Biography
'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.' Oxford Times 2010
On February 6th 2009, Emma went into the Classic FM studios to talk about her new recording of works by Sir John Dankworth, Bernstein and Copland.
Emma was interviewed by Radio 4's Woman's Hour on Monday July 6 2009. The interview covered topics ranging from the way singers have inspired Emma, through to her newfound interest in Klezmer music.
You can listen to the broadcast on the Radio 4 web site here.
You can listen to the broadcast on the Radio 4 web site here.
On February 9, BBC Radio 4 broadcast a programme Emma made about the relationship between the poet John Milton and his composer father, John Milton senior.
You can listen to the broadcast on the Radio 4 web site here.
You can listen to the broadcast on the Radio 4 web site here.
In January 2007, Emma took part in an interesting recording for BBC Radio 3. Emma rehearsed and performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood. The rehearsal was open to the audience as well as the performance and they had the opportunity to ask the performers questions about the music while listening to them work on the concerto. The programme, in the Discovering Music slot was recorded for broadcast on the 18th February 2007.
You can listen to the broadcast on the Radio 3 web site here.
You can listen to the broadcast on the Radio 3 web site here.
April 2010
In February, Emma was playing at a Gala Concert in the Stables Theatre, Wavendon when Dame Cleo Laine announced the sad news that her husband, Sir John Dankworth, had died. All the performers including Victoria Wood, Maureen Lipman and Emma had been shocked to be informed before the concert, but the event went ahead and the audience were only told at the end. He will be sorely missed. Emma is very proud of her long association with Sir John, and of the Suite for Emma and Concerto that he wrote for her.
In February, Emma was playing at a Gala Concert in the Stables Theatre, Wavendon when Dame Cleo Laine announced the sad news that her husband, Sir John Dankworth, had died. All the performers including Victoria Wood, Maureen Lipman and Emma had been shocked to be informed before the concert, but the event went ahead and the audience were only told at the end. He will be sorely missed. Emma is very proud of her long association with Sir John, and of the Suite for Emma and Concerto that he wrote for her.
The world premiere of Stephen Barlow's Nocturne for clarinet, strings and marimba, written for Emma, was broadcast by Radio 3 on April 20.
Listen to the program here.
March 2008
Emma has been busy giving concerts in the 2007/8 season, including a recital in the Cadogan Hall in London, and concerts with the Endellion Quartet at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and other venues.
This month sees the launch of Emma's new masterclass videos at icanplayit.com. Emma has recorded 32 short videos covering various aspects of clarinet technique and performance that regularly crop up in the masterclasses she gives round the world. She hopes there will be something of interest for clarinet players of all abilities.
Also soon to be launched is Emma's new book of pieces for clarinet and piano. Published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd, The Emma Johnson Collection will feature several of the arrangements from Emma's most recent two recordings - Voyage and The Mozart Album - including pieces by Einaudi, John Barry, Morricone, Mozart, Verdi and many others.
Emma has been busy giving concerts in the 2007/8 season, including a recital in the Cadogan Hall in London, and concerts with the Endellion Quartet at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and other venues.
This month sees the launch of Emma's new masterclass videos at icanplayit.com. Emma has recorded 32 short videos covering various aspects of clarinet technique and performance that regularly crop up in the masterclasses she gives round the world. She hopes there will be something of interest for clarinet players of all abilities.
Also soon to be launched is Emma's new book of pieces for clarinet and piano. Published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd, The Emma Johnson Collection will feature several of the arrangements from Emma's most recent two recordings - Voyage and The Mozart Album - including pieces by Einaudi, John Barry, Morricone, Mozart, Verdi and many others.
New Year 2010
Emma begins the New Year with the world premiere of a beautiful piece written for her by Stephen Barlow. The new work, Nocturne, for clarinet, strings and marimba, is full of changes in colour and drama. It will be premiered by Emma and the Ulster Orchestra with the composer conducting in one of Radio 3's invitation concerts. News of the broadcast will be given as soon as we have it.
Emma begins the New Year with the world premiere of a beautiful piece written for her by Stephen Barlow. The new work, Nocturne, for clarinet, strings and marimba, is full of changes in colour and drama. It will be premiered by Emma and the Ulster Orchestra with the composer conducting in one of Radio 3's invitation concerts. News of the broadcast will be given as soon as we have it.
Emma's recent premiere of Will Todd's Jazz Concerto went down a storm, with many requests from the audience for a second hearing. She will be playing it again in Milton Keynes on 22 January, and hopefully many more times after that!
This season Emma has curated a season of French Chamber Music in Leeds, featuring artists including Chloe Hanslip, Pascal Roge and the Nash Ensemble. The season comes to a fun close on March 9 when Martin Roscoe and Peter Donohoe will be playing piano duets before joining Emma Johnson and Friends in a performance of Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals.
There are lots of other exciting concerts coming up. They are all listed on the Concerts page. Many thanks for your support and a Happy New Year!
Summer 2009
Early summer's highlights have been a performance of the Mozart Concerto at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a tour of West Country churches for Classic FM. Late summer sees Emma visiting several festivals, including the Three Choirs Festival at Hereford Cathedral where she will be performing one of her favourite pieces, the Finzi Concerto, with the Philharmonia. In an unusual departure from her usual routine, Emma has been learning to play Jewish Klezmer music and is excited to be appearing as a guest artist at the London KlezFest at the Jazz Cafe in Camden in August.
In the Autumn, Emma has a busy schedule visiting many UK venues. One highlight is the world premiere of Jazz Concerto, a new piece written especially for her by Will Todd. The premiere is being shared by the Brighton Philharmonic and Milton Keynes City Orchestras. Also in 2009/10 Emma has acted as director for a festival of French chamber music in Leeds and is opening the series with a recital on October 13.
Early summer's highlights have been a performance of the Mozart Concerto at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a tour of West Country churches for Classic FM. Late summer sees Emma visiting several festivals, including the Three Choirs Festival at Hereford Cathedral where she will be performing one of her favourite pieces, the Finzi Concerto, with the Philharmonia. In an unusual departure from her usual routine, Emma has been learning to play Jewish Klezmer music and is excited to be appearing as a guest artist at the London KlezFest at the Jazz Cafe in Camden in August.
In the Autumn, Emma has a busy schedule visiting many UK venues. One highlight is the world premiere of Jazz Concerto, a new piece written especially for her by Will Todd. The premiere is being shared by the Brighton Philharmonic and Milton Keynes City Orchestras. Also in 2009/10 Emma has acted as director for a festival of French chamber music in Leeds and is opening the series with a recital on October 13.
January 2009
Emma's new recording is released on February 2nd. The new disc will be released on the budget-priced label Naxos and features the beautiful Suite For Emma written for her by Sir John Dankworth. Also included are evocative sonatas by the American composers Bernstein and Copland. The disc is available from the Web Site store on the Recordings page.
Emma's new recording is released on February 2nd. The new disc will be released on the budget-priced label Naxos and features the beautiful Suite For Emma written for her by Sir John Dankworth. Also included are evocative sonatas by the American composers Bernstein and Copland. The disc is available from the Web Site store on the Recordings page.
Also new on the Recordings page is an mp3 widget where you can listen to (and purchase for download) clips from four of Emma's albums. We hope to add more albums soon.
Emma continues to be busy. In the Spring she will be concentrating on chamber music, giving concerts with the cellist Natalie Clein, and then later on with the great French pianist, Pascal Roge.
Summer 2008
In May Emma was featured in a television documentary to celebrate 30 years of the Young Musician of the Year Competition on BBC2. She was also a judge for the woodwind section of the competition.
Her programme for BBC Radio 4 about Finzi's Clarinet Concerto was well received and boosted interest in this masterpiece of English music. Emma will give performances of the work next season with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Reading Hexagon and with the Philharmonia at the Three Choirs Festival.
She has been very busy in the recording studio making a CD of jazz-inspired classical music for release early next year. The featured works are the beautiful Suite For Emma written especially for Emma by John Dankworth, as well as pieces by Copland and Bernstein.
Also on the recording front, Emma was soloist on a track for the new Classic FM/Universal instrumental album, Songs Without Words, to be released in September.
Her new concert schedule is on the website.
In May Emma was featured in a television documentary to celebrate 30 years of the Young Musician of the Year Competition on BBC2. She was also a judge for the woodwind section of the competition.
Her programme for BBC Radio 4 about Finzi's Clarinet Concerto was well received and boosted interest in this masterpiece of English music. Emma will give performances of the work next season with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Reading Hexagon and with the Philharmonia at the Three Choirs Festival.
She has been very busy in the recording studio making a CD of jazz-inspired classical music for release early next year. The featured works are the beautiful Suite For Emma written especially for Emma by John Dankworth, as well as pieces by Copland and Bernstein.
Also on the recording front, Emma was soloist on a track for the new Classic FM/Universal instrumental album, Songs Without Words, to be released in September.
Her new concert schedule is on the website.