David Johnson pianist

                                                           Reviews

                                                                         
                                                                                 

- The Last Sonatas of Beethoven
   " Time has passed and suitability has imposed differing priorities.Nevertheless , it is worthwhile to report a piano recital that was distinguished for its quality.On 26 May the American pianist David Johnson interpreted the last three Sonatas of Beethoven (op. 109 , 110 and 111) at the concert hall of the Odeio Atheneum. The circumstances were difficult, as outside the venue a group of Africans played incessantly percussion music for nearly two hours. The annoyance for both listeners and pianist was considerable.
 Mr Johnson proved expert and courageous while engaging himself successfully with these specific works, especially demanding as much for their pure pianism and technical virtuosity as for their interpretation.
 The pianist should be familiar with the debt these works owe to the music of Haydn;at the same time, however, to have an awareness of their innovations in form and harmony, sensational for their time, in order to manifest these elements and communicate them to the audience.
 In these three last  Sonatas the emotional simplicity, which is so moving in sections like the Arioso dolente of op. 110 or the Arietta of op. 111, is combined with intellectual complexities, as in the thirs movement of op. 110 (with its two fugues) or the variations which consummate both the opuses 109 and 111.
 David Johnson appeared to move with ease in this world. he conveyed with particular tenderness the slow and expressive movements, remaining emotionally vivid but without exaggeration. The indications 'cantabile ed  espessivo' i.e. singingly and expressively, of op 109 acquired substance, while the notes,  gently ties one to the other, were coloured within from the sensitive handling of the dynamics.
 In the faster movements, the tension from the difficulty of dealing with the ambient atmosphere may have had some effect. Nevertheless, more importantly, was the successful attainment of the relationship within the movements of every sonata, the de-coding of the especially- complexcontents of each one of the expression of a profound spiritual dimension at the core of this music. Such a yield from these works is in itself quite a demand. Under the circumstances of that evening, it is quite a feat.''
   Nikos Dontas, KATHIMERINI newspaper , Sept. 11 , 2016

- "a delicious reading, characterized by a refinement of phrasing and coloristic precision that allowed each 
bejeweled movement to glisten with its own individual luster."
Peter G. David, NEW YORK TIMES


Regent Hall, London, 2005
His playing is a revelation. Every note was a song.
Leighton House, London, 2006


-One of the best Bartok Sonatas I have ever heard.
Carola Grindea, founder EPTA
(European Piano Teachers™ Association)



-Society of Musicians, Edinburgh, 2006 
"memorable concert, especially the (tudes Symphoniques of) Schumann."
Ronald Stevenson, composer


-"From the beginning...it was clear that David Johnson is a highly gifted pianist. Not only a pianist but a poet as well...a pianist and poet of distinction."
Jan van Voorthuysen
HET VADERLAND, The Hague, 1982



-St. Michael'™s Parish, Litchfield, CT, 2004
"...it was Mr. Johnson'™s reading and his technical precision which made the performance world class."
Alan Wallach
BERKSHIRE REVIEW OF RECITALS

-Brahmssaal, Musikverein, Vienna, 1982

"It was immediately evident after the first few bars of Schumann's ˜Carnaval ™ that [Mr. Johnson] has the combined abilities of artistry and virtuosity."

Kurt Wiesberg

WIENER ZEITUNG, Vienna

-First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, MA, 1995

"œ...David Johnson...ranks high among piano solo recitalists...

Johnson approached [Beethoven'™s last piano sonata, op. 111] with a confidence that denoted long hours of penetration into and familiarization with the work'™s musical density and spiritual transcendence...the radiance of the musical texture and the lofty arch of Beethoven'™s monumental structure were conveyed with an artistry that certainly gave its due to one of the most exalted statements in our musical heritage."

Simon Wainrib

THE BERKSHIRE RECORD, Great Barrington, Ma, USA

-Wigmore Hall, London, 1982

"David Johnson from the U.S. in his debut had all the sound, fury and confidence of a seasoned performer...He revealed technical facility, fluency and fresh colour."

THE TIMES, London

              Letter of Recommendation by CAROL GILLIGAN

                                         

Carol Gilligan is a noted author and psychologist and is currently Professor of Womens' Studies at New York University. Her most famous work is the book In a Different Voice (1982). In 1996 Time Magzine named her as one of the 25 most influential Americans.
 For more information  please visit :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Gilligan