The clarinet concerto was written by Emma Johnson MBE during lockdown, inspired by a need to express something in music about the climate crisis.

Its first performance with a handpicked team of like-minded musicians, the Orchestra for the Environment, was a triumph and has led to many more performances throughout the UK.

The concert will see the orchestra play a variety of pieces, including compositions by Gustav Holst; Giacomo Puccini; Vaughan Williams; Paul Reade; and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, alongside Emma Johnson’s Tree of Life for Clarinet, Harp, Percussion and strings.

Evoking birdsong and the natural world, the music is accompanied by striking images by Edward Hutchison. It ends on an optimistic note that by working together we can effect change.

Emma Johnson MBE is a clarinettist who has made a name as a best-selling soloist and recording artist. She won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition when she was 17 and has since recorded over 30 albums and given concerts all over the world.

Emma Johnson MBE says:
“I am delighted to be bringing Tree of Life to Bradford Cathedral this Summer. Just as at the Cathedral, issues around caring for the environment are close to my heart and I hope those who come to this concert will enjoy both the music that is played and the incredible visuals, as well as thinking about what could be done to help protect the environment.”

The Revd Canon Ned Lunn says:
“We are looking forward to welcoming Emma Johnson and The Orchestra For The Environment to Bradford Cathedral. As well as being an incredible cultural showcase of beautiful music, the concert also marks the pinnacle of our season of work exploring environmental issues.

“We are proud of our heritage rooted in the Anglo-Saxon church which, like us, faced many challenges and changes, much conflict and suffering, but repeatedly found the courage to find new ways forward. We value our innovativeness recognising that, with God, abundance is present even in scarcity and can be discovered through creative imagination and hard work. This concert will awake your imagination to dream of a brighter, more sustainable future for us all.”

‘Tree of Life’ by Emma Johnson and The Orchestra For The Environment takes place on Friday 7th June 2024, at 7:30pm, at Bradford Cathedral. Tickets can be booked now at tree-of-life-bradford.eventbrite.co.uk or by calling the Cathedral office on 01274 77 77 20 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 3pm).