This August, acclaimed pianist and north Island native Carter Johnson will return to give a series of three ensemble concerts.
Each recital will be a unique program performed by Johnson along with other guest artists, all of whom have also met great success with Comox audiences.
On Friday, Aug. 3, Johnson will perform with pianist Matthew Krell. On Friday, Aug. 17 he will perform with violinist Gregory Lewis, and on Friday, Aug. 24 there will be a special trio recital comprising Lewis, Johnson, and cellist Helena Jung.
Johnson has enjoyed a highly successful year so far, grabbing first place in both the First Annual Art Song Competition of Vancouver and in the recent Canadian national Stepping Stone competition.
He also was a prizewinner in the 2018 New York International Piano Competition and recently returned from the International Bach Competition in Leipzig. In addition to this, Johnson was married last August and he and his wife welcomed a baby boy into the world this May.
Pianist Matthew Krell has been a frequent prizewinner in competitions both in Canada and in California. He has been praised for his natural technique, raw musicality, comedic sensibility, and audience appeal.
Violinist Gregory Lewis was featured last year as one of CBC’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30.” He has been a soloist with the Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Kitchener-Waterloo, Consortium Aurora Borealis, and UofM symphony orchestras.
Jung, a Comox resident, has performed with the Jeunesses Musical World Orchestra, the Seoul Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Philharmonic Orchestra. She currently plays with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and is the leader of the Vancouver Island Cello Ensemble.
All three recitals are at 7:30 p.m. at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) and can be purchased at Laughing Oyster or Blue Heron Books. A special rate of $50 is offered for the ticket purchase of all three concerts. Tickets for ages 30 and under (with ID) are on sale for $10. Refreshments will be served.
