Collaborations: Productions and Programs

In spring and summer 2010 Craig is appearing with Finnish baritone Esa Ruuttunen, in concerts in Finland and in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.

"Rhapsody in Blue, Black & White!", presented by the Marquette Symphony
Craig Randal Johnson/ Piano Soloist playing Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'

Potpourri of early Jazz and Silent Film, including 'La Revue de Cuisine' by Martinu
February 28, 2010
Besse Center at Bay College
Escanaba, Michigan

Strings on the Bay/ Featuring the Piano Trio 'Kolme'
Paul Lundin, violin/ Katri Ervamaa, cello/ Craig Randal Johnson, piano

August 16, 2009, at Church of the Redeemer Presbyterian/ Manistique, MI
August 17, 2009, Besse Center at Bay College/ Escanaba, MI

   Program:
Beethoven:      Trio in E-flat, Opus 1, Nr. 1
de Boisdeffre:    By the Brook
Traditional:    Londonderry Air
Madetoja: Trio, Opus 1

Accompanist: International Society of Bassist Convention Competitions
June 2009.
Penn State University/ State College PA

Professor Gary Reeves French Horn Recital
Gary Reeves, French Horn/ Craig Randal Johnson, pianist
Colton Recital Hall, University of South Dakota/ Vermillion, SD
January 24, 2008

Burning and Never Going Cold: The Music of Hanns Eisler
David Jordan Harris, baritone/ Craig Randal Johnson, pianist
Gallery 205, Landmark Center/ St. Paul, MN
November 16, 2006
Presented by the Schubert Club and Traces Center for History and Culture

Burning and Never Going Cold: The Music of Hanns Eisler
David Jordan Harris, baritone; Craig Randal Johnson, pianist
January 10, 2006.   Bjorling Recital Hall at Gustavus Adolphus College
           St. Peter MN


Finn Grand Fest 2005: Music by Bernhard Henrik Crusell
Pianist
August 12, 2005
Reynolds Auditorium   Marquette MI
            Aria, from Ganges’ Beauteous Strands
            Don Grant, Clarinet; Eeva Savolainen, Soprano; Craig Johnson, Pianist

Accompanist: International Society of Bassist Convention CompetitionsJune 2005.      Western Michigan University/ Kalamazoo MI

Accompanist: International Society of Bassist Convention Competitions
June 2003.       University of Richmond/ Richmond VA

Pianist with the Superior Chamber Players: Trout Quintet, Proto Carmen Fantasy for Double        Bass (Premo bassist), other works.
December 28, 2001.   Peter White Library/ Marquette MI

Chapel of the Incarnation at Luther Seminary/ Reformation Festival 2000
Sauli Tiilikainen, tenor (Finland)/ Craig Johnson, accompanist
   ‘Bible Songs’ by Kari Tikka.
October 27, 2000.   Luther Seminary/ St. Paul MN

Ensemble Warhol ‘Crazy Rabbit Songs’ and other works.   Craig Johnson, Pianist
   March 23, 2000. Landmark Center in St. Paul MN
   March 26, 2000. Loring Playhouse in Minneapolis MN

   Warhol: ‘Crazy Rabbit Songs’/ semi-staged performace (1998)
       Krywosz: stage director; Jean Humke, artist; Issalys, flute; Mornard, soprano.
   Carpenter, Keith: Big Bills, An American Mosaic (1999)
       Rebecca Kite, marimba; Jean Mornard, soprano.
   Ives, Charles: Songs of sentimentality and Nostaligia
       Jake Endres, Baritone

Nautilus Theater. ‘Acts of Mercy’, by Leslie Ball and Becky Dale, and other works.
December 13 and 14, 1999. St. Paul and Minneapolis.    Pianist for the Show.

Nautilus Theater.   Pianist for ‘Crazy Rabbit Songs’, by Mark Warhol.
March 8 and 9, 1999. St. Paul and Minneapolis

Hanns Eisler Centennial Celebration. West-Park Presbyterian Church
   Eisler: Sonata for Violin and Piano (“Reise Sonate”); Sonate No. 1 (1923)
   Ashley Horne, Violin/ Craig Johnson, Piano
September 26, 1998.   New York NY

To Those Who Come After: The Voice of Bertolt Brecht. Southern Theater
   David Harris, baritone; Manon Gimlett, soprano; Craig Johnson, pianist/MD
   English tex and lyrics by Eric Bentley; Music by Eisler, Weill, Milhaud and Wolpe
September 17 - 20, 1998. Minneapolis MN

Bertolt Brecht - The Caucasian Chalk Circle Fiftieth Anniversary
   - Craig Johnson accompanied the original ‘Azdak’, Alvis L. Tinnin.
   - Excerpts from the show ‘To Those Who Come After’: Harris, Gimlett, Johnson
May 8, 1998.    The Grand Theater at Carleton College/ Northfield MN

To Those Who Come After: The Voice of Bertolt Brecht. Illusion Theater
   David Harris, baritone; Manon Gimlett, soprano; Craig Johnson, pianist/MD
   English tex and lyrics by Eric Bentley; Music by Eisler, Weill, Milhaud and Wolpe
July 17 - 20, 1997.    Minneapolis MN

Burning and Never Going Cold: The Music of Hanns Eisler
David Harris, baritone/ Craig Johnson, pianist/ Joachim Lucchesi, commentator
November 21, 1996.   Lowell Hall/University of Wisconsin      Madison WI

Recital: Esa Ruuttunen, bass-baritone (Finland)/ Craig Johnson, accompanist
Chapel of the Incarnation at Luther Seminary/ Reformation Festival 1996
October 25, 1996.     St. Paul MN

WNYC RADIO: David Garland’s ‘Spinning on Air” : Music of Hanns Eisler
David Harris, baritone; Craig Johnson, pianist; Eric Bentley, commentator.
September 19 and 26, 1995.     New York NY

Hanns Eisler.   Music and Commentary.    Wintersalon in Hannover
Hilkea Kuck, sängerin; Craig Johnson, pianist.
26. November 1993.   Hannover, Germany

Jochen Seidel Exhibition Opening Program/ Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen
Lynne Denig, violin; Craig Johnson, pianist
9. February 1993.    Magdeburg, Germany

‘A Talent to Amuse’/ Gary Briggle as Sir Noël Coward.
Gary Briggle, baritone-actor; Craig Johnson, pianist
February 18, 1990.   First Presbyterian Church/ Fargo ND
   - this show was also presented in Minneapolis.

Elisabeth Wärnfeldt, soprano (Sweden); Craig Johnson, pianist
World Premiere: ‘A New age Gospel’ by Torbjörn Lundquist/ text by dag Hammarskjöld
June 15, 1988.   Saint Peter’s Church in New York NY

Recital: Elisabeth Wärnfeldt, soprano (Sweden); Craig Johnson, pianist
University Baptist Church
June 9, 1988.    Minneapolis MN

Hreinn Lindal, tenor (Iceland); Craig Johnson, pianist
Voice Recitals across eight Midwestern states, featuring several dozen appearances.
Sponsored by Allied Concert Services.   Wide ranging repertoire in six languages.
1985 - 1988.