It’s great to be preparing for some Emma Johnson and Friends concerts this Spring.
I was thinking about the delicate balance you need in a small group of musicians – each musician must retain their own personality but also recognise when they need to take a back seat and accompany another instrument. You’re constantly switching from lead voice to background and back again.
This is particularly true in the Arthur Bliss Clarinet Quintet which I’m preparing with the Carducci String Quartet. The balance is crucial in this work because there is always a lot going on. The textures are thick with detail which, if not carefully managed, could overwhelm the listener. We have to clarify the score for the audience so that they can grasp the work’s structure. Luckily I’ve worked a lot with the fantastic Carducci’s and that helps us trust each other enough to let the right voices through at the right time.
Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time has different challenges because in the Danse of Fury it requires the instruments to play in unison and for each instrument to match the dynamic and timbre of the others, creating a totally new expressive instrument out of our collective sounds. Simon, Tom, Fenella and I need to think as one!
Do come and join us if you can and see how we get on with these different musical conversations amongst friends! For details please click the link:
https://www.emmajohnson.co.uk/concerts/