NEW TOWN CONCERT, QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH, NOV. 2009 * * * *
Melancholy, in the form of two of Brahms's fine instrumental valedictions was the subject of this autumnal concert, where Emma Johnson, Natalie Clein and John Lenehan were heard in various expressive permutations of clarinet, cello and piano tone.
Johnson and Clein, each a former BBC Young Musician of the Year, played with real eloquence, their instrumental voices bound together by Lenehan's responsive piano playing.
Conrad Wilson writing in the Herald Scotland, Friday 6th November 2009
KLEZMER AT JAZZ CAFE
What do you get when you combine the celebrated classical clarinettist Emma Johnson with the serried ranks of Klezfest Jewish music practioners? Air on a K-string might be one answer. Yet the truth, as revealed at the Jazz Café was considerably more dynamic, surprising and downright funky. With her instrument's rich chalumeau register and her brilliant sense of timing and vocal nuance, it sounded like she was born playing klezmer . . . Emma and American trumpet maestro, Frank London had the audience on their feet.
Jewish Chronicle, August 2009
EMMA JOHNSON'S MOZART AT ST ALBANS INTERNATIONAL ORGAN FESTIVAL, JULY 2009
Clarinettist Emma Johnson demonstrated just why she is a world-class artist with her performance of Mozart's Clarinet Quintet . . . a magnificent performer demonstrated her technical and artistic brilliance.
Herts Advertiser
EMMA JOHNSON/PASCAL ROGE AT PERTH FESTIVAL ****
Emma Johnson is a clarinettist with a flair for the gleam of her instrument's tone quality, its potential for wit, exuberance, and rhythmic finesse, though the nostalgic melancholy of Brahms's chamber music, exemplified on this occasion by his great valedictory F minor Clarinet Sonata, does not pass her by.
Glasgow Herald May 2009
EMMA JOHNSON OPENS THE NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL, MAY 2009
Brahms' glorious second Clarinet Sonata followed with a meltingly beautiful performance from Emma Johnson. A mobile player, her fluid movements reflected the soft rounded edges of her phrasing as she caressed Brahms' melodies but there was fire too when the music demanded it.
Newbury Weekly News
ANGLO-AMERICAN RECORDING ON NAXOS
The whole programme is played with great polish and flair. It's bound to delight Johnson's many fans and increase their number.
BBC Music Magazine March 2009 * * * * *
MAGNIFICENT OPENING TO THE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
The Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by Leonard Bernstein gave the opportunity to appreciate the art of that phenomenal musician, Emma Johnson, indisputably the leading player of the concert. What sonorities emerged from the instrument, now brilliant, now sweet. What an exhibition of virtuosity masked by her natural manner, the freshness and grace she exudes.
Diario Menorca
CLARINETTIST CREATES A BUZZ
For an evening of music making of an intimate and joyful nature it would be difficult to surpass last night's recital at St David's Hall. Clarinettist Emma Johnson performed a programme of rich diversity designed to show the wide range of the clarinet's repertoire and character. Perhaps the higglight of the evening came in Poulenc's Sonata where the rhythmic verve of Ms Johnson's playing of the outer movements was balanced by the repose achieved in the central movement displaying the soloist's peerless technique.
Western Mail
A FIVE-STAR BIRTHDAY TREAT
ASV is 21 this year and in celebration has released a Platinum Collection of 21 discs, each devoted to a single composer. The Mozart disc is one of the finest. It consists of the clarinet concerto with Emma Johnson . . . the best of British in some of the best of Mozart. Irresistible (*****).
The Mail on Sunday
WASHINGTON DEBUT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
Johnson's musical charms include warm tone, superb musical taste and very sensitive phrasing, this was a debut that offered a lot of pleasure.
Washington Post
STORIONI TRIO AND EMMA JOHNSON IN WHOLEHEARTED PERFORMANCE
Emma Johnson and the Storioni Trio played Messiaen's Quatuor pour la fin du temps in Eindhoven in a gripping and confident performance. Johnson's expressive clarinet playing melted seamlessly into the Storioni Trio's delicate style. Sounds emerged from nothing, only to disappear once again into complete silence. Masters fo their respective instruments, nothing prevents these four musicians from bringing out the unpredictable virtuosity the music demands. Their wholehearted performance had a spellbinding effect on the audience.
Eindhovens Dagblad, 13/05/05
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. In each movement one was aware of a deep intensity and a sharply urgent message, as though the end of time was indeed nigh . . . a truly riveting experience.
Gronings Dagblad 11/05/05
DIVINE INNER SENSE OF STAR CLARINETTIST
If there were any justice Emma Johnson would be top of the pops and stay top of the pops for ever. Listening to her play on records and radio, one forgets what a phenomena the real live Emma Johnson is. She starts with all the gifts the gods could give to a musician: immaculate technique, total memory and a matchless musicality, a divine inner sense which leads audiences into the spirit of the music. She also has enormous but understated charm. The audience is with her before she evens plays a note.
West Sussex County Times
JOHNSON IN CLARINET RECITAL AT AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM
The charismatic young English musician - already a prolific recording artist - 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 Fantasiestücke 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
