EMMA JOHNSON - PROJECTS
THE TREE OF LIFE PROJECT
The environment, our planet and the future of our children are all very important to Emma. These values are reflected in her “Tree of Life” project. Future performances in festivals and venues will raise awareness and funds for local green charities.
The premiere was at the Lamberhurst Festival which was eagerly anticipated:
“Emma will be performing with a 13 strong orchestra especially put together for this concert and called ‘Orchestra for the Environment’. The orchestra will consist of 11 string players, a harpist, drum kit player and Emma on clarinet.
I am absolutely delighted to be able to say that Emma has chosen Lamberhurst to premiere her new work ‘Tree of Life’. This piece was inspired by Emma’s wish to say something about the climate emergency. The piece lasts about 20 minutes and has 4 parts: In the Beginning, Bacchanalia, The Truth of Things, and Resolution. The music sets up a natural landscape which is shattered by partying and machine-like configurations in the second movement. Then comes realisation of the harm that has been done and the fourth part deals with finding acceptance and resolution.
Because of the nature of Emma’s new piece, we have agreed to a donation from the sales of all tickets, to go to Kent Wildlife Trust which cares for the environment.”
Marc Lodge (Director) Lamberhurst Festival
The full programme for the concert is:
Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves
Emma Johnson Tree of Life
Paul Reade Suite from the Victorian Kitchen Garden
Tchaikovsky Serenade
Emma Johnson, Think Women’s 40 Outstanding Global Women 2023
If you’re a promoter interested in putting on The Tree of Life please call Jonny Hennessey-Brown on 07939 597760
CONCERTO PERFORMANCES
Emma appears as soloist with orchestras in a wide range of repertoire from concertos by Mozart, Weber, Crusell and Rossini to Copland and Finzi. In order to widen the existing repertoire she has had wonderful new works dedicated to her by Will Todd, Patrick Hawes, John Dankworth, Michael Berkeley, Matthew Taylor, Paul Reade and many others. On the lighter side she has also built up a large catalogue of encores.
“As a one-time clarinet player, I know only too well the vicissitudes of playing the instrument, yet, in Emma’s hands, the wide range of expression she evoked, her seemingly effortless virtuosic skill, and her undoubted musicality produced an unprecedented effect.”
– Cambridge Evening News
IN RECITAL
The repertoire for clarinet with piano is unusually wide ranging and a typical Emma Johnson recital will cover ground from Classical to Romantic through to Modernist and even jazz.
Ambassador Auditorium Los Angeles (with Malcolm Martineau, piano)
“The charismatic English musician offered an interesting and accessible, mostly 20th century program, a lively stage presence, engaging spoken comments on the music and a performing persona both intimately and forcefully communicative. In Schumann’s Fantasiestucke she went right to the heart of its lyricism, shaping alluring, ethereal and dappled phrases as need be. To John Ireland’s 1943 Fantasy Sonata and Poulenc’s 1962 Sonata she brought a volatility of expression, searing and vehement one moment, breakable and intimate the next. She captured the sweet melancholy of the central movement of the Poulenc perfectly.”
– Los Angeles Times
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford (with Pascal Rogé, piano)
“One of the few clarinettists to forge a successful solo career, Emma Johnson has built her reputation on her eclectic programming and sublime powers of expression – as she vividly demonstrated at the Sheldonian on Saturday night. This was more than just a mere recital; this was a masterclass in how to combine technique with dramatic and emotional involvement in the music, while showcasing the clarinet’s extraordinary versatility in both character and tone. Whether playing Aaron Copland’s reflective Nocturne or Bernstein’s jazz-inspired sonata, Ms Johnson finds the appropriate voice in her instrument, and commands the attention with her inspired playing.”
Oxford Times
EMMA JOHNSON AND FRIENDS
Johnson’s own group, Emma Johnson and Friends, performs and records in formations from trios to Octets. Invited players include the likes of Raphael Walfisch, Martin Roscoe and the Carducci Quartet. The group’s recent live recording of the Schubert Octet has had some great reviews: .
"There’s a strong feeling of a group of like-minded musicians revelling in playing life-enhancing music for pleasure and as a team. I enjoyed this expert and always smiling performance very much indeed and it’s evident from the vociferous applause at the end that the audience enjoyed it just as much.
With an hour and a quarter of delightful music in first-rate performances this disc is a winner."
- John Quinn, Music Web International
"Their performance of Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps was grandly expressive. Johnson’s clarinet added power and colour to the lyrical high register of the strings; her sound exudes both stinging pain and heavenly acceptance ....a truly riveting experience."
- Gronings Dagblad
Tales from Vienna with John Suchet
““What a triumph! That was the perfect final concert and the town is still buzzing!” ”
Experience the magic of Vienna in its heyday with classic music of the era played by Emma Johnson and Friends highlighted by fascinating insights from writer and radio presenter, John Suchet, and illustrated with photos and paintings of the era.
Vienna in the 19th century was an extraordinary city, a hotbed of musical creativity that nurtured Beethoven, Brahms, Strauss and Schubert. But hidden under the apparently harmless mania for wine, women and song were germinating the seeds of social discontent that would trigger the First World War.
“Such an enjoyment of music making with technically superb, charismatic playing......Emma Johnson’s Strauss arrangements are as frothy as a glass of bubbly!”
JAZZ TRIO
Clarinet Goes to Town
Together with John Lenehan, piano and Paul Clarvis, drums, Emma explores the roots of jazz whilst paying tribute to some of the greatest clarinettists of all time – Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.
“This is a fabulous experience, a trio par excellence – ebullient, reflective, historical and unquestionably uplifting. Quite brilliant”
– Philip Dukes, Artistic Director, Marlborough Concert Series 2015
“I would give it more than five stars were it possible!”
“A delightful evening! Wonderful musicianship and such enthusiasm and joy in playing”
“We had a terrific time. Emma Johnson’s performance was sparkling in every way. The mix of informative contextual history and consummate performances from all three musicians was unforgettable.”
“Five stars, a really excellent concert, one of the best we have ever been to.”
– Audience feedback comments after the trio’s debut performance in St George’s Bristol 2015
WITH CHOIR/SCHOOLS
Emma was recently commissioned to write Songs of Celebration, for clarinet and upper voices. The songs have been performed in London, Dublin, Tokyo and Canada. Emma enjoys performing them herself with choirs at Christmas and Easter alongside some well known music she has arranged for clarinet and choir. It's about time that clarinettists had something to play during the festive season! There are four songs in the Suite celebrating aspects of the Christmas Story and the sheet music is available from Encore Publications
She has also written Christmas Suite for clarinet and choir. Check the music out on her latest CD
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9363722--songs-of-celebration
“This is a very attractive and enjoyable set of Christmas songs. The music is well written for young voices in that it gives them something to get their teeth into and a suitable – but not excessive – level of challenge.” John Quinn Musicweb-international