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Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson

After completing a postgraduate degree in Music at King's College London in 2013, Jack now works in development for an arts charity based in London. Aside from regularly attending concerts, he plays piano and clarinet and enjoys singing with several choirs. Particularly passions include Bach, Prokofiev and the neglected choral works of Hummel

Author:Jack Johnson

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Lacklustre interpretations of Romantic classics from the RPO and Pinchas Zukerman

By Jack Johnson, 30 June 2016

Despite some briliant orchestral playing and orchestral warhorses, Pinchas Zukerman's wooden conducting style made for an unmemorable evening at Cadogan Hall.

**111

Lacklustre interpretations of Romantic classics

By Jack Johnson

The Hogboon: Peter Maxwell Davies' thrilling last work premiered at the Barbican

By Jack Johnson, 26 June 2016

The combined forces of various LSO and Guildhall ensembles come together in an evening that was, in turns, poignant and thrilling to perform Peter Maxwell Davies's last work.

****1

Peter Maxwell Davies' thrilling last work premiered

By Jack Johnson

From Paris to New York: A whirlwind of orchestral virtuosity from the RPO

By Jack Johnson, 26 April 2016

An engaging soloist, passionate conductor and fantastic orchestral playing made light work of a slightly lop-sided and overlong concert.

****1

A whirlwind of orchestral virtuosity from the RPO

By Jack Johnson

Flair but no fun: Borodin Quartet plays Shostakovich and Beethoven

By Jack Johnson, 22 April 2016

The Borodin Quartet seemed safely in their comfort zone with a selection of staple works from Shosatkovich and Beethoven.

***11

Borodin Quartet plays Shostakovich and Beethoven

By Jack Johnson

London Symphony Chorus turns 50: precision and flair in Haydn's Seasons

By Jack Johnson, 17 April 2016

Simon Rattle and the combined forces of the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus dazzled in a large-scale rendition of Haydn's oratorio that retained the speed, dexterity and precision of a period-instrument performance.

****1

London Symphony Chorus turns 50

By Jack Johnson

London Mozart Players present rare Mozart through modern eyes

By Jack Johnson, 14 April 2016

The London Mozart Players and a talented company of singers presented a special chance to hear a rare, unfinished Mozart opera in an even rarer guise.

***11

Rare Mozart through modern eyes

By Jack Johnson

Impassioned Shostakovich and runaway Tchaikovsky from the Oslo Philharmonic

By Jack Johnson, 10 March 2016

An engrossing performance of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony follows a slightly haywire interpretation of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in an evening of excitement and a few too many wrong notes.

***11

Impassioned Shostakovich and runaway Tchaikovsky

By Jack Johnson

A dark and dingy Don Giovanni from English Touring Opera

By Jack Johnson, 11 March 2016

Wonderful singing and playing liven up a slightly lifeless staging of Mozart's turbulent masterpiece.

***11

A dark and dingy Don Giovanni from ETO

By Jack Johnson

Indulgent and empty: LPO première of Alexander Raskatov's Green Mass

By Jack Johnson, 30 January 2016

A full-sized LPO première a bewildering new mass setting by Alexander Raskatov that misses the mark and sits uneasily alongside Beethoven's great ode to nature.

**111

LPO première of Alexander Raskatov's Green Mass

By Jack Johnson

Lost in translation: Big band Stravinsky with Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar

By Jack Johnson, 14 January 2016

Rising superstar Gustavo Dudamel led mixed interpretations of two of Stravinky's best-loved scores; consistently good orchestral playing was augmented by occasional glimpses of brilliance.

***11

Lost in translation: Big band Stravinsky

By Jack Johnson

Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields thrill in Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Prokofiev

By Jack Johnson, 11 November 2015

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields brought tremendous energy to a concert of well-loved classics, under the evidently inspirational leadership of Joshua Bell.

****1

Joshua Bell and the ASMF thrill in Tchaikovsky

By Jack Johnson

A thrilling evening of music from Bach's Bohemian Cousin

By Jack Johnson, 20 October 2015

Unlike his better-known contemporaries, Czech composer Zelenka has faded into obscurity, Spirato! and Barts Chamber Choir made an extremely persuasive case for this highly original music.

****1

A thrilling evening of music from Bach's Bohemian Cousin

By Jack Johnson

LSO and Gergiev thrill in challenging 20th century repertoire

By Jack Johnson, 09 October 2015

As Valery Gergiev's tenure comes to an end, the LSO presented a concert of the repertoire he is most a home in, to thrilling results.

****1

LSO and Gergiev thrill in challenging 20th century repertoire

By Jack Johnson

LSO and Haitink uneven in Purcell, Beethoven and Brahms

By Jack Johnson, 23 September 2015

Broad tempi and a measured steer from Bernard Haitink led to a concert somewhat lacking in vigour and energy.

***11

LSO and Haitink uneven in Purcell, Beethoven and Brahms

By Jack Johnson

Fabulous season opener from Iestyn Davies and The English Concert at Wigmore Hall

By Jack Johnson, 12 September 2015

The new season at Wigmore Hall launched with a sensitively programmed selection of Handel arias, intelligently played by some of the country's finest Handelians.

****1

Fabulous season opener from Iestyn Davies

By Jack Johnson

Prom 69: BBC Concert Orchestra dazzles in a profane Prom

By Jack Johnson, 06 September 2015

Saint-Saens' “Dance of Death” and Orff's gaudy, medieval satire framed a stunningly-realised new commission from Guy Barker, with Alison Balsom playing against type.

****1

BBC Concert Orchestra dazzles in a profane Prom

By Jack Johnson

Prom 20: BBC Philharmonic taxing and arresting in Schubert, Bedford and Bruckner

By Jack Johnson, 01 August 2015

The première of a bold new work by Luke Bedford was the highlight in a Prom concert that otherwise lacked impact and focus.

***11

BBC Philharmonic taxing and arresting at the Proms

By Jack Johnson

An enlightening Creation from the LSO in St Paul's Cathedral

By Jack Johnson, 24 June 2015

The LSO, led by Edward Gardner, delivered a moving and profound performance of Haydn's Creation despite the acoustic challenges of St Paul's.

****1

An enlightening Creation from the LSO

By Jack Johnson

Marin Alsop and the LSO showcase a dynamic decade's music

By Jack Johnson, 07 June 2015

Virtuosic playing from the LSO under the decisive leadership of Marin Alsop enlivened the divergent soundscapes of Bartók, Korngold and Rachmaninov.

****1

Marin Alsop and the LSO showcase a dynamic decade's music

By Jack Johnson

Revelatory Beethoven and pedestrian Brahms from the LSO

By Jack Johnson, 24 May 2015

Sunday night's concert saw the LSO on top form, however their partnerships with Christian Tetzlaff and LSO Chorus on either side of the interval produced mixed results.

***11

Revelatory Beethoven and pedestrian Brahms from the LSO

By Jack Johnson

Dvořák's New World grows tired in Southbank Sinfonia concert

By Jack Johnson, 25 March 2015

This young ensemble was curiously lacking in youthful energy in a concert of orchestral classics with a few too many fluffed notes.

**111

Dvořák's New World grows tired

By Jack Johnson

Edward Gardner leads the Philharmonia on an uneven journey

By Jack Johnson, 15 March 2015

A promising programme of works was overshadowed by some incoherent playing but also moments of promise to stoke excitement for Gardner's forthcoming tenure at the Bergen Philharmonic.

***11

Edward Gardner leads the Philharmonia on an uneven journey

By Jack Johnson

Around the world with the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic

By Jack Johnson, 15 February 2015

The renowned chamber ensemble from Berlin treat a young Royal Festival Hall audience to a dazzling around the world trip.

****1

Around the world with the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Phil

By Jack Johnson

Uneven Rachmaninov from the LPO, Petrenko and Prats

By Jack Johnson, 11 February 2015

Erratic tempi and unclear textures marr an otherwise engaging opportunity to hear a rarer Rachmaninov work alongside his evervescent Piano Concerto no. 2.

***11

Uneven Rachmaninov from the LPO

By Jack Johnson

Bohemian Winds from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

By Jack Johnson, 05 February 2015

An accomplished technical display from the OAE's period wind ensemble which occasionally lacked personality.

***11

Bohemian Winds from the OAE

By Jack Johnson

Serious Christmas fare from the choir of Westminster Abbey

By Jack Johnson, 11 December 2014

The choir tackle an ambitious, if overly long programme of Advent-themed works with mixed results.

***11

Serious Christmas fare at Cadogan Hall

By Jack Johnson

Nationalistic fervour from the Royal Philharmonic at Cadogan Hall

By Jack Johnson, 27 November 2014

After a slightly disjoined start, the RPO delivered an ultimately satisfying concert with distinctive and involing intepretations of two Romantic warhorses.

***11

Nationalistic fervour from the RPO

By Jack Johnson

A concert of two halves: the RPO plays German Romantic classics

By Jack Johnson, 11 November 2014

An original and dynamic performance of Brahms' Symphony no. 1 makes up for run-of-the-mill Wagner and Strauss.

***11

A concert of two halves: the RPO plays German Romantic classics

By Jack Johnson

James Gilchrist and Florilegium explore Bach and his influences

By Jack Johnson, 03 November 2014

Florilegium and tenor James Gilchrist give intelligent and engaging performances of music by Bach and his contemporaries including some repertoire unfairly neglected in today's concert halls.

***11

James Gilchrist and Florilegium explore Bach

By Jack Johnson

A traditional affair: Haitink, Uchida and the LSO

By Jack Johnson, 30 October 2014

Bernard Haitink and Mitsuko Uchida took a traditional approach to this core repertoire, yet produced performances that sounded anything but dated.

****1

A traditional affair: Haitink, Uchida and the LSO

By Jack Johnson

Shakespeare explored with the City of London Sinfonia at Southwark Cathedral

By Jack Johnson, 08 October 2014

As Autumn sets in, the City of London Sinfonia give us a final taste of Midsummer in a charming and diverse concert.

***11

Shakespeare explored by CLS

By Jack Johnson

A tantalising season opener from the LPO and Jurowski

By Jack Johnson, 24 September 2014

Works from Magnus Lindberg, Prokofiev and Shostakovich set the tone for an exciting forthcoming season from the LPO.

****1

A tantalising season opener from the LPO and Jurowski

By Jack Johnson

Vocal fireworks and obscure arias from Franco Fagioli

By Jack Johnson, 21 September 2014

A virtuosic display from Franco Fagioli and the Academia Montis Regalis which shone a spotlight on the works of Vivaldi's lesser-known colleague Nicola Porpora.

****1

Vocal fireworks from Franco Fagioli

By Jack Johnson

Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra's Mahler "Resurrection" misses the mark

By Jack Johnson, 29 August 2014

Daniel Harding and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra gave an oddly-staged, at times erractic, performance of the “Resurrection” Symphony that failed to completely encapulsate Mahler's vision.

***11

A Mahler "Resurrection" which misses the mark

By Jack Johnson

Authentic, stylish Rameau from William Christie and Les Arts Florissants

By Jack Johnson, 29 July 2014

These wonderfully original works were performed with style and precision however the sound quickly disappeared into the rafters of a mostly empty Royal Albert Hall.

***11

Les Arts Florissants' Rameau at the Proms

By Jack Johnson

A Tavener première, impassioned Bartók and a surprise cameo from Mozart

By Jack Johnson, 23 July 2014

The BBC Symphony Orchestra première the first of two late works by John Tavener this Proms season and Isabelle Faust excels in Bartók and Bach.

****1

A Tavener première, impassioned Bartók and a surprise cameo from Mozart

By Jack Johnson

Zukermann and the RPO perform Mozart's miraculous final three symphonies

By Jack Johnson, 02 July 2014

A satisfying, but uninvolving, evening of familiar and well-loved Mozart symphonies.

***11

Zukermann and the RPO perform Mozart's miraculous final three symphonies

By Jack Johnson

Cantatas for the Soul: heavenly Bach at Wigmore Hall

By Jack Johnson, 24 June 2014

An evening of music-making of great integrity and intelligence from renowned Bach expert John Butt and his dynamic ensemble.

****1

Cantatas for the Soul: heavenly Bach at Wigmore Hall

By Jack Johnson

Haitink's 85th birthday celebration with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe

By Jack Johnson, 05 June 2014

Bernard Haitnik celebrates his 85th birthday with outstanding accounts of Berg and Beethoven in a moving evening at the Barbican.

*****

Haitink's 85th birthday celebration with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe

By Jack Johnson

The shape of things to come? Simon Rattle conducts the LSO

By Jack Johnson, 01 June 2014

With speculation rife as to whether Sir Simon Rattle will become principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra upon departing from the Berlin Philharmonic, this electrifying concert provided a tantalising glimpse of what the future might have in store.

*****

Rattle conducts LSO: Glimpse into the future?

By Jack Johnson

Stephen Hough sparkles in Saint-Saëns' "Egyptian"

By Jack Johnson, 20 May 2014

Stephen Hough lays bare the myth that Saint-Saëns was a conservative in an electrifying performance of the “Egyptian” piano concerto with the RPO.

****1

Stephen Hough sparkles in Saint-Saëns' "Egyptian"

By Jack Johnson

Stunning Russian fare from the London Philharmonic

By Jack Johnson, 25 April 2014

The London Philharmonic give a revelatory account of Tchaikovsky's “Pathétique” Symphony, enhanced by an impromptu lecture from Vladimir Jurowski.

*****

Stunning Russian fare from the London Philharmonic

By Jack Johnson

Polyphony excels in Good Friday St John Passion

By Jack Johnson, 18 April 2014

Polyphony live up to their reputation, performing Bach's St John Passion with intensity and dynamism, in a performance only marred by some routine orchestral playing.

****1

Polyphony excels in Good Friday St John Passion

By Jack Johnson

Rapturous response to Lorin Maazel's Strauss and Mussorgsky

By Jack Johnson, 23 March 2014

The Philharmonia Orchestra delivers electrifiying readings of two very different late Romantic classics, in a thrilling concert, marred only by a pedestrian intepretation of Mozart's Violin Concerto no. 3.

****1

Rapturous response to Lorin Maazel's Strauss and Mussorgsky

By Jack Johnson