Emma Johnson first came to Lamberhurst in 2018 and is a beacon in the classical music arena. Emma was awarded an MBE in 1996 for her services to music. Emma’s early life was spent locally, going to school in Orpington and Sevenoaks and in 1984 was the winner of the BBC young musician of the year competition.
Emma is one of the UK’s biggest selling classical artists and has recorded well over 30 albums. She has had numerous pieces written for her, including jazz legend Johnny Dankworth’s ‘Suite for Emma’, and Paul Reade’s ‘The Victorian Kitchen Garden’ for the BBC series.
Emma will be performing with a 13 strong female orchestra especially put together for this concert and called ‘Orchestra for the Environment’. The orchestra will consist of 11 string players, a harpist, drum kit player and Emma on clarinet.
I am absolutely delighted to be able to say, and this is a first for us, that Emma has chosen Lamberhurst to premiere her new work ‘Tree of Life’. This piece was inspired by Emma’s wish to say something about the climate emergency. The piece lasts about 20 minutes and has 4 parts: In the Beginning, Bacchanalia, The Truth of Things, and Resolution. The music sets up a natural landscape which is shattered by partying and machine-like configurations in the second movement. Then comes realisation of the harm that has been done and the fourth part deals with finding acceptance and resolution.
Because of the nature of Emma’s new piece, we have agreed to a donation from the sales of all tickets, to go to Kent Wildlife Trust which cares for the environment.
The full programme for the concert is:
Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves
Emma Johnson Tree of Life
Paul Reade Suite from the Victorian Kitchen Garden
Tchaikovsky Serenade
