Johan de Meij: The Symphonies

Featuring

Harlan D. Parker
Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble
Peabody Children's Chorus
Johan de Meij

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Compositional Technique

De Meij's Second Symphony, 'The Big Apple', includes a non-musical intermezzo called 'Times Square Cadenza', which is a compilation of city sounds he personally recorded.

Composition History

Johan de Meij's First Symphony, 'The Lord of the Rings', is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy and was composed between March 1984 and December 1987.

Critical Reception

Johan de Meij's First Symphony, 'The Lord of the Rings', won first prize in the Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in Chicago in 1989 and an award from the Dutch Composers Fund in 1990.

Performer Biography

The Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble, directed by Harlan D. Parker, is considered 'one of the finest ensembles of its kind in the nation' and has given over forty world premières.

Composition History

Johan de Meij's Second Symphony, 'The Big Apple', was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C. and composed between October 1991 and September 1993.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Johan de Meij aims to evoke images in his work but mostly finds inspiration in abstractions, always seeking new musical paths.

Composer Biography

Johan de Meij, born in 1953, is the composer of the three symphonies featured on this album: 'The Lord of the Rings', 'The Big Apple', and 'Planet Earth'.