What is Johan de Meij best known for composing?
Johan de Meij is best known for Symphony No. 1 for wind ensemble, nicknamed The Lord of the Rings symphony. It was first performed in 1988 and won the Sudler Composition Award in 1989.
Questions about Johan de Meij
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where did Johan de Meij study music?
De Meij received his musical training at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where he studied trombone and conducting.
Which orchestras have recorded Johan de Meij's Lord of the Rings symphony?
Recordings of the symphony have been made by the London Symphony Orchestra, the North Netherlands Orchestra, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Wind Orchestra.
What publishing company did Johan de Meij found and when?
De Meij founded Amstel Music in 1989 and serves as its CEO. The company publishes his compositions and manages their distribution to ensembles worldwide.
What conducting roles does Johan de Meij currently hold?
He is principal guest conductor of the New York Wind Symphony and the Kyushu Wind Orchestra in Fukuoka, Japan. He also serves as a regular guest conductor of the Simón Bolívar Youth Wind Orchestra in Caracas, Venezuela.
How many symphonies has Johan de Meij composed?
De Meij has composed five numbered symphonies. They range from Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings" (1984-1988) through Symphony No. 5 "Return to Middle Earth" (2019).