PROJECTS
Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra/ Finnish Music / Hanns Eisler
Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra
Craig Randal Johnson, Co-Founder and Artistic Director
Craig Randal Johnson (Artistic Director) and Hilary Santoni (Manager) founded Minnehaha Music in 2013. The name was subsequently changed to the Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra. Based in Edina MN, the 'MRO' is a reading orchestra, which plays through primarily standard orchestral repertoire. Since its inception in the fall of 2013, the Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra has read upwards of 160 works, in addition to playing a yearly public symphony concert. Over 150 musicians have played at the orchestra's reading sessions.
The Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra is organized under the auspices of the Edina Community Foundation, enabling donors to make tax-deductible contributions. Concerts and additional events, classes or presentations are free, making contributions the sole means of support. Visit the website for more information about the MRO. Learn about opportunities for musicians to play and perform, and to make a donation.
Breaktime at a Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra Reading Session
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Works played at reading sessions or performed in concert
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2023-2024 Season: Reading Sessions
Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72a
Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture
Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
Elgar: Enigma Variations
Gliere: Symphony No. 1
Haydn: Symphony No 60 ‘Il distratto’
Haydn, J.: Symphony No. 99 in E-flat
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90/ ‘Italian’
Mendelssohn: Ruy Blas Overture, Op. 95
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro Overture/K. 492
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor/K. 550
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3, Op. 27 "Sinfonia Espansiva"
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 "Classical"
Sibelius: En Saga, Op. 9
Wagner: Overture to the Flying Dutchman
Wagner: Prelude to Act I, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Wagner: Prelude to Act III, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
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Works Performed in Concert: January 21, 2024
Kyle Sanborn, Double Bass Soloist
Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op, 84
Vanhal: Double Bass Concerto in D
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 17 “The Little Russian” -
2022-2023 Season: Reading Sessions
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Brahms: Tragic Overture, Op. 81
Brahms: Symphony No 3 in F Major, Op. 90
Elgar: Cockaigne Overture
Haydn, J.: Symphony No. 22 'Philosopher'
Haydn, J. Symphony No. 88 in G Major
Lully: Selections from 'La Bourgeois gentilhomme'
Mahler: Songs of a Wayfarer/ Wendy Lukaszewski, Soprano
Mendelssohn: Ruy Blas Overture, Op. 95
Mozart: Symphony No. 36 in C Major/ K. 425
Scarlatti, A.: Concerto Grosso in D (so-called Symphony in D)
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43
Strauss, R.: Der Rosenkavalier, Waltz Sequence No. 1
Telemann: Water Music
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 3 in D Major, Op. 29 "Polish"
Verdi: Prelude to 'Rigoletto'
Verdi: La Forza del Destino Overture
Wagner: Overture to the Flying Dutchman
von Weber: Overture to Der Freischutz
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Works Performed in Concert: March 19, 2023
Paul Kosower, Solo Cellist
Chadwick: 'Euterpe' Concert Overture
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Guillaume, T.: Birds and Bugs
Dvorak: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104
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2021-2022 Season: Reading Sessions
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A Major
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88
John Madura, Conductor
Dvorak: Carnival Overture, Op. 91
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
John Madura, Conductor
Haydn, J.: Symphony No. 94 in G Major "Surprise"
Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 21
Mozart: Serenade in D/ "Posthorn" K. 320
Mozart: Serenade "Gran Partita" K. 361
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D/ "Haffner" K. 385
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C/ "Jupiter" K. 551
Rossini: Semiramide Overture
Sibelius: Symphony No. 3 in C, Op. 52
Smetana: The 'Moldau'
Strauss, R.: Serenade for Winds, Op. 7
_______________________________________________________________2020-2021 Season: Orchestra Haitus due to the Pandemic
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2019-2020 Season: Reading SessionsBeethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 55 'Eroica'
Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
Borodin: Polovetzian Dances
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
Debussy: La Mer
Enescu: Roumanian Rhapsody No. 1
Haydn: Symphony No. 72 in D
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D, K. 385 'Haffner'
Mozart: Don Giovanni Overture, K. 527
Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre
Sibelius: Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22
Stravinsky: Fireworks, Op. 4
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 'Little Russian'
_____________________________________________________________Works Performed in Concert: January 19, 2020
Daniel Keeler, Cello SoloistBeethoven: Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124
Bloch: Schelomo/ Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra
Schumann, R.: Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
_____________________________________________________________2018-2019 Season: Reading Sessions
Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 84
Beethoven: Symphony No 8 in F Major, Op. 93
Bloch: Schelomo/ Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra
Daniel Keeler, cello
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68
Dvorak: 'My Homeland'/ Concert Overture, Op. 62
Dvorak : Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"
Haydn: Symphony No. 92 in G Major "Oxford"
Mendelssohn: Melusine Overture, Op. 32
Mier: Of Lakes and Legends
Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 183
Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat, K. 543
Rossini : William Tell Overture
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39
Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini: Symphonic Fantasy after Dante, Op. 32
Wagner: Rienzi Overture
Wagner: Prelude, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
_____________________________________________________________Works Performed in Concert: January 20, 2019
Archer Brown, Violin Soloist
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46
Madetoja: Symphony No. 1, Op. 29
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61
Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36
___________________________________________________________2017-2018 Season: Reading Sessions
Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture
Borodin: Prince Igor Overture
Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Dvorak: Slavonic Dances, Op. 72 (Nos. 1 - 8)
Elgar: Enigma Variations
Franck: Symphony in D Minor
Haydn: Symphony No. 92 in G Major "Oxford"
Liszt: Les Preludes
Mahler: Songs of a Wayfarer/ Wendy Lukaszewski, Soprano
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 'Reformation'
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro Overture
Mozart: The Magic Flute Overture
Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36
Schulz: Butterfly Garden
Smetana: Overture to The Bartered Bride
Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33
John Madura, Cellist
_______________________________________________________________2016-2017 Season: Reading Sessions
Barber: The School for Scandal Overture
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4, Op. 60
Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 1
Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1
Archer Brown, Violinist
Davidson: Dove Gloria (arrangement)
Dvorak: The Wood Dove, Op. 110 (tone poem)
Haydn: Cello Concerto in D
John Madura, Cellist
Haydn: Symphony No. 88 in G Major
Haydn: Symphony No. 99
Reger: Variations on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132
Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11
Strauss, R.: Don Juan, Op. 20
Stravinsky: Little Suite No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in e minor, Op. 64
Wagner: Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
Wendy Lukaszewski, Soprano
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Works Performed in Concert: November 13, 2016
Deborah Elias, Flamenco Dancer/ Solo ArtistAlbéniz: Leyenda (Preludio-Asturius)
Bizet: Habanera, from Carmen
Debussy: Petite Suitede
Falla: Danza No. 1 from La vide breve
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy
Verdi: Overture from I Vespri Siciliani
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2015-2016 Season: Reading Sessions
Barber: First Essay for Orchestra
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
Carl, Robert: The White Heron (composed 2012)
Elgar: Dream Children, Op. 43
Haydn: Symphony No. 82 ‘The Bear’
Haydn: Symphony No. 103 ‘Drum Roll’
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 ‘Scottish’
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 "Sinfonia Espansiva", Op. 27
Ravel: Le Tombeau du Couperin
Rossini: La scala di seta Overture
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 17 ‘Little Russian’
Wagner: The Flying Dutchman Overture
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Works Performed in Concert: November 8, 2015
Elizabeth York, Violin Soloist
Gounod: Ballet Music from ‘Faust’
Dvorak: Romance for Violin and Orchestra in F minor, Op. 11
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen"s Return, Op. 22
Hanson: Symphony No. 2 ‘Romantic’, Op. 30
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2014-2015 Season: Reading Sessions
Beethoven: Prometheus Overture, Op. 43
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A, Op 92
Borodin: Symphony No. 2
Bizet: Symphony in C
Dvorak: Symphony No. 6 in D, Op. 60
Elgar: Cockaigne Overture ‘In London Town’
de Falla: Danza Española No. 1/ La vide breve
Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande
Franck: Symphony in D Minor
Haydn: Symphony No. 99
Mendelssohn: Midsummer Nights Dream Ov., Op. 21
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3, K. 216
Kelly Carter, Violin
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen’s Return
Tschaikowsky: Polonaise from Eugene Onegin
Wagner: Prelude Act I/ Parsifal von
Weber: Oberon Overture
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Works Performed in Concert: November 9, 2014
Justin Berkowitz, Tenor
Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 84
Opera Arias: Donizetti, Mozart, Rossini
Smetana: The Moldau, from My Country (Ma Vlast)
Tchaikovsky: Selections from the Sleeping Beauty Ballet
Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande, Prelude
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2013-2014 Season: Reading Sessions
Beethoven: Septet Op. 20
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4, Op. 60
Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 84
Beethoven: Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124
Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77, first movement
Elizabeth York, Violin
Brahms: Tragic Overture, Op. 81
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in e minor, Op. 98
Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in d minor, Op. 70
Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E-flat, K. 543
Mozart: Cosi fan tutte Overture
Mozart: The Magic Flute Overture
Prokofiev: Symphony No 1 “Classical”
Schubert: Symphony No. 9 “The Great C”
Schumann, R: Symphony No. 3, Op. 97 ‘Rhenish’
Smetana: The Moldau (from Ma Vlast)
Smetana: Sarka (from Ma Vlast)
Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani Overture
von Weber: Der Freischütz OvertureThe first reading session was held on September 21, 2013. It featured the Mozart ‘Cosi fan tutte Overture’, Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony, and the Prokofiev ‘Classical’ Symphony.
Three Decades Performing Music from Finland
Craig Randal Johnson has devoted much of his creative energy performing music from Finland. His musical story really begins in early childhood, as his maternal grandparents were Finnish immigrants who spoke little English. Finnish customs, attitudes, sauna and also the music of Jean Sibelius were part of Craig Johnson's life from early childhood onwards. This background and a strong interest in European and Russian history laid the background for Craig's deep interest in Finland and Finnish music.
Since 1993 Craig Randal Johnson has performed Finnish piano music at various ethnic functions, in full recitals and for special events. He has conducted six FinnFest symphony concerts and has programmed Finnish works on various orchestral programs. Mr. Johnson has performed numerous works by contemporary composers including Olli Kortekangas, Kari Tikka, Jukka Linkola, Erik Bergman, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Jouni Kaipainen, Uljas Pulkkis, Jaakko Kuusisto and others, as well as music by Finnish national romantic composers, and the music of Jean Sibelius. He has collaborated with Finnish baritone Esa Ruuttunen, and American soprano Mimmi Fulmer, playing numerous Finnish vocal-piano recitals in the US, Canada and Finland.
Craig Randal Johnson was 'Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year' in 1999 when he performed circa 25 Finnish programs around the United States. In 2017 Mr. Johnson was honored by the Finnish government as a 'Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland', for his extensive support of Finnish music and culture, as a conductor and pianist.
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July 28, 2023: FinnFest Symphony Orchestra Concert/ Duluth MN
US Premiere/ Jaakko Kuusisto: Piano Concerto/ Mackenzie Melemed, Piano SoloistJanuary 20, 2019: Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra/ Edina, MN
Leevi Madetoja: Symphony No. 1November 8, 2015: Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra/ Edina, MN
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen's Return, Op. 22August 8, 2014: Chamber Symphony Concert at FinnFest 2014/ MInneapolis, MN
Uljas Pulkkis: Concerto for Cello and Chamber Ensemble (1999/ Katri Ervamaa, Soloist
Olli Kortekangas: Triptyykki seitsemälle (Triptych for Seven, 2008)
Both US PremieresAugust 11, 2011: Chamber Symphony Concert at FinnFest/ San Diego CA
Aki Yli-Salomäki: Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra (2004)/ Gregory Barrett, Clarinet
Sibelius: Quintet in G minor (1890) for Piano Solo and String Orchestra
Folke Gräsbeck, Piano/ adapted by Jouni Kaipainen
Both US Premieres
James Koenig, baritone soloist: Sibelius Songs
July 15 and 17, 2011: ‘Rockland The Opera/ Pine Mountain Music Festival, Rozsa Center/ Houghton, MI
US Premiere of new opera by Jukka Linkola (see internet for more information The production featured a large international cast, chorus and a 43 piece orchestra
July 27, 2007: FinnFest USA 2007 Symphony Concert/ Ashtabula, OH
Lakeside Performing Arts Theater
US Premiere/ Erkki Melartin: Violin Concerto, Op. 60/ Elizabeth Bell, Violinist
July 15, 2007: Boreal Chamber Symphony/ Marquette, MI
US Premiere of Kari Tikka’s ‘Exsultate!/ Overture Bellosio
Choreographed and danced by Maria Formolo
August 11, 2005: Finn Grand Fest Gala Festival Concert/ Marquette, MI
James Koenig, Baritone Soloist and Festival Chorus
August 11, 2002: Finnfest Symphony Concert
Ted Mann Concert Hall/ Minneapolis, MN
US Premiere/ Kari Tikka: Threnos, for String Orchestra
Commemorating the Victims of New York and Washington/ September 11, 2001
Soloists : Ulla Suokko, Flute; Eeva Savolainen, Soprano; James Koenig, Baritone
December 6, 1997: 80th Anniversary of Finnish Independence Concert/ Minneapolis, MN
First Unitarian Society/ Festival Orchestra -
February 5, 2023: Finnish Vocal Art Music
Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Church/ Minneapolis, MN
November 11, 2022: SIRIL CONCERT SERIES/ Finnish Vocal Art Music
Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
Reynolds Recital Hall @ Northern Michigan Univ./ Marquette, MI
October 29, 2017: Finnish Clarinet Gala, 100 Years Finland Independence
Gregory Barrett, Clarinet/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Church/ Minneapolis, MN
September 17, 2017: "Northern Lights", 100 Years Finland Independence
Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
Christ Church Lutheran/ Minneapolis, MN
September 8, and Evening 10, 2017: Celebrating 100 Years of Finnish Independence
Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
Mead Witter School of Music/ University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
May 21, 2017: Reformation, Runes and Reverberations
James Koenig, Baritone/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
Christ Church Lutheran/ Minneapolis, MN
October 11, 2015: ‘Jean Sibelius and His Shadow’ Finnish Music with Clarinet and Piano
Gregory Barrett, Clarinet
FinnFest 2015/ Buffalo, NY
October 2, 2015: ‘Jean Sibelius and His Shadow’ Finnish Music with Clarinet and Piano
Gregory Barrett, Clarinet
Northern Illinois University/ DeKalb, IL
August 9, 2014: Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
FinnFest 2014, Wesley Center/ Minneapolis, MN
November 9, 2012: Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
FinnFest 2012/ Tucson, AZ
November 8, 2012: Finnish Chamber Music Concert
Ulla Suokko, Flute/ Mimmi Fulmer, Soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, Pianist
FinnFest 2012/ Tucson, AZ
October 29, 2011: Finlandia Foundation Gala Concert and Dinner
Maarit Vaga, soprano/ Craig Randal Johnson, pianist
EMBASSY OF FINLAND/ Washington, D.C.
August 13, 2011: Chamber Music Concert - Craig Randal Johnson, Artistic Director Chamber works by Madetoja, Lindberg, Martttinen, Saariaho, Tiensuu, Sibelius
FinnFest 2011/ San Diego, CA
June 2011: ‘The Road Below Me’/ Tie jalkojeni alla Pine Mountain Music Festival
Esa Ruuttunen, baritoni/ Craig Randal Johnson, piano
27. June: Houghton, Michigan
25. June: Kingsford, Michigan
23. June: Marquette, Michigan
July 28, 2010: “Sinuhun turvaan” - Recital
Esa Ruuttunen, baritone/ Craig Randal Johnson, piano
Finn Grand Fest 2010/ Sault Ste. Marie, CANADA
June 2010: “Sinuhun turvaan” - Konsertti
Esa Ruuttunen, baritoni/ Craig Randal Johnson, piano
7. Kesäkuu: Haapaveden kirkossa/ Haapavesi FI
6. Kesäkuu: Ylivieskatalo Akustiikassa/ Ylivieska FI
3. Kesäkuu: Haapajärven seurakuntatalolla/ Haapajärvi FI
August 16, 2009: Strings on the Bay / Chamber Concert
Featured the rarely played Leevi Madetoja ‘Trio, Op. 1’
Paul Lundin, violin/ Katri Ervamaa, cello/ Craig Randal Johnson, piano
Church of the Redeemer Presbyterian/ Manistique, MI
August 17, 2009: Strings on the Bay
Same Program as August 26, 2009
Bay de Noc Community College/ Escanaba, MI
June 8, 2005: International Society of Bassists Convention
Double Bass-Piano version: New Bass Concerto by Finnish Composer Jukka Linkola
Evan Premo, double bass/ Craig Randal Johnson, piano
Western Michigan University/ Kalamazoo, MI
October 25 - 27. 2001: ‘Luther’, the Opera, by Kari Tikka
Craig Randal Johnson: Promptor for the Performances
Vocal Repetiteur and chorus pianist
In Association with the Finnish National Opera, Luther Seminary and Central Lutheran Church Minneapolis, MN
October 27, 2000: Bible Songs / Luther Reformation Festival
Kari Tikka, composer/ Sauli Tiilikainen, baritone/ Craig Johnson, pianist
Luther Seminary/ St. Paul, MN
August 9, 1997: “The Water is Wide”
Eeva Savolainen, soprano/ Kari Sundstrom, trumpet
Finnish American Home Association/ Sonoma, CA
October 25, 1996: Reformation Festival/ Recital
Esa Ruuttunen, baritone, Craig Johnson, pianist
Featuring in part works of Kari Tikka
Luther Seminary/ St. Paul, MN -
September 20, 2023: Finnish Piano Music
Salolampi; Finnish Concordia Language Camp/ Bemidji, MN
December 8, 2017: Piano Music from Finland/ Suomi-Finland 100
Solo Recital
Hampden Hall @ Englewood Civic Center/ Englewood, CO
December 2, 2017: Finland 100 Gala Concert
Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts/ Houghton, MI
October 4, 2017: Civil War/ Gustav Mannerheim/ The Sibelius Connection
Common Strands @ University of Minnesota/ Minneapolis, MN
September 23, 2017: Piano Music from Finland/ 100 Years Finland Independence
Solo Recital
Bethany Lutheran Church/ Ashtabula, OH
June 23-24, 2017: Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival/ Piano Programs
Hjemkomst Festival/ Moorhead, MN
March 14, 2017: Piano Music from Finland, Solo Recital
Department of Music Guest Artist Series
Reynolds Recital Hall/ Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
January 23, 2017: Piano Music from Finland, Solo Recital
Normandale Lutheran Church/ Edina, MN
May 17, 2015: ‘Sibelius at 150’, Solo Recital
Clark Memorial Chapel/ Pomfret, CT
May 15, 2015: ‘Jean Sibelius at 150’, Solo Recital
Thomaston Federated Church/ Thomaston, ME
August 9, 2014: Piano Music from Finland FinnFest 2014
Wesley Center/ Minneapolis, MN
January 27, 2014: Solo Recital
Coulter Building Recital Hall
Western Carolina University/ Cullowhee, NC
The concert contained both Finnish and non-Finnish/ American compositions; was billed as a Finnish and American concert. The same program was also performed in Dalton GA at Dalton College and Lookout Mt GA at Covenant College
November 9, 2012: Solo Piano Recital
FinnFest 2012/ Tucson, AZ
June 10, 2011: Suomalaista Pianomusiikkia, Solo Recital
Ylivieskatalo Akustiikassa/ Ylivieska, Finland
June 5, 2011: Solo Recital ‘Das Klavierelebnis’
Eilenriedestift/ Hannover, DE
The concert contained both Finnish and non-Finnish/ American compositions; was billed as a Scandinavian and American concert. Sibelius, Kokkonen and Melartin were performed.
January 24, 2011: Solo Recital
James J. Hill House/ St. Paul, MN
Works by Madetoja, Kokkonen, and non-Finnish composers.
July 10, 2009: Solo Recital ‘Finnische Klaviermusik mit deutschen Einflüßen’
Finnish piano music with German influence
Hannover (Kleefeld), DE
July 23, 2008: Solo Pianist at Opening Ceremony
FinnFest 2008 at the DECC/ Duluth, MN
August 10, 2006: Solo Recital
SISU Seminar at Univ. of Minnesota Duluth/ Duluth, MN
February 18, 2006: Lecture/ Performace at NORDIC SPIRIT SYMPOSIUM
‘The Piano as a Contemporary Voice in Scandinavian Culture’
Works by Rautavaara and Kaipainen, also Nielsen, Kvandal, Peterson-Berger
California Lutheran University/ Thousand Oaks, CA
November 29, 2004: Solo Recital, Recent Piano Music
Fine Arts Theater at Southwest Minnesota State University/ Marshall, MN
Mixed program included works by Bergman, Aarre Merikanto and Rautavaara
June 25 - 27, 2004: Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival/ Piano Programs
Hjemkomst Center/ Moorhead, MM
February 28, 2004: Nordic Gala Kalevala Day/ Solo Program
Scandinavian program with works by Kuula, Melartin, Sibelius, Madetoja and Palmgren
Hjemkomst Center/ Moorhead, MN
February 7, 2004: Solo Piano Recital/ Piano Music from Finland ‘Talvi Juhla’
James Mann Performing Arts Center/ New York Mills, MN
February 14, 2003: Solo Piano Recital
Marquette Community Concert Association
Works by Melartin, Sibelius, Rautavaara
Kaufman Auditorium/ Marquette, MIAugust 8, 2002: Solo Recital, Piano Music from Finland
FinnFest 2002/ Minneapolis, MN
November 5, 1999: Finnish Music Piano Program
Canterbury Finn Hall/ Canterbury, CT
November 3, 1999: Piano Music from Finland
The Hartt School/ The Institute of Contemporary American Music
Hartford, CT
October 28, 1999: Piano Music from Finland
Illinois Wesleyan University/ Bloomington, IL
October 1999: Five solo programs in Irving, Texas, elementary schools
September 16, 1999: Solo Recital
Music of Sweden, Norway and Finland
Delgado Community College/ New Orleans, LA
September 14, 1999: Solo Recital
Southeastern Louisiana University/ Hammond, LA
July 10, 1999: Solo Recital:
Soiree chez David Braslau
Minneapolis, MN
June 24, 1999: Collaboration with ‘The Singing Strings’
Goodman Auditorium/ Virginia, MN
The same program was played in Ely, MN
May 25, 1999: Solo Piano Recital/ Raahe 350 Vuotta
Raahesali/ Raahe, Finland
May 12, 1999: Solo Piano Appearance Finnish Delegation Reception
Presented by the Finnish-American Society of Dallas/ Ft. Worth
Irving Arts Center/ Irving, TX
May, 1999: Six solo programs in Irving, Texas, elementary schools
April 25, 1999: Solo Recital
Music of Finland, Sweden, Norway
Grace Lutheran Church/ Palo Alto, CA
April 24, 1999: Solo Recital
FAHA Heritage Center/ Sonoma, CA
April 23, 1999: Solo Recital ‘Piano Music from Finland’
Lutheran Church of the Cross/ Berkeley, CA
April 11, 1999: Solo Appearance
Erkki Melartin’s ‘Melancholy Garden, Op. 52
Nordvendt Mindekirken Concert Series/ Minneapolis, MN
March 28, 1999: ‘Suomi Solstice Sunday Salon in Silverlake’/ Solo Recital
“Piano, Pulla, and Pre-Pääsiäisaamun Plesantries”
Los Angeles, CA
March 27, 1999: Solo Program
Los Angeles Chapter, Finlandia Foundation Dinner
Pasadena, CA
January 28, 1999: Solo Recital ‘Piano Music from Finland’
Suomi College (Finlandia University)/ Hancock, MI
October 17, 1998: Solo Program / Works by Scandinavian Composers
15th Scandinavian Ball/ Denver, CO
February 21, 1998: ‘Contemporary Finnish Music/ Craig Johnson’
Program including works by Kokkonen, Melartin and Rautavaara
Music on the Saint Croix/ Stillwater, MN
June, 1997: Solo Recital, Finnfest USA
Minot, ND
April 6, 1997: Solo Recital ‘Piano Music from Finland’
Sundin Hall at Hamline University/ St. Paul, MN
This recital was the first ‘Piano Music from Finland’ program, and the most important.
March 31, 1996: Solo Recital/ Center for New Music
Clapp Auditorium at the University of Iowa/ Iowa City, IA
This American music program included Erik Bergman’s brand new work
‘Omaggio a Christoforo Colombo’ ( composed 1991).
May 4, 1995: Solo Recital ‘The New Music Café’
Illinois Wesleyan University/ Bloomington, IL
This American music program also included Erik Bergman’s brand new work
‘Omaggio a Christoforo Colombo’ (composed 1991)
On March 31, 1998, I played a recital in the Temppeliaukio Kirkko/ The Rock Church, in Helsinki. The program had an American theme, I didn’t play Finnish music on that occasion.
Craig Randal Johnson
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CD: Piano Music from Finland ‘ A Finnish Musical Tour’
Mr. Johnson’s CD 'Piano Music from Finland features music by nine different Finnish composers, including the first recording of Matti Tuhkala's 'Romance-Fantasy/ Romanssi Kanteleelle. This as well as live performance Finnish music selections can be viewed on Craig Randal Johnson’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@craigrandaljohnson9093. The recording was made in 2002 at Minnesota Public Radio. The CD is still available; contact Craig Randal Johnson to obtain a copy..
Hanns Eisler Project
Hanns Eisler (1898 - 1962), a German composer little known in the United States, is one of the most fascinating musical figures of the 20th century. An early protege of Arnold Schönberg, Eisler's remarkable songs and stage music written in pre-World War II Europe were major features of left-wing and anti-Nazi rallies and programs. Eisler spent several years in the USA, writing film music in Hollywood, and subsequently became a leading figure in the tormented East German music world following World War II. He was Bertolt Brecht's primary musical collaborator for many years.
Mr. Johnson's appearances include two broadcasts as pianist with the noted writer and Brecht expert Eric Bentley on WNYC in New York, an appearance at the Eisler centenary concert in New York in 1998, as well as performances in Hannover DE, Helsinki, St. Paul and Madison WI. The production 'Burning and Never Growing Cold', featuring vocalists David Jordan Harris and Manon Gimlett, ran at both the Illusion and Southern Theaters in Minneapolis in the late 1990s. Earlier Mr. Johnson directed the stage music for the large-scale Osnabrück production of the Brecht-Eisler play 'Schweyk im zweiten Weltkrieg'/ Schweyk in the Second World War.
A composer for all seasons, Eisler wrote remarkable 'workers' songs, alongside highly atonal lieder, compelling theater music, piano and instrumental music. Mr. Johnson plays the first and second piano sonatas, the Variations composed in the USA in 1940, and a wide variety of shorter works, especially for voice and piano.