As the younger brother of a saxophone player, Andrew Lowy says he was bound to pick up a woodwind instrument at some point. When he came across the clarinet as a child, he found that it surprisingly fit his personality just right.
“It’s kind of like a chameleon in that it’s really adept at matching the colors of all the different instruments,” Lowy says. “It can play with other woodwinds or brass, and it plays very well with strings—some of the greatest chamber music was written for clarinet and strings.”
Playing the clarinet has taken Lowy from his hometown of Hastings-on-Hudson in New York, to Manhattan, Boston, Raleigh, Los Angeles, and several other cities. Being able to adapt to new environments and keep up with an ever-growing repertoire of music is a crucial skill for professional performers.
Lowy joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2014 as second and E-flat clarinet. “[My instruments have] a huge range, both dynamically and in literally how low and high they can play. I love that versatility and really connect with it.”
Lowy shares some of his most cherished moments with the LA Phil, his advice to concertgoers, and the music that incites the most emotion within him below.
Can you tell us about the biggest highlights of your career with the LA Phil so far?
I’m somebody who loves the Hollywood Bowl, so every year, I look forward to playing there. It’s such a unique place because it’s part of the fabric of the city—a democratic environment where anybody can afford to come see a great concert.
It’s also just a social thing. Almost every night, there’ll be somebody texting me from the audience, telling me that they’re there with a friend, and I just love that we’re able to share amazing music with the entire community.
The John Williams concerts are always so thrilling. To be on stage, playing “The Imperial March” and seeing thousands of light sabers going to
Some of the other great moments I loved were playing on stage at the Oscars [in 2019] and going on tour in Asia and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Which piece of music…
…gives you chills?
The first time I played with the LA Phil, we were performing Mahler’s Fifth Symphony with Gustavo. It starts with this solo trumpet, and then the entire orchestra comes in on this huge, tutti entrance—just being enveloped in that sound gave me the chills.
I could list off a piece every week that gives me the chills because when you’re on stage with 100 incredible musicians, it creates this amazing sonic force. To be part of that always, always moves me.
…makes you smile?
Mozart’s Serenade for Winds (Gran Partita). The last movement, especially, is a very boisterous, rollicking good time with all these woodwind players. It kind of reminds me of being a young band student—just enjoying the thrill of playing loud and fast. I don’t think anybody does joy and excitement as well as Mozart.
…brings you to tears?
I would say the Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss. They were written at the very end of his life, and they’re just some of the most profound, deep, and moving pieces I’ve ever heard. I think my all-time favorite recording is Jessye Norman singing it with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Anytime I need a good cry, that’ll be the piece I turn to. She sings with such powerful expression, and the way her voice weaves in and out of the orchestra is really magical.
Hindemith’s Kleine Kammermusik is on the program for your upcoming chamber concert. What comes to mind when you play this piece?
This may have actually been the first woodwind quintet I ever played. I remember playing it when I was 16 years old at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division on Saturdays. I was in this really great group of five young, enthusiastic woodwind players. It’s a standard piece, but it’s super fun and exciting to be playing again. I’m not sure if I’ve even played it since I was 16 years old! It’ll be fun to rediscover it as a professional now.
What was the best piece of advice you received as a student?
In high school, my teacher would always encourage me to seek music that was outside of playing the clarinet. Our jobs are very demanding, and they require a lot of hours maintaining your craft and doing work that can be a little tedious. It’s really important to remember why you do it and to renew your inspiration. Seeking out singers or different instrumentalists can help you remember the joy of music-making.
Would you say the same to other music enthusiasts?
Of course. The easy thing for a lot of people—and I can be guilty of this too—is to go see a program of music that you know well, and you know you will love.