by Johan de Meij
Album Title: JOHAN DE MEIJ SYMPHONY NO. 5 RETURN TO MIDDLE EARTH
Recording: St. Michael Thorn Wind Orchestra
Conductor: Ivan Meylemans
Soloist: Claudia Couwenbergh – soprano
Choir: Brabant Choir
Conductor: Louis Buskens
Publisher: AMSTEL CLASSICS
Johan de Meij is a longtime friend of the American Band College and has written many significant compositions for wind orchestra. The most popular work of de Meij is his Symphony No. 1 “The Lord of the Rings” based on the mythological fantasy realm of J.R.R. Tolkien. Three decades removed from his first symphony de Meij returns to this world with Symphony No. 5 “Return to Middle Earth”. Rather than go deep into the subject matter, Middle Earth is an incredibly descriptive portrait of the characters, beings and environment of this world. Unlike Lord of the Rings a solo soprano & choir add a distinct flavor to this symphony as well as providing special vocal and percussive effects. The listener will immediately engulf themself into Middle Earth in all its magnitude. An incredible musical and thought provoking symphony expertly crafted by de Meij.
