Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson & Kumi Matsuo

This recital journeys through French colour, contemporary energy, and Latin flair — from Widor’s noble lyricism and Debussy’s impressionistic hues to Horovitz’s jazzy wit and Montgomery’s vibrant modern voice. Saint-Saëns brings refined Romantic charm, and D’Rivera ignites the programme with dance-driven virtuosity, showcasing the clarinet’s expressive range in every direction.

The concert will be opened by Tallulah Green, a 17-year-old clarinettist who is giving her debut performance at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, currently studying at the Royal College of Music Junior Department.

Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson

Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson is a British clarinettist acclaimed for his stylistic versatility, charismatic stage presence, and deeply expressive artistry. A committed advocate for widening access to classical music, he frequently champions the work of living composers. He has performed at major venues and festivals including Wigmore Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Verbier Festival, and with Chineke!, the Edinburgh and Adelaide Festivals.

In 2024, he made his U.S. concerto debut with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in David Baker’s Jazz Suite. Highlights of the 2025/26 season include recitals at the University of Birmingham, St George’s Bristol, the Athenaeum, World Heart Beat, Harrogate International Festival, Whittington Music Festival, and Weber’s Concerto No. 2 with St Bart’s Chamber Orchestra. Mebrakh studied at the Royal College of Music and later at The Juilliard School.

Kumi Matsuo

Kumi Matsuo is a versatile solo pianist, chamber musician and accompanist. Winner of the 5th Louisiana International Piano Competition, she has also won Second Prize at the 75th Music Competition of Japan, Third Prize at the 22nd Ferrol International Piano Competition and First Prize at the 6th Isidor Bajic International Piano Competition. After graduating from the Toho Gakuen School of Music, she moved to London for further study at the Royal College of Music where she gained an Artist Diploma and a Master of Music in Performance with Distinction. Her study was generously supported by the Charles Napper Award, the Russell Gander Award and the Rohm Music Foundation.

During her study at RCM, Kumi performed Ravel’s Piano Concerto for Left Hand with RCM Sinfonietta conducted by Peter Stark, Schnittke’s Concerto Grosso No.1 with RCM Chamber Orchestra under Vladimir Jurowski and Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto with RCM Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martin André. She is now on the staff at RCM, working as Duo Coach to the String Faculty, as well as accompanying other instruments.

Tallulah Green

Tallulah is a 17-year-old clarinettist and is giving her debut performance at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens,  currently studying at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. She enjoys playing a wide range of genres, which she is able to explore as a second study jazz saxophonist, with one of our UK jazz stars, Mornington Lockett. She has been part of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, and now performs with the South London Youth Orchestra. In addition to her ensemble playing, she volunteers each week with the younger students at World Heart Beat, and also plays the baritone saxophone in their 51^st State Big Band. Tallulah is looking forward to performing the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto with the Berkeley Ensemble at Sinfonia Smith Square in 2026, and is poised to continue her music studies at university.

Programme:
Poulenc – Sonata Movement 2 and 3
Howells – Sonata Movement 1
V. Monti – ‘Czardas’

Past performances