Since its formation in 1992 this trio of clarinet, cello and piano has become one of the most stable, consolidated and well-known ensembles of this kind in Spain, and a reference in the present day musical scene. "B3 Classic" draws attention to the history of the chamber music repertoire for these three instruments (they undertake valuable and creative investigative work) as well as involving itself in the more contemporary creation. B3 Classic received important success in the International Music Competition 'Pierre Lantier' of Paris where they were awarded a Grand Prix in 1997.

Nice (France) - Recital with the trio “B3 Classic” - Nice International Festival of Classic Music
Paris (France) - Recital with the trio “B3 Classic” - Cité de les Artes
David Johnstone Trio "El Canto de los Graves" - International Music Festival of Santander
2 Recitals with B3 Classic Trio (recorded by RTVE ‘Conciertos de la 2’) Fundación Canal
Logroño (Spain) - Four concerts ("The Change of Century in Chamber Music") with the trio “B3 Classic”, recorded live by Spanish TV Cultural Rioja - Logroño Town Hall
Cheltenham (Great Britain) - Recital with the trio "B3 Classic” - "Cheltenham International Festival"
W A R N E R  - CDs 'Chamber Music Discoveries' and ‘New  Chamber Music Discoveries'
Foundation Non-Profit Music ‘Autumn’ (Brahms and Bruch)
Television ‘Tele Cinco’ - several recordings

WEB of B3 Classic Trio   

At its largest scale, Neofusion is a quintet of accordion (Javier López Jaso) and string quartet, formed to promote the music of Astor Piazzolla and other music with tango influence. Almost the last written work of this great South American master was conceived for this very formation - the 5 Tango Sensations. Johnstone has himself added to the group’s repertoire, as a composer of specific material for these musicians including a major work of over 20’ duration called ‘Sonata de Cámara Mar del Plata’. However, the string quartet musicians alone - that is, playing without the accordion soloist - have also worked independently as a string quartet in other quartet projects (and also even as a string trio!). Furthermore, López Jaso and Johnstone (Accordion - Cello) have also given many concert performances, of which their programmes frequently includes ‘Le Grand Tango’ of Piazzolla and their versions of songs by Carlos Gardel …

Here are some highlights of their concert appearances:
Perugia (Italy) - Recital with the group “Neofusión-Tango” - Vila Solomei International Festival
Manchester / Leeds (Great Britain) - Recitals with “Neofusión-Tango” - Cervantes Institute
Cartagena (Spain) - Neofusión-Quinteto - "Festival Internacional del Mediterráneo
Barañain - Gala Quartet - Integral of the string quartet pieces of David Johnstone in the Auditorium of Barañain, with Belen Otxotorena (see below). The instrumental pieces have been recorded on CD.
Morocco - Recital tour with “Neofusión-Tango” - Cervantes Institute
Television ‘Tele Cinco’ - several recordings in duos and quintets.
Medicus Mundi -  “Con los nueve sentidos” - CD of 3 string trios (members of the Gala Quartet) of Jorge Grundmann for a production (book and audio) of Medicus Mundi.

The three members of this most unusual trio: Bea Monreal, Sergio Eslava and David Johnstone play together, and also in the wider organization of ‘Garaikideak’ (see below). They occasionally use collaborators, such as the saxophonist Manuel Gil.

In their specialized work as a trio performances recently have recently included:
Huarte and Pamplona - Festivales NAK 2015 and 2016
Pamplona - European Music Day 2017 - Gobierno de Navarra
Pamplona - Civivox San Jorge and Condestable, Pamplona, Spain - recitals in trio

Webs of interest (in Spanish only):  

Web of the 'Centro de Música Contemporánea GARAIKIDEAK'            

Web of the Festival de Contemporánea 'NAK'                  

"Noche de Akelarre" Concert-Show about the Witches of Zugarramurdi for Narrator, Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello

Integral of the nationalistic string quartet pieces of David Johnstone, with Belen Otxotorena as presenter and actress in a production ‘Journeys in Europe’. The text and the music make one relive the magical story of the Witches of Zugarramurdi and their tragic end (they were the last witches to be burnt alive in Spain in 1610), in a musical production based around the happenings which took place in the famous caves of the Navarra village of Zugarramurdi, although this is rather more an innovative concert with `narrator soloist` than a historical musical story. Premiered in 2004 in the Auditorium of Barañain, Navarre, Spain, and very valid today!!

 Music: David Johnstone
 Text: Belén Otxotorena
 Duration: about 60 minutes without interval.
 Especially suitable for adults and secondary education.
 Languages available: Spanish and French

"European journeys in Quartet" Concert-Show

The motivation of the writing of these compositions comes from two different lines of thought, both reflected in the title of the general work in its original form (Six Romantic European Pieces for String Quartet), and both of a special importance at the beginnings of the 21st century. In fact the idea has been to unite the old and the new Europe. With two new further pieces, and with the introduction of a miniature Overture (Fanfare for Europe) the programme ‘European Journeys in Quartet’ becomes a finished article.

Duration with Spanish text: 60 – 65 mins./ without the presentation the music lasts c.45 mins. Premiered in 2007 with the GALA String Quartet

 Music: David Johnstone
 Text: Belén Otxotorena
 Duration: about 60 minutes without interval. Without presentation of texts about 45 mins.
 Especially suitable for adults and secondary education.
 Languages available: Spanish and French

Both main projects have received many performances in North Spain.

WEB of Belén Otxotorena 

With the pianist/keyboards player Alberto Navascués.

David Johnstone y Alberto Navascues perform a selection of pop, jazz and other styles of light-jazz-pop music from the whole of the 20th century, and to the current day. A drummer could be added.

Video: Respirar - Bebe - version Cello and Piano by Johnstone

Cello Activities and Ensembles of all sizes!

The concert repertoire is based, above all, on the `popular classics` and of lighter music of the twentieth century. In the modern popular styles the group has pieces from ragtime style, blues, film music and musicals, to jazz and pop songs, and many present day themes. The group is based in Navarre, Spain. They have given performances above all of 3 and 4 cello music, and from the Baroque era onwards to the present day pop scene, but this can be increased to 6, 8 or 12 cellos or even more … if the individual diaries of the musicians allows! They also develop activities with young cellists of the entire region; they are famed for the grand HelloCello! Cello Orchestra Christmas concerts in which dozens of cellists join up - the record is 93! - and also are keen participants in the International Bach celebrations each March in the ‘Bach in the Subways’ movement.

There are many audios-videos in YouTube - here are just a few examples:
J.S. Bach - Sarabande, for 3 Cellos
Gorka Pastor - Renconciliation, for 6 Cellos and Piano    
Holst - Mars, from 'The Planets', for 6 Cellos    
Dire Straits - Going Home, for 6 Cellos  
Jorge Sánchez and HelloCello! promotional clip

** Romantic cello music above all, and salon pieces from the 19th century. Also Basque-Navarre music, and a selection of Baroque, Classical and early romantic cello sonatas

Here is mention of a couple of recent performances:
Series of Concerts “Martes Musicales de la Obra Social de Caja Vital”, Vitoria, Basque Country
Series of Concerts Kutxa Andía “Salón de Actos Kutxa Andía”, San Sebastian, Basque Country

Live Recordings:
Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen (Aires Bohemios) 
Rachmaninov - Vocalise
Faure - Sicilienne

David Johnstone has made numerous recordings for Mikel for his film work, music for documentaries, and for pop songs

Titles include the short films Bienvenido a Farewell-Gutmann, El Albúm Blanco, Lorca, and the full-length film The Second Name

** Work together has included important sonatas of Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Grieg and Cassadò

Important recitals have included:
Santander (Spain) - Recitals with the pianist Jesús Amigo - Marcelino Botín Foundation
Madrid (Spain) - Recital with the pianist Jesús Amigo - Juan March Foundation

Web link for Jesús Amigo
 

** Work together has included the complete music of Beethoven, French romantic music (Franck, Saint-Saens, Faure etc.) and some specific important works from the 20th century such as the ‘Suite Italienne’ of Stravinsky.

Here are some highlights:
Oxford (Great Britain) - Complete works of Beethoven with the pianist Paul Turner - Holywell Room
London (Great Britain) - Recital with the pianist Paul Turner; St. John’s Smith Square
London (Great Britain) - Recital with the pianist Paul Turner; Purcell Room, London South Bank

“Extremely sure and with a lightness of touch and a facilitywhich were stimulating, and of an extraordainary elegance.”   (integral of works by Beethoven)   Oxford Mail

“A brilliant cellist… an extraordainary force… displays his musicality and technical mastery”  (Stravinsky – Suite Italienne and Sarasate – Zigeunerweisen)   Maidenhead Advertiser

 Web of Paul Turner 

David Johnstone has participated in the following films/documentaries as described below each entry:  

2012 - Chinese Burns. Full length film, Produced by Hill Roberts Films, directed by Alan Ronald (composer only)
TRAILER  

2012 - Enterrados hasta las rodillas. Short Film (9') directed by Alex Ortega. (Composer, musical director, and as cellist)
VIDEO
MUSICAL EXTRACT A - Nafarroeste (Jota)
MUSICAL EXTRACT B - Tema de Carrera (Race theme)

BIENVENIDO A FAREWELL-GUTMANN (WELCOME TO FAREWELL-GUTMANN). Short Film directed by Xavi Puebla and produced by Quimelca PC, with Film music componed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

El Album Blanco (The White Album). Short film (12’) directed and produced by Felix Viscarret, with film music composed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

The Second Name. Film (90’) produced by Castelao Productions, directed by Paco Plaza, with film music composed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

Lorca. Film (25’) of Iñaki Elizalde with film music composed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

Dr. Vesalius. Animation (6’) Julian Roberts Productions with the London Film Institute. (Composer/cellist)

Agurra. Short Film (3’) of Iñaki Elizalde and Patxi Laborda with film music by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

The Plague. Animation (5’) Julian Roberts Productions for television Channel 4 , Great Britain . Special invitation in the film festivals of Ankara (Turkey), London, Edinburgh, and Krok (Ucraine). (Composer/cellist)

Dr. Morse. Drama Series for British television. Performer (various programmes)

Loss Adjuster. Short Film (10’) Julian Roberts Productions. Award Winner in the Chicago Film Festival. Arranger – Performer

Over Here, Over There. Documentary Series for B.B.C. 1 Television. Performer (in every programme)

Cross-Bones. Series of 6 Short Animation Films (total 35’). Julian Roberts Productions for television Channel 4, Great Britain. Composer/cellist

The Golem. Animation Film (5’) Julian Roberts Productions for television Channel 4, Great Britain.  Award Winner in the Cracow Film Festival. Composer/cellist

Criminal Justice. Animation Film (5’). Julian Roberts Productions. Improviser – Performer/improviser

Johnstone has participated from time to time in other recordings for television and radio in the music of other composers. In this section one might note the many recordings made as a young professional cellist for the B.B.C. Schools Educational Programmes produced by Douglas Coombes.

No mention here is made of the countless recordings that Johnstone has participated in as an orchestral player …

The following ORIGINAL WORKS of David Johnstone have been recorded for television in the form of a live televised concert:

 Fantasy-Sonatina, for Flute and Piano. Tele 5, Madrid

 Zapateado of San Fermin, for Flute and Piano. Tele 5, Madrid

 Danzas Virtuosas for Solo Violoncello. Introduction (Sarabande) and Gigue / The Prisioner (Danza Virtuosa No.2) / Danzas de Galicia (Galician Dances). Tele 5, Madrid

 Suite “The Witches of Zugarramurdi”, for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Violoncello. Tele 5, Madrid 

 Sonata de Cámara “Mar del Plata”, for Accordion and string quartet. Tele 5, Madrid 

 Petite Suite Historique, for Viola and Violoncello. Tele 5, Madrid

 Piezas Románticas, for Piano solo. Tele 5, Madrid

 Trío Sinfónico, for Clarinet, Cello and Piano. Televisión Española (TVE), La Rioja, España 

 Tango Concierto, for Cello and Accordion. Tele 5, Madrid.