James Johnson
Spire Professor of Music
Strauss PAC 215
phone: (402) 554-3353
e-mail: jjpiano@cox.net
James Johnson has earned a distinguished international reputation through his recordings and performances with the Royal Philharmonic in London, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Prague Chamber Soloists, the Slovenian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony, and the Boston Pops. Compared in the European press to such legendary giants as Horowitz, Gilels, Kempf, and Arrau, James Johnson is a pianist of spellbinding technique, whose playing reveals "enthralling dynamic and agogic work, enormous richness of tone," (Saarbruecker Zeitung) and "a difficult-to-explain mystical quality." (Die Rheinpfalz)
His performances of works of Chaminade and Dohnanyi appeared on Clavier magazine's list of "Best Recent Recordings", and his recordings of Mendelssohn and Beethoven concerti were featured as Records-of-the-Month by Musical Heritage Society. His Centaur CD, featuring works of Kabalevsky and Muczynski, was included on Bound for Sound's list of the "Best Recordings of 1991." Also active as a chamber musician, he has performed with such ensembles as the Cambridge String Quartet, the Alaska Chamber Ensemble, and the North Star Consort, praised by the New York Times for its premiers of new music.His lineage as a pianist can be traced back to Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Beethoven through links with his teachers, Ozan and Patricia Benkman Marsh, who in turn had studied with Rachmaninoff himself, as well as with Emil von Sauer, and Ferruccio Busoni.
As an organist, Dr. Johnson’s career has included performances of organ concerti with Sandor Salgo, conductorof the Carmel Bach Festival, as well as many solo recitals. His inaugural recital of the Gress-Miles organ at the University of Alaska was nationally broadcast on public radio. His English organ recital tours have included performances in London, Surrey, Essex, and Leicester Cathedral.As an educator, Johnson was winner of the Award for Inspirational Teaching at the University of Alaska, where he taught for twenty years. In 2001 he was named winner of the Excellence in Teaching award at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. From among the ranks of his piano and organ students have come well over one hundred fifty winners of area, state, and regional competitions. In 2002, he was awarded the Robert M. Spire professorship in Music at the University of Nebraska. In 2004, he was selected as the Nebraska Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year. In 2005, he was named as an MTNA National Foundation Fellow.
Dr. Johnson’s biography appears in Who’s Who in America, American Keyboard Artists, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in the World and The International Who’s Who of Music and Musician. A native of South Carolina, James Johnson earned his BM, MM and DMA degrees at the University of Arizona. Prior to his tenure at UNO, he was Professor of Music and Chairman of the Music Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Also an organist and conductor, he earned a post-doctoral MM at Westminster Choir College, as a pupil of Joan Lippincott.
Visit the Spire Piano Competition website
DISCOGRAPHY
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Paul Freeman, conductor, Centaur Records, CRC 2580, 2002
Organ Works from Four Centuries, in production
Kabalevsky: Piano Concerto No. 3; Muczynski: Piano Concerto, Op. 7, Slovenian National Radio Orchestra, Paul Freeman, conductor, Muczynski: Suite, Op. 13, Centaur Records, CRC-2089, 1991
Beethoven: Trio, Op. 38; Reinecke: Trio, Op. 274; Ireland : Trio, Op. 2; The Alaska Chamber Ensemble, Orion Master Recordings, OC-792, 1988
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Freeman, conductor, Musical Heritage Society, 1983 (see above for re-release)
Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Piano Concerto No. 2 in D-minor, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Freeman, conductor, Musical Heritage Society, 1978, to be re-released on Centaur Records with Mendelssohn: Variations sérieuses
Chaminade: Konzertstück, Royal Philharmonic, Paul Freeman, conductor,
Dohnanyi: Five Pieces for Piano, Orion Master Recordings, ORS-78926, 1977
Moszkowski: Fifteen Etudes de Virtuosite, VLR, VLR-821, 1973PERFORMANCES, NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Asian recital tour: Seoul, Beijing, Hangzhou, China (5 performances), 1998
English recital tour: Southend, Leicester (2 performances), 1998
Piano recital, State Department, Washington, D.C., 1998
English recital tour: Weybridge, Cobham, Southend, Leicester, 1996
European recital tour: The Hague, Haarlem, Laren, Holland; Brussels, 1995
European recital tour: Brussels, Dillingen, Rehlingen-Siesburg, Germany, 1994
Prague Chamber Soloists, Mozart: Concerto in A Major, K. 488, Dennis Burkh, conductor, Prague , Czechoslovakia, 1992
German recital tour: Saarbruecken, Saarlouis, Blieskastel, St. Wendel, Trier Heusweiler, Losheim, 1992
MTNA National Convention, Miami , Florida , piano works of Robert Muczynski, 1991
Library of Congress, Washington , D.C. , piano recital, United States Information Agency Musical Ambassadors program, 1984
Carnegie Recital Hall , New York , chamber music recital series, 1983
Grieg Concerto in A-minor, Boston Pops Orchestra, Murry Sidlin, conductor (two performances), 1982
National Public Radio, inaugural organ recital, Gress-Miles organ, Davis Hall, University of Alaska , 1982
Mendelssohn: Concerto in G-minor , Victoria Symphony, Paul Freeman, conductor, (2 performances), 1980CONCERTO PERFORMANCES (Regional)
Grieg: Concerto in A minor, Heartland Philharmonic (UNO), 2000
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, U of Nebraska at Omaha Wind Ensemble, 1999
Beethoven: Concerto No. 3, Heartland Philharmonic (UNO), 1995
Beethoven: Concerto No. 3, Arctic Chamber Orchestra (Univ of Alaska ), 1995
Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals, Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska ), 1994
Beethoven: Triple Concerto, Juneau Symphony, 1991
Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, and Violin, Anchorage Festival, 1991
Beethoven: Concerto No. 1, Ketchikan Symphony, 1989
Hummel: Concerto in B-minor, Op. 89, Arctic Chamber Orchestra (Univ of Alaska), 1986
Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals, Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska), 1986
Poulenc: Organ Concerto, Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska ), 1985
Beethoven: Concerto No. 2, Juneau Symphony, ( Juneau , Sitka ), 1984
Beethoven: Concerto No. 1, Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska ), 1982
Grieg: Concerto in A minor, Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska), 1980
Poulenc: Concerto for Two Pianos, Fairbanks Symphony (2 performances), 1979
Beethoven: Triple Concerto, Arctic Chamber Orchestra (8 performances), 1979
De Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Anchorage Symphony (3 perf.), 1978
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue: University of Alaska Concert Band, 1977
Chaminade: Concertstueck: Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska ), 1977
Mozart: Concerto K. 488: Fairbanks Symphony (Univ of Alaska ), 1976
Handel: Organ Concerto in F-Major, Anchorage Festival (2 performances), 1976
Liszt: Concerto in Eb, Fairbanks Symphony ( Univ of Alaska ), 1975COMPLETE PERFORMANCES
A Steinway Artist, James Johnson has played more than 400 solo and collaborative performances in the United States, Europe, and Asia .PRODUCTS OF TEACHING - Competition Winners
2002
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Eugene Sedletsky (6 perf.)
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Miriam Freeman (2 perf.)
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Erica Overmyer
Cherokee (IA) Symphony Competition - Miriam Freeman
OAYO Concerto Competition - Erica Overmyer
MTNA West Central Baldwin Competition (alt.) - Miriam Freeman
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Senior Division) - Albert Chu (first)
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Junior Division) - Miriam Freeman (first)
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Junior Division) - Eugene Sedletsky (2nd)
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Junior Division) - Erica Overmyer (hon. mt.)2001
MTNA State Baldwin Competition - Miriam Freeman
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist (5 performances) - Ellie Kirke
Nebraska FMC State Comptition (first) - Shelley Tifft (first)
Sioux City Youth Symphony Competition (first) - Ellie Kirke (first)
Sioux City Youth Symphony Competition - Megan Harris (hon.men.)
Sioux City Youth Symphony Competition - Shelley Tifft (hon. men.)
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Junior Division) - Eugene Sedletsky (first)
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Junior Division) - Erica Overmyer (hon.men)
OMTA Young Artists Competition (Senior Division) - Shelley Tifft (second)
MTNA West Central Division Baldwin Competition - Eugene Sedletsky (hon.men)2000
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Albert Chu
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Lindsay Hathaway
Heartland Symphony Competition - Matthew Dawson
Heartland Symphony Competition - Dennis McNulty
Omaha Area Youth Orchestra Competition - Ellie Kirke
Omaha Area Youth Orchestra Competition - Albert Chu
MTNA State Baldwin Competition - Eugene Sedletsky
MTNA State Collegiate Competition - Matthew Dawson (alt.)
Sioux City Youth Symphony Competition - Matthew Dawson
Sioux City Youth Symphony Competition - Albert Chu1999
MTNA North Central Division Baldwin Competition - Albert Chu
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Albert Chu
Nebraska FMC State Competition (first) - Mary Margaret Fangman
Nebraska FMC State Competition (second) - Naomi Mimori
Nebraska FMC State Competition (third) - Neil Schumacher
MTNA State Collegiate Competition (alternate) - Matthew Dawson
NMTA State Collegiate Competition (alternate) - Matthew Dawson
OMTA Young Artist Competition (first) - Albert Chu
OMTA Young Artist Competition (hon. ment.) - Mary Margaret Fangman
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist (5 performances) - Joanne Kim
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Mary Margaret Fangman1998
Omaha Symphony Student Soloist - Matthew Dawson
MTNA State Baldwin Competition (first) - Albert Chu
MTNA State Baldwin Competition (alternate) - Esther Lee
MTNA State Yamaha Competition (alternate) - Mary Margaret Fangman
Nebraska FMC State Competition (first) - Joanne Kim
Nebraska FMC State Competition (first, tie) - Matthew Gill
Nebraska FMC State Competition (second) - Matthew Dawson
OMTA Young Artist Competition (first) - Tracy Sargeant
OMTA Young Artist Competition (hon. ment.) - Joanne Kim
UNO Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition - Matthew Dawson
UNO Chamber Orchestra Concert Competition - Naomi Mimori1997
MTNA State Yamaha Competition (first) - Mary Margaret Fangman
MTNA State Yamaha Competition (alternate) - Tracey Sargeant
MTNA State Baldwin Competition (alternate) - Esther Lee
Heartland Symphony Competition - Thomas Kodera
Omaha Youth Symphony Competition - Majel Connery
OMTA Young Artist Competition (first ) - Mary Margaret Fangman
OMTA Young Artist Competition - Joanna Kim
OMTA Young Artist Competition - Esther Lee
Nebraska FMC State Competition (first) - Joseph McKinley
Nebraska FMC State Competition (second) - Kathryn Bacasmot1996
Nebraska FMC State Competition (first) - Kyung Hyun Cho
Nebraska FMC State Competition (second) - Matthew Gill1993
Fairbanks Symphony Competition - Vivian Lee
Fairbanks Symphony Competition - Damon McLay1991
Fairbanks Symphony Competition - Vivian Lee1990
MTNA State Baldwin Competition - Erica Strandberg1989
MTNA State Mason & Hamlin Competition - Gabrielle Nelson1986
MTNA State Mason & Hamlin Competition - Eiluned Roberts1983
MTNA State Mason & Hamlin Competition - Paul Krejci
MTNA State Collegiate Artist Competition - Greg Balen1981
MTNA State Mason & Hamlin Competition - Maria Chong
Alaska Biennial Competition - Maria Chong
Fairbanks Symphony Competition - Theodore Vincent1980
Maxim Shapiro Competition - Sylvia Roederer1979
MTNA State Collegiate Artist Competition - Deborah Hall
MTNA State Mason & Hamlin Competition - Maria Chong
Fairbanks Symphony Award Performance - Maria Chong
Fairbanks Symphony Competition - Sandra Hearing
Alaska Biennial Competition - Maria Chong
Alaska Biennial Competition - Sandra Hearing
Alaska Biennial Competition - Deborah Hall
Alaska Biennial Competition - Susan Day1978
MTNA State Collegiate Artist Competition - Susan Day
MTNA State Baldwin Competition - Maria Chong
Maxim Shapiro Competition - Maria Chong1977
Fairbanks Symphony Competition - Susan DayAWARDS, HONORS
Robert M. Spire Chair in Music, 2002 - present
Steinway Artist, since 1994
Excellence in Teaching Award (university-wide), UNOmaha,, 2001
Isaacson Chair in Music, UNOmaha , 1994-2001
Marilyn Offut-Sullivan Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, UNOmaha , 1997
Exceptional performance award, UNOmaha , 1995 - 2001
University of Arizona School of Music Alumni Award, for Excellence in Teaching and Performance, 1995
Recording of works of Kabalevsky, Muczynski featured on "Best Recordings of 1991" list of Bound forSound Magazine, 1992
Recordings of Beethoven First Concerto (1983) and Mendelssohn Concerti (1979) featured as "Recordings of the Month" by Musical Heritage Society
Recording of works of Chaminade/Dohnanyi featured on Clavier magazine’s "Best Recent Recordings" list, 1980
Who's Who in America , since 1997
Who’s Who in the West 1989-1998
Who's Who in the Midwest , since 1998
National finalist, United States Information Agency Musical Ambassadors, 1983
Faculty merit award, University of Alaska Fairbanks , 1990
Faculty merit award, University of Alaska Fairbanks , 1980
Inspirational Teaching award, University of Alaska Fairbanks , 1978
Elected to Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society, 1999
Elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, 1986
Elected to Phi Kappa Phi, 1978TEACHERS (Piano)
Louis Kentner, London , England , 1976, 1978
Anjelica Morales von Sauer, Stillwater , 1976
Ozan Marsh, University of Arizona , Chautauqua Institution, 1966-1974
Patricia Benkman-Marsh, Tucson , Arizona , Chautauqua Institution, 1966-1974
David Gibson, Furman University , Greenville, South Carolina, 1961-1966
Lee Luvisi, Brevard ( North Carolina ) Music Center , 1965TEACHERS (Organ)
Joan Lippincott, Westminster Choir College , Princeton, New Jersey, 1984-1985
Eugene Roan, Westminster Choir College , Princeton, New Jersey, 1984-1985
Roy Andrew Johnson, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona, 1967-1972
William Partridge, Converse College , Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1964-1966
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