he was in his teens. After symphony orchestra positions in Indianapolis and Buffalo, Drucker joined the New York Philharmonic in 1948, at 19. He was appointed Principal Clarinetist in 1960 by Leonard Bernstein and held that position through 2009.

After his retirement from the orchestra, Drucker continued playing. At a 2014 performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, which he played from memory, his legendary technique and crystalline tone were undiminished, even after more than ten thousand concerts.

Throughout his career, Drucker championed contemporary composers; his best-known release on album is a 1980 recording of John Corigliano’s clarinet concerto with the Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. A fan of the Benny Goodman swing he grew up listening to, Drucker was also an accomplished jazz player.

Drucker is survived by several grandchildren as well as his clarinetist wife Naomi, his daughter Rosanne, and his son Lee Rocker, the bassist and co-founder of second-wave rockabilly legends the Stray Cats.

The Philharmonic has released a slideshow which includes highlights from throughout Drucker’s legendary career.