Johannes distinguishes himself through his artistic engagement that goes beyond cellistic virtuosity, offering a presence on stage that is open, where musical exchange and genuine connections with his audience are at the heart of his performance.
Following his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14, Johannes is a multiple prizewinner of the International JS Bach Competition in Leipzig, won the International Pablo Casals Award, was a Gold Medalist of the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, received the Verbier Festival’s Prix de l’APCAV award, and was awarded the prestigious “Talent Adami Classique”.
Solo engagements have taken him across four continents – including performances at the Berlin Philharmonie, the festivals of Ravinia and Verbier, Lincoln Center, SuperCello (Beijing), and the Cello Biënnale Amsterdam. Recent highlights include his concerto debut in New York at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall and performing with the Armenian State Orchestra, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and the Metamorphosen Berlin Chamber Orchestra, and at the Berlin Philharmonie, Dubai’s Theatre of Digital Arts, the State Opera Theatre of Tajikistan and the Casals Forum Kronberg.
Johannes enjoys a long-term musical relationship with pianist Anastasiya Magamedova. As a duo, they are 3rd prize winners of the 2025 European Chamber Music Competition and have performed across Europe, America and the Middle East. They are recording their first album Once upon a time… together with the franco-swiss label Aparté (Little Tribeca). Together, they are supported by the Fondation Banque Populaire. “Where Music Grows”, a feature length documentary about Scandinavian Cello School directed by international award winning Katrine Philp (Good Company Pictures) features the Duo. It was shot over five years, and will premiere at the CPH:DOX film festival in 2026.
Since 2020 he is supported by the Scandinavian Cello School (SCS) in Denmark and has been showcased as an SCS young artist on numerous occasions – including an interview in the New York Times, featured on CNN, and performing at the Musikverein during the 100th Ball of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 2024, Johannes has been assistant professor at the SCS.
Johannes has resided in Paris since 2015.
The breath of music itself comes alive in Johannes Gray’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso, matching the intensity of his tear-inducing phrasing while effortlessly handling the virtuosity of the piece’s second half.
Poetry and fury coexist within him, and his technique allows for the expression of every nuance.
Johannes Gray’s cello bathes Schubert’s Trio opus 100 in expertly tormented accents.
Debut with the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester in 2026 (Rautavaara’s Concerto No. 2)
Sortie du premier album Once upon a time… (label Aparté)
Premiere of the documentary Where Music Grows at CPH:DOX in 2026
I discovered very young the joy that music can bring to people. As a performer the most important thing to me is that there’s a connection between the audience, the music and me. I’m happiest with my performances when the audience has been genuinely affected by the music and when I can share my passion for cello playing.
