Carter
Johnson
Pianist
ABOUT
Praised for his sensitivity and artistic depth, twenty-four-year-old Carter Johnson has established himself as one of Canada’s most promising young pianists.
In 2018, Johnson won the top prize in two of Canada’s most important competitions, winning both Grand Prize in the OSM Manulife Competition as well as First Prize (along with the prize for the best performance of the test piece) in the CMC Stepping Stone competition. He has performed with orchestras including l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, l’Orchestre Métropolitain, the Orchestra of the Americas, and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and his playing has been broadcasted by Medici TV and Radio-Canada. Johnson has collaborated with artists including Paolo Bortolameolli, Fredrika Brillembourg, Haik Kazazyan, Tania Miller, Carlos Miguel Prieto, David Robertson, and Arianna Zukerman—he has also performed with the string members of the Gryphon Trio. Johnson’s extensive competition experience also includes competitions such as in the Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition (Guangdong, China), the Hilton Head International Piano Competition (South Carolina, USA), the International J.S. Bach Competition (Leipzig, Germany) and the Julia Crane International Piano Competition (New York, USA), where he won second prize at age 16. Johnson’s other competition prize winnings include second prize in the ensemble round of the New York International Piano Competition, first place in the Art Song Competition of Vancouver (with Marie Civitarese, soprano), Second Place (along with the Baroque and chamber music prizes) in the CFMTA National Piano Competition (Regina) at age 14, the award for the best interpretation of the imposed work at the 2015 OSM Manulife Competition (Montréal), third prize in the Shean Piano Competition (Edmonton), and many awards at Performing Arts B.C., including First Prize in all four Canadian divisions.
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“[A] secure, exciting performance, his urgent body language and subtle facial gestures revealing a true appreciation of—and immersion in—the score.”
CBC
In addition to an ARCT in piano performance with Distinction, Johnson also holds an ARCT in piano pedagogy, for which he won the national gold medal at age 18 for the highest marks in Canada.
Johnson began the study of piano at age five with Shelley Roberts (with whom he studied for twelve years), continued studies with Michelle Mares, and then with Mark Anderson at the University of British Columbia, where he received a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. His areas of special interest include the music of J.S. Bach, Brahms, Schumann, contemporary music, and art song (recently, he performed the complete song repertoire of Duparc). In addition to his musical career, Johnson is an accomplished actor and speaker: he holds his ATCL with Distinction in Speech and Drama from Trinity College London and has won many awards for his performances of Shakespeare—combining this experience with his passion for educating audiences, his discussions on music have become a highlight of his recitals for many concertgoers. Johnson lives with his wife Hannah and their sons Preston and Ambrose in New York City where he is active as a soloist, collaborator, and teacher. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School, studying with Joseph Kalichstein and Matti Raekallio.
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“[Il joue] avec une facilité déconcertante…tout est là: virtuosité, compréhension de l’oeuvre, sonorité, articulation, confiance.”
“[He played] with disconcerting ease…everything is there: virtuosity, grasp of the work, sound, articulation, confidence.”
Ludwig van Montréal
Media
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“…cada uno se deleitó con la presencia del pianista canadiense Carter Johnson. Con sus hábiles manos, hacía ver muy fácil la interpretación de Noches en los jardines de España de Manuel de Falla, un tema que fuera ovacionado de pie por los presentes.”
“…everyone was delighted by the presence of Canadian pianist Carter Johnson. With his expert hands, he gave an effortless interpretation of Nights in the Gardens of Spain by Manuel de Falla, which was given a standing ovation by everyone present.”
Periódico El Popular
SCHEDULE
February 8, 2020
Victoria, BC, Canada
Solo recital
with the First Met United Church of Victoria
Works by Froberger, Liszt, Chabrier, and Ravel
February 11, 2020
Surrey, BC, Canada
Solo recital
with Tom Lee Music Canada
Works by Froberger, Liszt, Chabrier, and Ravel
February 12, 2020
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Art song recital with Marie Civitarese, soprano
with the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society
Songs by Debussy, Poulenc, Respighi, and others
March 10, 2020
Manhattan, NY, USA
Solo recital & reception
Special benefit performance with the OA Group
March 14, 2020
St. John’s, NL, Canada
Shostakovich – Piano Concerto no. 1 in C minor
with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
June 22, 2020
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada
Solo recital
with Lulu Performing Arts
October 10, 2020
Hendersonville, NC, USA
Ravel – Concerto for the Left Hand
with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra
March 13, 2021
Wakefield, RI, USA
Piano trio recital with Gregory Lewis, violin, and Fiona Robson, cello
with Core Memory Concerts
April 8, 2021
Montréal, QC, Canada
Solo recital
with Accès Culture Montréal