Event Details

Lancaster Arts is delighted to welcome one of the UK’s leading clarinettists, Emma Johnson, in concert with pianist John Lenehan.

The concert begins with virtuosic pieces from Mozart and Weber for both instruments, before a second half that responds to our 2025 theme of Land.Both Peter Sculthorpe's work rooted in the sounds of Saibai, an island near Papua New Guinea, and Vaughan Williams’ music based on English folk songs, reflect the stories of people moving from land out to sea. Senegal Spirit pays homage to the traditional music of Senegaland the Benny Goodman Medley includes music redolent of the jazz scene in 1930s Chicago.

Described by The Times as "Britain's favourite clarinettist", Emma Johnson is one of the few clarinet players to have made a career as a soloist. Since winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year at the age of seventeen, she is known for her diverse repertoire. She was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 1996.

With more than 80 albums to his credit, reflecting an enormous variety of genres and styles, John Lenehan ranks as one of the most versatile pianists on the classical scene today.

“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

Concert Programme

Mozart

Grande Sonate K581a

Weber

Grand Duo Concertant

Sculthorpe

Songs of Sea and Sky

Vaughan Williams

Studies in English Folk Song

Emma Johnson

Senegal Spirit

Benny Goodman

Medley