The Broadmead Residents Association

Pianist Lura Johnson is one of Baltimore/Washington’s most prominent pianists.  Hailed as “brilliant” by the Washington Post, Ms. Johnson is celebrated for her passionate and insightful interpretations of the standard repertoire. She is esteemed by colleagues for her uncommon sensitivity and skill as a collaborative partner.  Trained by luminaries Leon Fleisher and Robert McDonald, she performs regularly in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marin Alsop.  She has collaborated extensively in orchestral performances and recordings with such artists as Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Leila Josefowicz, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet.  Recently appointed Principal Pianist of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Johnson performs as soloist with regional orchestras in Maryland, Ohio, Delaware, and Massachusetts. 

Devoted to chamber music from an early age, Johnson fields a steady stream of invitations to play in ensembles, most frequently with colleagues in the BSO, including concertmaster Jonathan Carney, with whom she has presented the complete Brahms violin sonata cycle. She has been a frequent guest artist at the Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, Virginia. Recent recital partners include clarinetist Anthony McGill, cellist Amit Peled, and flutist Marina Piccinini; among others.

Johnson is Artistic Director of the Baltimore chamber music series Music in the Great Hall, a well-established Baltimore area series with performances by both emerging and established artists.

Equally at home with contemporary music, Johnson plays with the VERGE Ensemble, who are in residence at Washington’s Corcoran Gallery. They have rapidly established a commanding presence in the international music community.

Johnson’s discography includes a chamber music disc released to critical praise in 2001 with award winning flutist Christina Jennings.  In November 2010 Centaur Records released her second chamber music disc, Inner Voice.  A recital with BSO violist Peter Minkler it features sonatas by George Rochberg and Dmitri Shostakovich as well as short pieces by Benjamin Britten and Arvo Pärt. Ms. Johnson can also be heard on several recordings released by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, including Naxos’ Grammy nominated release of the Bernstein Mass, on which she played principal keyboard. A committed teacher, Johnson serves on the faculty of Peabody Conservatory.

Ms. Johnson is a Steinway Artist (www.steinway.com/artists/solo/j). For more information, visit www.lurajohnson.com