Metamorphoses

METAMORPHPOSESJean Johnson, clarinetMikhail Zemtzov, ViolaIlona Timchenko, Piano

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Metamorphoses is dedicated to presenting both timeless and innovative repertoire for clarinet, viola, and piano — a combination that invites rich colour, lyricism, and surprising possibilities.

This evening’s programme takes its cue from the wedding rhyme: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Reinecke’s late-Romantic Trio in A major, full of warmth and craftsmanship, represents the “old”; while Colin Riley’s Out of Order, written especially for Metamorphoses, brings the “new” with its vibrant energy and deeply imaginative sound world.

The “borrowed” comes in the form of Rachmaninov’s Adagio, reimagined from his Second Symphony by the late arranger Christian James Elliott, who had a rare gift for translating orchestral colour into intimate chamber textures. Finally, the “blue” appears — quite literally — in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess Suite, a jazz-infused homage that bridges classical refinement and the spirit of the blues.

With special guest Colin Riley, who joins us to introduce his new work, Out of Order.

Program

• Carl Reinecke: Trio in A Major, Op. 264 (1903)
  

I ModeratoII Intermezzo
III Legende
IV Allegro Moderato

• Colin Riley: Out of Order (2024)
  

I. A Song and Dance

II. Like Leaves We Touch

III. As The Flow CriesIV. Ascending and DescendingV. Seven Hours and Fifteen DaysVI. T is for PterodactylWith special guest, composer Colin Riley

Colin Riley ‘doffs his cap to the contemporary classical genre but also manages to stand alone in that genre as a unique indie voice’ (BBC Radio). His music draws on a range of elements including new technologies,
improvisation, song-writing and large-scale classical form. His recent albums include
Shenanigans (NMC)
In Place (Squeaky Kate) and Along The Line (Squeaky Kate). Other works include
Warp and Weft a concerto for 2 cellos (Gabriella Swallow / Guy Johnston),
Rock Paper Scissors (Ensemble Bash)) and
Earth Voices (Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Sweden).
Hearing Places, his large-scale multi-media piece was recently premiered by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to excellent reviews.
‘Witty, inventive music of ear-tickling inventiveness’ (Daily Telegraph).

Colin has just released two albums. His chorale album ‘Along The Line’ is sung by the Pegasus chamber choir and features soloists Gabriella Swallow (cello) and Gloria Rappo (harp). His second album
‘The Year Round’ is a collection of songs, one for each month created for Melanie Pappenheim. He has just competed a new piece for string quartet based on the song of the blackbird and incorporating AI and electronic
manipulation. He is also currently recording an album on chamber music ‘Ones Twos and Threes’ supported by the PRS for Music’s Composers Fund, the Hinrichsen Foundation and the Vaughan Williams Foundation

Colin is Reader in Composition at Brunel University, runs his own label
Squeaky Kate and writes a regular blog about composing called
Riley Notes.

• Sergei Rachmaninov - Adagio, Reimagined from Symphony № 2, Op 27, Mvt III (1907) (Arr. Christian James Elliott (2024)
  

• George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess (1935) Suite, adapted for our trio by Christian James Elliott (2024) from the violin and piano arrangement by Heifetz (1942)
  

I. Summertime - A Woman is a Sometime ThingII My Man’s Gone NowIII It Ain’t Necessarily So
IV Bess, You is My Woman NowV Tempo di Blues

Metamorphoses

Metamorphoses is a clarinet, viola, and piano trio devoted to exploring both classic and contemporary repertoire. Formed by clarinettist Jean Johnson, violist Mikhail Zemtsov, and pianist Ilona Timchenko, the ensemble is celebrated for performances of warmth, clarity, and expressive imagination.

Their debut album, released in 2018, received wide critical acclaim. Gramophone praised them: “the way they let the first movement play out like unwinding clockwork suggests three players on the same wavelength and thoroughly enjoying themselves. These performances are sincere, imaginative and fresh as paint.” Fanfare Magazine added: “I have nothing but admiration to express for these musicians.”

Metamorphoses has performed across Europe and the UK, including broadcasts on NPO Radio 4 from De Doelen, Rotterdam, and the Spiegelzaal at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. Their programmes range from Romantic masterworks to inventive arrangements and contemporary commissions, including works by Theo Loevendie, Colin Riley, and the late Christian James Elliott.

Jean Johnson is a passionate international collaborator in chamber music programs. As such she has played in some of world's finest venues, notably the Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Palais des Beaux-Arts. Ms. Johnson plays throughout the UK and abroad in a duo with pianist Steven Osborne and is a founding member of "Metamorphoses". Notable chamber music festivals include Mostly Mozart Festival Lincoln Center NYC, International Chamber Music Series Southbank Center London, Spannungen in Heimbach, Seattle Chamber Music Society, Peregrinos Festival in Santiago de Compostela, Schwetzingen Germany, Bath Music Festival, Lammermuir Music Festival, Hindsgavl Festival Denmark, Storioni Festival in the Netherlands. Jean has enjoyed being a guest artist with the Utrecht, Heath, T’Ang, and the Edinburgh Quartets as well as the Hebrides Ensemble. As a Guest Principal she appears regularly with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, as well as BBCSSO, RSNO, and many more. Her debut solo recording of Brahms and Rozsa Sonatas with Steven Osborne earned high praise from many worldwide publications including the New York Times. 'British-American clarinetist Jean Johnson is nothing short of phenomenal" -Fanfare Magazine. Her second solo album with pianist Steven Osborne is set to be released in January 2026 on the Linn Label.

Mikhail Zemtsov is an internationally acclaimed and versatile musician. Zemtsov’s solo appearances include performances with the Moscow Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestras of Mexico, Estonia and Lithuania; Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Wiener Volksoper, Hamburger Symphoniker, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, The Hague Philharmonic with the conductors like Neeme Jarvi, Jaap van Zweden, Leif Segerstam, Dmitri Kitajenko. Mikhail is member of the Utrecht String Quartet and the Duo Macondo (with the guitarist Enno Voorhorst). Mikhail also founded an unique ensemble – Zemtsov Viola Quartet – together with his wife Julia, daughter Dana and nephew Daniil, all of them prominent viola players who studied with great viola virtuoso Michael Kugel. Mikhail has participated in numerous International Festivals in Europe, Far East and the Americas. He has recorded numerous CDs for Sony Masterworks, Tower Records, Deutsche Welle, Ottavo, D&G, as well as recordings for TV and radio. His Solo CD “The Last Rose of Summer” has been placed as number 2 among Top 50 of the TROS – Dutch Broadcast/TV Channel and it has got 9 points (excellent) in the main Dutch recording magazine “LUISTER”. His 2016 recording for Chandos label of Rapsody – Concerto by B. Martinu with Maestro Neeme Jarvi and National Symphony Orchestra of Estonia – has been highly acclaimed by international press, including Gramophone magazine. Mikhail is a prize winner of the First International Viola Competition (Vienna,1998) and of the Elisa Meyer String Competition (Hamburg, 1998).

Ilona Timchenko won first prize in the Third Abstract Securities Landor Competition in 2007, fending off strong international competition and winning a contract with Landor Records- her first CD on their label came out in 2009 and was selected for one of the inaugural 'Outstanding' accolades in International Record Review in January. She brought a packed audience at England's Buxton Festival to their feet in July 2008 at her debut recital there and in April 2010 she made her debut at Unione Musicale, one of the most prestigious festivals in Europe. Ilona is the recipient of many prizes and honours, including Enesco Competition in Bucharest, Beethoven Competition in Vienna, the Liszt Competition in Utrecht and the Maria Callas Grand Prix in Athens as well as many others. She has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras such as Saint Petersburg Academic Capella Orchestra, Holland Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, North Holland Orchestra, Royal Flanders Philharmonic, Granada Symphony Orchestra, Royal Galician Philharmonic and Orquesta of the Romanian Radio, RTVE Orquestra, the New Music Chamber Orchestra and more. In addition to her solo activities Timchenko is a keen chamber musician and makes regular appearances at festivals in the Netherlands, Spain, France and Russia alongside artists such as Rivka Golani, Mark Lubotsky, Philippe Graffin, baritone Wolfgang Holzmair and Elias Quartet.