REVIEW: Emma Johnson performing with Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra

There was a real treat in store for the Dome faithful when top clarinettist Emma Johnson was the star soloist for a wonderful concert of contrasts.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Nov 2009, 10:16 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:06 BST

Top of my list during the performance on Sunday, November 15, somewhat predictably, had to be Mozart's sublime Clarinet Concerto - a choice endorsed by Brighton Philharmonic musical director Barry Wordsworth who in his programme notes labelled it one of the greatest concertos ever written - but there was also plenty of interest provided by a world premiere of Will Todd's Clarinet Concerto written especially for the highly accomplished Johnson, Haydn's Symphony No 96 and Kodaly's Dances of Galanta.

The 200th anniversary of Haydn's death was recognised by the selection of his misleadingly nicknamed Miracle Symphony to open the third concert in the season.

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Peter Back revealed in his programme notes that it was actually during the first performance of Symphony No 102 that the audience narrowly escaped injury from a falling chandalier.

More certain is that the piece is a joy and in the hands of Wordsworth, guest leader Paul Willey and the BPO it provided a wonderful opening.

Johnson then took centre stage with the world premiere of Todd's jazz inspired Clarinet Concerto that fully involved the soloist, both in its writing and first performance.

After the break, Mozart's classic work once again highlighted her superb breath control and was followed by the strident Dances of Galanta that reflected Kodaly's interest in the folk songs of Hungary.

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It was a fascinating concert for the adults, who took the gifted Johnson very much to their hearts, before this Sunday's offering aimed at the children and featuring The Snowman, Harry Potter and Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker Suite.

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