Emma Johnson's "The Essential Emma Johnson" is a captivating compilation that showcases her extraordinary talent as a clarinetist, offering a diverse and enriching journey through the world of classical and chamber music. Released on January 1, 1999, under the Decca label, this album spans a generous 2 hours and 29 minutes, featuring a meticulously curated selection of pieces that highlight Emma Johnson's virtuosity and versatility.
The album opens with Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A, K622, a timeless masterpiece that sets the stage for Johnson's exquisite artistry. It continues with a range of works from different composers, including the evocative Concerto No. 2 in F minor for Clarinet and Orchestra by Carl Maria von Weber, the hauntingly beautiful Adagio for clarinet and strings in D flat "Wagner's Adagio," and Johannes Brahms' Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115. Each piece is performed with precision and emotional depth, showcasing Johnson's ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of each composition.
In addition to these well-known works, the album also features lesser-known gems such as "The Victorian Kitchen Garden - Suite" by John McCabe, a delightful suite that paints a vivid musical picture of a Victorian garden. The suite's prelude, spring, mists, exotica, and summer movements are each a testament to Johnson's ability to convey a wide range of moods and atmospheres.
The album also includes arrangements of works originally written for other instruments, such as "Gymnopédie No. 1" by Erik Satie and "3 Preludes" by Claude Debussy, arranged for clarinet and piano by David Cohn. These arrangements offer a fresh perspective on familiar pieces and demonstrate Johnson's ability to adapt and reinterpret music across different genres and styles.
Throughout the album, Emma Johnson's playing is characterized by a rich, warm tone and impeccable technique. Her interpretations are both sensitive and dynamic, bringing out the unique character of each piece. Whether she is performing a well-known concerto or a lesser-known work, Johnson's playing is always engaging and expressive.
"The Essential Emma Johnson" is not just a collection of individual pieces, but a cohesive and carefully curated journey through the world of classical and chamber music. It is a testament to Emma Johnson's artistry and a celebration of the clarinet's expressive potential. Whether you are a longtime fan of classical music or a newcomer to the genre, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
Tracks
Clarinet Concerto in A, K622: 1. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Clarinet Concerto in A, K622: 2. AdagioWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Clarinet Concerto in A, K622: 3. Rondo. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Concerto No. 2 in F minor for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 5: 1. AllegroBernhard Henrik Crusell, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves
Concerto No. 2 in F minor for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 5: 2. Andante pastoraleBernhard Henrik Crusell, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves
Concerto No. 2 in F minor for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 5: 3. RondoBernhard Henrik Crusell, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves
Adagio for clarinet and strings in D flat "Wagner's Adagio"Heinrich Joseph Baermann, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves
Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115: 1. Allegro vivaceMalcolm Arnold, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Ivor Bolton
Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115: 2. LentoMalcolm Arnold, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Ivor Bolton
Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 115: 3. (The Pre-Goodman Rag) Allegro non troppoMalcolm Arnold, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Ivor Bolton
The Victorian Kitchen Garden - Suite: PreludePaul Reade, Emma Johnson, Skaila Kanga
The Victorian Kitchen Garden - Suite: SpringPaul Reade, Emma Johnson, Skaila Kanga
The Victorian Kitchen Garden - Suite: MistsPaul Reade, Emma Johnson, Skaila Kanga
The Victorian Kitchen Garden - Suite: ExoticaPaul Reade, Emma Johnson, Skaila Kanga
The Victorian Kitchen Garden - Suite: SummerPaul Reade, Emma Johnson, Skaila Kanga
The Tale of Tsar Saltan - Arr. Johnson / Drake: Flight of the Bumble BeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 12Sergei Rachmaninoff, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: 1. Zart und mit AusdruckRobert Schumann, Emma Johnson, Gordon Back
Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: 2. Lebhaft, leichtRobert Schumann, Emma Johnson, Gordon Back
Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: 3. Rasch und mit FeuerRobert Schumann, Emma Johnson, Gordon Back
La Fille Aux Cheveux de LinClaude Debussy, Emma Johnson, Gordon Back
Pavane pour une infante défunteMaurice Ravel, Emma Johnson, Gordon Back
Scaramouche - suite: 1. VifDarius Milhaud, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Scaramouche - suite: 2. ModéréDarius Milhaud, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Scaramouche - suite: 3. BrazileiraDarius Milhaud, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Gymnopedie No. 1Erik Satie, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
3 Preludes - Arr. Cohn: 1. Allegro ben ritmatoGeorge Gershwin, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
3 Preludes - Arr. Cohn: 2. Andante con moto e poco rubatoGeorge Gershwin, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
3 Preludes - Arr. Cohn: 3. Allegro ben ritmato e decisoGeorge Gershwin, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: To a Wild RoseEdward MacDowell, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
5 Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, Op. 23: 1. Prelude - Allegro decisoGerald Finzi, Emma Johnson, Malcolm Martineau
5 Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, Op. 23: 2. Romance - Andante tranquilloGerald Finzi, Emma Johnson, Malcolm Martineau
5 Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, Op. 23: 3. Carol - Andantino sempliceGerald Finzi, Emma Johnson, Malcolm Martineau
5 Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, Op. 23: 4. Forlana - Allegretto graziosoGerald Finzi, Emma Johnson, Malcolm Martineau
5 Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, Op. 23: 5. Fughetta - Allegro vivaceGerald Finzi, Emma Johnson, Malcolm Martineau
Walking in the Air from The SnowmanHoward Blake, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
Jamaican RumbaArthur Benjamin, Emma Johnson, Julius Drake
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