“…These performances are sincere, imaginative
and fresh as paint…”
Gramophone (UK)

Metamorphoses

Jean Johnson, clarinet

Mikhail Zemtsov, viola

Ilona Timchenko, piano

Although the foundation for this trio is undoubtedly Mozart’s Kegelstatt Trio, the trio’s members are also strong advocates of contemporary music. Metamorphoses was formed in 2016 and released their first CD in 2018, receiving international critical acclaim.

The individual members of the group have performed as chamber musicians worldwide: Jean Johnson is a member of the Scottish ensemble Daniel’s Beard in Glasgow and performs in a duo with her husband, pianist Steven Osborne.

She has performed at venues including the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Carnegie Hall, Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Esplanade in Singapore, the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York City, “Spannungen” in Heimbach (Germany), the Bath Music Festival, Hindsgavl Festival in Denmark, Schwetzingen (Germany), Prussia Cove, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, St. Magnus Festival, and the Sound Festival.

Mikhail Zemtsov, who is also a conductor, has participated in numerous international festivals in Europe, the Far East, and North and South America, as a chamber music partner of Bella Davidovitch, Boris Berezovsky, Dmitri Sitkovetski, Sarah Chang, Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, Misha Maisky, and the Leipzig, Jerusalem, and Borodin string quartets. He has made numerous recordings for Sony Masterworks, Tower Records, Deutsche Welle, Ottavo, D&G, as well as recordings for TV and radio. Mikhail is a prizewinner of the First International Viola Competition (Vienna, 1998) and the Elisa Meyer String Competition (Hamburg, 1998). He is the artistic director of the Zemtsov Masterfest in Hoeven, Netherlands

Ilona Timchenko won first prize in the Third Abstract Securities Landor Competition in 2007 and more than 20 prizes in international competitions, including 7 first prizes. She won second prize at the Liszt Competition. She has given recitals at Wigmore Hall, Philips Hall in the Netherlands, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, and the Monumental Theater in Madrid. Ilona is the artistic director of the Peregrinos Musica Festival in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

News
  • Metamorphoses 5 years!
    07-05-2021

    Metamorphoses 5 years!
    This month we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Metamorphoses. They have toured in Netherlands, UK and Spain and hopefully they can continue with their concerts this summer – after more than a year silence. Many concerts are plannend in UK, Netherlands and they start this summer in Spain. They are also very much looking forward to go to Russia for some concerts coming season.
    Last season should have seen the world première of Theo Loevendie’s piece METAMORF, which was specially written for them, but this has been moved forward to the 2021/22 season.
    Here’s a video to celebrate their 5th anniversary:

  • Metamorphoses UK tour February 2020
    12-02-2020

    Today Metamorphoses start their UK tour in Ilkley. Pianist Ilona Timchenko is at home with a new baby on the way. We are grateful that Elena Fischer-Dieskau could take over from Ilona.
    UK Tour dates are:
    12-2-2020 Ilkley
    13-2-2020 Morpeth
    14-2-2020 Matlock
    16-2-2020 Spalding
    17-2-2020 Bury St Edmonds
    19-2-2020 Preston

  • 5 star review Metamorphoses new CD
    20-11-2018

    “…Metamorphoses flaunts a technique and unquestionable expressiveness. Bravo!…”

    5 star review in Melomano Magazine November 2018.

  • Metamorphoses review Australia: Stunningly performed!
    05-09-2018

    “…Mozart’s ‘Kegelstatt Trio’ needs no introduction. He was a particular lover of the clarinet, and produced some of the finest works in the repertoire.

    Read more …

  • Metamorphoses Rave review Fanfare (USA)

    “…I have nothing but admiration to express for the playing of these three musicians. British-American clarinettist Jean Johnson is nothing short of phenomenal. 

    Read more …

  • Review Metamorphoses CD BBC
    04-09-2018

    BBC Radio3 reviewed Metamorphoses’ debut CD in BBC Record Review: “…Metamophoses are fantastic, incredibly clever, tight and very polished. Beautiful frasings…”.

    BBC Record Review, BBC 3, Saturday 7 April 2018

  • Metamorphoses first CD
    20-03-2018

    The first CD of Metamorphoses is released! The CD contains Fairy Tales by Schumann, Trio by Leo Smit, Kegelstatt Trio by Mozart and Jean Francaix’s trio.

VIDEOS
Live Concert Excerpts
metamorphose

“…I have nothing but admiration to express for the playing of these three musicians. British-American clarinettist Jean Johnson is nothing short of phenomenal.” Fanfare Magazine, USA

“…This is a stand-out performance. I would not hesitate to recommend this ensemble and this disc to anyone. It is highly enjoyable and stunningly performed. Music is in fine hands for the future with young artists of this calibre…” Daily Classical Music, Australia.

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