ADAM JOHNSON
Conductor
In the Press
Biography & CV
Thrilling audiences at the top levels of the Canadian music scene, award-winning Canadian conductor Adam Johnson has been praised as “an exciting talent” and for his “charismatic, commanding presence” on the podium. A highly-sought leader, he completed his training in his role as Assistant Conductor of the Montréal Symphony Orchestra from 2016-2018, and was appointed Resident Conductor for the 2018-2019 season. He collaborated closely with Music Director Kent Nagano on recordings for Decca and Analekta, and contributed to performances in Carnegie Hall, the Salzburg Festival, and a major European tour. He has conducted more than 65 concerts with the OSM and is frequently reengaged as a guest conductor.
Prior to his tenure in Montréal, Johnson served for three seasons with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, initially as Resident Conductor (2013-2015), and subsequently as Associate Conductor (2015-2016). He has also guest-conducted the Edmonton, Québec, Trois-Rivières, Saskatoon, Regina, Guelph and Thunder Bay symphony orchestras, as well as Symphony Nova Scotia, l’Orchestre du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, and l’Orchestre symphonique de l’Estuaire. Internationally he has conducted the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, the Staatsorhester Rheinische Philharmonie and members of the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg.
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Repertoire
Performance History
Contemporary
Repertoire
News
October 2017
October 2017
Maestro Johnson had an eventful month of October, conducting several programs with the OSM. First up was his Main Series debut, conducting three performances of works by Barber, Bernstein, Ravel, Estacio, and Tomasi. A few days later he conducted a concert in collaboration with internationally celebrated deaf rapper Signmark, and on the same day stepped in for Kent Nagano to rehearse Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra on a few hours notice, in preparation for the OSM's visit to Carnegie Hall. While in New York he led the orchestra for the sound check on the legendary stage while M. Nagano checked balance in the hall.
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Maestro Johnson had an eventful month of October, conducting several programs with the OSM. First up was his Main Series debut, conducting three performances of works by Barber, Bernstein, Ravel, Estacio, and Tomasi. A few days later he conducted a concert in collaboration with internationally celebrated deaf rapper Signmark, and on the same day stepped in for Kent Nagano to rehearse Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra on a few hours notice, in preparation for the OSM's visit to Carnegie Hall. While in New York he led the orchestra for the sound check on the legendary stage while M. Nagano checked balance in the hall.
September 2017
September 2017
Adam Johnson teamed up with Half Moon Run and composer Blair Thomson to present two sold out concerts for screaming fans. Stay tuned for upcoming repeat performances.
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Adam Johnson teamed up with Half Moon Run and composer Blair Thomson to present two sold out concerts for screaming fans. Stay tuned for upcoming repeat performances.
July 2017
July 2017
Catch Adam Johnson and the OSM as they perform in the celebrated Just For Laughs Festival with André Sauvé, as well as 4 free outdoor concerts in parks in the greater Montreal area. Info: www.osm.ca
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Catch Adam Johnson and the OSM as they perform in the celebrated Just For Laughs Festival with André Sauvé, as well as 4 free outdoor concerts in parks in the greater Montreal area. Info: www.osm.ca
June 2017
June 2017
Adam Johnson's first season as Assistant Conductor to Kent Nagano and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal was a resounding success! In addition to 23 concerts conducted, he was cover conductor for 11 international guest conductors, and balanced sound for 24 international soloists. He assisted with a Decca recording under Kent Nagano and several Medici.tv broadcasts.
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Adam Johnson's first season as Assistant Conductor to Kent Nagano and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal was a resounding success! In addition to 23 concerts conducted, he was cover conductor for 11 international guest conductors, and balanced sound for 24 international soloists. He assisted with a Decca recording under Kent Nagano and several Medici.tv broadcasts.
April 2017
April 2017
Adam Johnson returned to the Université de Montréal where he spent 8 years as a graduate student in piano performance, this time leading the OSM in works by Bernstein, Stravinsky, and 4 doctoral students from the UdeM. In addition to performing the works, Adam provided a brief workshop for each of the composers in front of the audience.
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Adam Johnson returned to the Université de Montréal where he spent 8 years as a graduate student in piano performance, this time leading the OSM in works by Bernstein, Stravinsky, and 4 doctoral students from the UdeM. In addition to performing the works, Adam provided a brief workshop for each of the composers in front of the audience.
April 2017
April 2017
A triumphant return to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as Guest Conductor, with pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin and bassoonist Christopher Sales in a Viennese program of Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert.
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A triumphant return to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as Guest Conductor, with pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin and bassoonist Christopher Sales in a Viennese program of Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert.
March 2017
March 2017
Adam Johnson met and travelled with his childhood idol Martha Argerich! They spent 3 days together in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where Ms. Argerich performed and taught with Walter Delahunt.
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Adam Johnson met and travelled with his childhood idol Martha Argerich! They spent 3 days together in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where Ms. Argerich performed and taught with Walter Delahunt.
December 2016
December 2016
After another highly successful concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Adam Johnson has been invited for an all-Dvorak program in Feb. 2018.
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After another highly successful concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Adam Johnson has been invited for an all-Dvorak program in Feb. 2018.
December 2015
December 2015
Adam Johnson made his debut with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (the orchestra that first inspired him to become a musician!) and has a return engagement in December 2016.
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Adam Johnson made his debut with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (the orchestra that first inspired him to become a musician!) and has a return engagement in December 2016.
