Diana Haskell
Quick Facts
Biography
Diana Haskell is an American clarinetist. She serves as associate principal clarinet and E-Flat clarinet with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Since her appointment in 2003, she has appeared numerous times as SLSO soloist with conductors such as Music Director David Robertson and Jahja Ling.
Haskell’s previous positions include assistant principal/E-Flat of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, as well as principal clarinet of Santa Fe Opera, Buffalo Philharmonic, Savannah Symphony Orchestra, and Charleston Symphony. She performed a solo recital in the Isaac Stern Auditorium/Carnegie Hall, as a finalist in the 1985 Naumberg Competition. She earned a bachelor of music degree from Eastman School of Music and a master of music degree from The Juilliard School. Her teachers include D. Stanley Hasty, Maria-Louisa Faini, Joseph Allard, Mitchell Lurie, and James Barkow.
Recordings
Haskell's CD, Clarinet Enchantments (AAM Recordings), also features George Silfies as pianist and clarinetist; Frances Tietov, principal harp with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; and Peter Henderson, piano. Her recording of Gian Carlo Menotti's Antony and Cleopatra.
Critical reception
The Clarinet Magazine: "...Ms. Haskell’s expressive qualities as a soloist are highlighted as she plays with a fluid and moving musical and tonal quality...Each selection [is] performed at the highest level, capturing all the subtleties and stylistic nuances necessary to make Ms. Haskell’s CD a must have..." (Steven Cohen)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “...Among the highlights was Rossini….this was a part that would challenge even a Marilyn Horne or Cecilia Bartoli. Haskell nailed it with terrific facility, lots of lyricism, and rich tone...” (Sarah Bryan Miller)