Short bio Johan de Meij
Birthday:
1953
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Modern
Full biography Johan de Meij
Johan de Meij is a renowned composer hailing from the Netherlands who is widely acclaimed for his innovative musical compositions. Born in Voorburg, the Netherlands, on November 23, 1953, de Meij showed an aptitude for music at an early age. He began his career as a trombone player in the Royal Military Band of the Dutch Army, where he performed for more than a decade. In parallel, he pursued his studies in composition and conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague.
De Meij first gained international acclaim with his five-movement composition, “Symphony No. 1: The Lord of the Rings,” which is based on the epic fantasy novel of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien. The symphony was commissioned by a number of Dutch concert bands and premiered in Brussels, Belgium, in 1988. The composition is widely regarded as a groundbreaking work in the world of concert band music, which had previously been a niche genre. With “The Lord of the Rings,” de Meij demonstrated how concert band music could be elevated to the level of serious orchestral compositions.
Since the success of his first symphony, de Meij has continued to push boundaries with his music. He has composed numerous works for concert band, symphony orchestra, and chamber ensembles. Some of his most notable works include “Symphony No. 2: The Big Apple,” “Casanova,” and “Extreme Beethoven.”
In addition to his work as a composer, de Meij is a highly sought-after conductor. He has led performances all over the world, including in the United States, Japan, Spain, and the Netherlands. He has also served as a guest conductor of various professional orchestras and ensembles.
Overall, Johan de Meij is a visionary composer whose contributions to the world of music have been widely recognized and celebrated. His innovative style and boundary-pushing compositions have inspired countless musicians around the world.
Compositions featuring Johan de Meij
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Symphony No. 3 "Planet Earth" | 47:32 min | Orchestral | 2006 |
| 2 | Symphony No. 2 ("The Big Apple"), a New York symphony | 35:11 min | Symphony | 1991 |
| 3 | Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings" | 23:38 min | Symphony | 1989 |
| 4 | African Harmony, version for band ("Songs from Mama Africa") | 12:44 min | Band Music | - |
| 5 | African Harmony, version for chorus & band ("Songs from Mama Africa") | 12:57 min | Choral | - |
| 6 | Aquarium Op 5 | 9:10 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 7 | At Kitty O'Shea's, suite for band | 17:01 min | Band Music | - |
| 8 | Extreme Make-over, for brass band | 16:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 9 | James Bond Medley | 7:10 min | - | |
| 10 | La Quintessenza | 12:37 min | Band Music | - |
| 11 | Loch Ness-A Scottish Fantasy | 12:18 min | - | |
| 12 | T-Bone Concerto | 25:56 min | Concerto | - |
Albums featuring Johan de Meij
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Johan de Meij / John Barnes Chance / James Barnes (5) — Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble, Akira Takeda, Norichika Iimori – Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble Vol. 25: Symphony No.1 "The Lord Of The Rings" / Symphony No.2 / Symphony No.2, Op. | 2023 | Brain Music |
| 2 |  |
Johan de Meij, Grimethorpe Colliery Band – The Brass Band Music Of Johan de Meij(CD, Album) | 2023 | World Of Sound Recordings |
| 3 |  |
Johan de Meij - St. Michael Thorn Wind Orchestra, Claudia Couwenbergh, Brabant Choir, Ivan Meylemans – Symphony No. 5: Return To Middle Earth | 2019 | Amstel Classics |
| 4 |  |
Johan de Meij, The Luxembourg Military Band, Johan de Meij – Fellini(CD, ) | 2016 | Amstel Music |
| 5 |  |
Johan de Meij, Philharmonic Winds Osakan, Joseph Alessi – Symphony No.1 "The Lord Of The Rings" (Osakan Live Collection Vol.17)(CD, Album) | 2015 | Green Music (7) |
| 6 |  |
Downtown Divertimento (Live Recordings)(CD, ) | 2015 | Amstel Classics |
| 7 |  |
Johan de Meij, Kinki University Band – The 53rd Regular Concert - Extreme Make-over "Metamorphoses On A Theme By Tchaikovsky"(2×CD, Album) | 2014 | Wako Records |
| 8 |  |
Johan de Meij - Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Kazumasa Watanabe (2) – The Lord Of The Rings(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2014 | Denon |
| 9 |  |
Brooklyn Wind Symphony, Jeff W. Ball, Johan de Meij, Elizabeth Peterson (5), Brian Worsdale, SFC Jason D. Ham, Jonathan Lombardo, Timothy Smith (8), Jeffrey Dee (2) – The 67th Annual Midwest Clinic(CD, ) | 2014 | Mark Records |
| 10 |  |
Johan de Meij - Symphonic Wind Orchestra St. Michael Of Thorn, Henrie Adams, David Childs, Brabant Choir – Cosmic Wings: UFO Concerto For Euphonium & Wind Orchestra / Symphony No. 3 Planet Earth(CD, , DVD, ) | 2014 | World Wind Music |
| 11 |  |
Johan de Meij, Philips Wind Orchestra – Symphony No. 4 (Sinfonie Der Lieder = Symphony Of Songs) | 2014 | Amstel Classics |
| 12 |  |
Johan de Meij - The Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Harlan D. Parker – The Symphonies(2×CD, Compilation) | 2013 | Naxos |
| 13 |  |
Johan de Meij, Banda De Lalin, Bram Sniekers, David Childs – Extreme Beethoven(CD, ) | 2013 | Amstel Classics |
| 14 |  |
Johan de Meij & Siena Wind Orchestra – The Lord Of The Rings(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2013 | Avex-classics |
| 15 |  |
Johan de Meij — The Royal Symphonic Band Of The Belgian Guides, Norbert Nozy – Symphony No. 1: The Lord Of The Rings, (World Premiere 1988) - 25 Years Anniversary Edition(CD, Album, Special Edition) | 2013 | Amstel Classics |
| 16 |  |
Johan de Meij, Banda Sinfonica Del Conservatorio Superior de Musica Del Principado de Asturias – Cloud Factory(CD, Album) | 2011 | Amstel Classics |
| 17 |  |
Johan de Meij / James Barnes (5), Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band – The Lord Of The Rings / Third Symphony(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2010 | Fontec |
| 18 |  |
The Puccini Legacy (Wind Orchestra Transcriptions By Johan de Meij)(CD, ) | 2010 | Amstel Classics |
| 19 |  |
Johan de Meij, Orquestra de Vents Filharmonia, José R. Pascual-Vilaplana – Dutch Masters(CD, ) | 2008 | Amstel Classics |
| 20 |  |
Johan de Meij, Orquestra de Vents Filharmonia, José R. Pascual-Vilaplana – Canticles(CD, ) | 2008 | Amstel Classics |
| 21 |  |
Johan de Meij, Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band – Planet Earth(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo) | 2007 | Cryston |
| 22 |  |
Johan de Meij, La Artistica Buñol, Henrie Adams – Symphony No. 3 Planet Earth(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2007 | World Wind Music |
| 23 |  |
Freiburg Wind Orchestra, Johan de Meij – Klezmer Classics(CD, ) | 2006 | Amstel Classics |
| 24 |  |
The North Netherlands Orchestra, The North Netherlands Concert Choir, Otto Tausk, Johan de Meij – Symphony No.3 "Planet Earth" | 2006 | Amstel Classics |
| 25 |  |
Johan de Meij | Noord Nederlands Orkest O.L.V. Jurjen Hempel – Symfonie Nr. 1: Lord Of The Rings | 2005 | Not On Label (NNO Self-released) |
| 26 |  |
Johan de Meij - Lieutenant Colonel Akira Takeda, Major Toru Shiga, Japan Ground Self Defense Force Central Band – The Lord Of The Rings(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2004 | Universal |
| 27 |  |
Johan de Meij - Henk de Vlieger, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Shuya Okatsu – Symphony No.1 "The Lord Of The Rings"(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2004 | Band Power |
| 28 |  |
Best Of Johan de Meij(3×CD, ) | 2004 | Molenaar Edition |
| 29 |  |
Freiburger Blasorchester, Johan de Meij – Der Herr Der Ringe(2×CDr, ) | 2004 | Not On Label (Freiburger Blasorchester Self-released) |
| 30 |  |
Johan de Meij / John Adams - North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, Jurjen Hempel – Symphony No. 2 The Big Apple (A New York Symphony) / Slonimsky's Earbox(CD, Album) | 2003 | Q Disc |
| 31 |  |
The Wind In The Willows (For Wind Orchestra)(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2002 | Amstel Classics |
| 32 |  |
Johan de Meij / The Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Bläserphilharmonie Südwest – The Venetian Collection(CD, Album) | 2002 | |
| 33 |  |
De Meij / Doss - Orchestre D'Harmonie De La Police Nationale, Benoît Girault – Le Seigneur Des Anneaux / Atlantis(CD, Album) | 2001 | Corelia |
| 34 |  |
Johan de Meij, Koncert Fúvószenekar Kiskunfélegyháza, Vándorfi László – A Gyűrűk Ura = The Lord Of The Rings(CD, Album) | 2001 | Not On Label (Kiskunfélegyházi Koncert Fúvószenekar Self-released) |
| 35 |  |
Johan de Meij / Igor Stravinsky — The United States Marine Band, Colonel John R. Bourgeois – Lord Of The Rings / Firebird Suite (Live In Concert Series, Volume One) | 2001 | Mark Masters |
| 36 |  |
London Symphony Orchestra Conducted By David Warble / Johan De Meij – Symphony No. 1: Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings | 2001 | Madacy |
| 37 |  |
Johan de Meij, Johan Willem Friso Military Band, Alex Schillings, Johan van Iersel – Casanova(CD, Album) | 2000 | Amstel Classics |
| 38 |  |
Johan de Meij - Alfred Reed - Florian Bramböck - Julius Fučík, Österreichische Bläserphilharmonie Innsbruck, Hansjörg Angerer – Symphonic Wind Orchestra(CD, ) | 1998 | Koch Schwann |
| 39 |  |
Symphonic Wind Orchestra St. Michaël Of Thorn Conductor Heinz Friesen, Johan de Meij, Christian Lindberg – T-bone Concerto / Symphony Nr. 1 'The Lord Of The Rings'(CD, ) | 1997 | KRO |
| 40 |  |
Johan de Meij, Van der Roost, Jutras, Ensemble Vents Et Percussion De Québec, René Joly (3) – The Lord Of The Rings | 1997 | Atma Classique |
| 41 |  |
Johan de Meij, Søren Hyldgaard, The Danish Concert Band Conductor Jørgen Misser Jensen, Harmonie St. Michaël Thorn Conductor Heinz Friesen, Christian Lindberg – The Scandinavian Connection | 1997 | Amstel Classics |
| 42 |  |
Famous Arrangements By Johan de Meij | 1996 | World Wind Music |
| 43 |  |
Dutch National Youth Fanfare Orchestra, Danny Oosterman, Johan de Meij, Jan Van Der Roost, Philip Sparke, Rob Goorhuis, Henk Van Lijnschooten – On Tour(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1995 | World Wind Music |
| 44 |  |
The Music Of Johan de Meij (exerpts From The 1996 Catalogue)(CD, ) | 1995 | Amstel Music |
| 45 |  |
The Arnhem Symphonic Winds, Johan de Meij – Ratatouille(CD, ) | 1995 | Amstel Classics |
| 46 |  |
Symphonies 1& 2(2×CD, ) | 1995 | World Wind Music |
| 47 |  |
Johan de Meij / Leonard Bernstein - Danish Concert Band, Jørgen Misser Jensen – Symphony No.1 - The Lord Of The Rings / Divertimento | 1995 | Rondo Grammofon |
| 48 |  |
Johan de Meij / Johann Sebastian Bach / Satoshi Sakamoto - Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band, Yoshihiro Kimura – At The Symphony Hall: The Lord Of The Rings / Fantasie Und Fuge BWV .542 / Goodtime Friends(CD, Album) | 1994 | Musik Hafen |
| 49 |  |
Johan de Meij / The Amsterdam Wind Orchestra, Heinz Friesen – The Big Apple(CD, Album) | 1994 | KRO |
| 50 |  |
Johan de Meij • Boris Kozjevnikov • Jean Absil • Roger Nixon – The Dutch Royal Military Band, Pierre Kuijpers – Loch Ness(CD, ) | 1994 | Ottavo |
| 51 |  |
Johan de Meij / Hibiki Minowa / ARS Nova Wind Orchestra – 6 Apr 1993 Live Recording At Asakusa Public Hall, Tokyo(CD, Album) | 1993 | Concert Recording Co. Ltd. |
| 52 |  |
Koninklijke Militaire Kapel, Johan de Meij – Portrait Of Johan de Meij(CD, Album, Compilation) | 1991 | World Wind Music |
| 53 |  |
The Amsterdam Wind Orchestra, Arie Van Beek, Johan de Meij, Sergei Prokofiev – Symphony No. 1 The Lord Of The Rings / Suite From The Ballet Romeo And Juliet | 1990 | JE Classic |
| 54 |  |
Johan de Meij / Jerry Bilik, Koninklijke Militaire Kapel, Pierre Kuijpers – The Lord Of The Rings | 1989 | Not On Label (Koninklijke Militaire Kapel Self-released) |
| 55 |  |
Johan de Meij, Dutch Brass Sextet – Johan de Meij & Friends(CD, Album) | - | De Haske Brass |
| 56 |  |
Johan de Meij, Ensemble À Vent De Bourgogne, Jean Raffard, Thierry Weber (2) – T-Bone Concerto(CD, Album) | - | Not On Label (Ensemble À Vent De Bourgogne Self-released) |
Videos featuring Johan de Meij
Noord Nederlands Orkest – Johan de Meij · Symfonie Nr. 1: Lord Of The Rings (Album, 2005)
Johan de Meij | Noord Nederlands Orkest O.L.V. Jurjen Hempel – Symfonie Nr. 1: Lord Of The Rings
Zelf uitgebracht door het NNO in 2005 (NNO 2005 00).
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Johan-de-Meij-Noord-Nederlands-Orkest-OLV-Jurjen-Hempel-Symfonie-N
Leave a Reply