Via Claudia - Johan de Meij (An Imaginary Journey across the Alps) The Symphonic Wind Orchestra Landeck was founded in 1637, and is one of the oldest ensembles in the world. It was a distinct honour to write a commissioned work for their 375th anniversary in 2012 – I don’t get requests like this on a daily basis, particularly from a wind orchestra of such storied history. After taking a quick dive into the history of Landeck, a picturesque town in Tyrol, Austria, I learned how the town was a way station on the Via Claudia Augusta. This old Roman road was the main link between the Italian Po Valley and the German city of Augsburg. In Via Claudia, the orchestra takes the listeners on a journey across the Alps, which begins on a misty morning near Venice. In a stately procession the travellers master an arduous climb and navigate bumpy trails and steep mountain passes. When the highest point is reached, the sun breaks through wispy clouds and they behold the breathtaking alpine scenery of the valley. The tour continues to a flowering alpine meadow with peacefully grazing cows. An alphorn sounds from afar - the echoes bounce between the steep mountain walls. The approach to Landeck is illustrated by brilliant brass fanfares. Finally, the end of the journey, the arrival in Augsburg, is marked by a triumphant hymn. Via Claudia received its world premier in 2012 during the Anniversary Concert of the Symphonic Wind Orchestra Landeck, conducted by the composer. The work is dedicated to conductor Helmut Schmid, who initiated this commissioning project. Spring (Overture) - Johan de Meij The work recounts the magical re-awakening of spring’s arrival in Sweden. After a long and dark winter, creatures great and small join Swedes desperately longing for the first rays of warming sunshine. A melancholic, haunting song is first heard from afar (När som jag var på mitt adertonde år – ‘As I was on my 18th year’). Various instruments from different locations in the concert hall are echoing the solitary female voice. The aching, soulful melody gradually transforms to a polka-like variant that builds to the joyful, optimistic Spring main theme. Creatures venture out from a long hibernation, people emerge from their homes to celebrate, and the main theme converts again into an even more jubilant, fast dance-like scene. At this point, another well-known Swedish folksong appears as a counter melody (Ack Värmeland du sköna – ‘Oh Värmland Thou Art Beautiful’) thematically supporting the giddy celebrants. It is first introduced by a brass quartet (2 cornets, alto horn & euphonium) and crescendos into the full, satisfying sounds of complete brass choir. Symphony No. 4 Sinfonie der Lieder (Symphony of Songs) for solo voice, children’s choir and wind orchestra My 4th Symphony for solo voice, children’s choir and wind orchestra is inspired by a variety of 19th century German poems. The first three movements use lyrics from the same source as Gustav Mahler did earlier: Kindertotenlieder by Friedrich Rückert. 1) Ein Jahr ist nun geschwunden 2) Wenn zur Thür herein 3) Wiedersehn The second half of the symphony continues on the death theme, using a poem by Heinrich Heine (‘Two Brothers’). The last two songs, ‘Early Spring’ and ‘Song of the Harlequin’ by Hugo von Hofmannsthal are a metaphor for rebirth, new life and hope. 4) Zwei Brüder (Heinrich Heine) 5) Vorfrühling (Hugo von Hofmannsthal) 6) Liedchen des Harlekin (Hugo von Hofmannsthal) The symphony was written at the request of the South-Tirol Youth Wind Orchestra, for the annual Mahler Festival in Toblach/Dobaccio-Italy. The world premiere took place on July 24th, 2013 in Dobaccio, in attendance of the composer. This live recording is the American first performance, on October 20th, 2013 in Central Valley-New York. The 4th Symphony is dedicated to my sweet mother in law, Eileen Machan-Schley Biography Johan de Meij Johan de Meij (1953) studied trombone and conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music at The Hague. He has earned international fame as a composer and arranger. De Meij’s Symphony No.1 The Lord of the Rings was his first substantial composition and received the prestigious Sudler Composition Award in 1989. Other major works such as Symphony No. 2 The Big Apple, Symphony no. 3 Planet Earth, T-Bone Concerto (trombone concerto) and Casanova (cello concerto) and shorter works such as Extreme Makeover and Extreme Beethoven have also gained worldwide recognition. Besides composing and arranging, Johan de Meij is active as a performer, conductor, adjudicator and lecturer. As a trombone and euphonium player he has performed with the major orchestras and ensembles in The Netherlands, such as the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, the Dutch Brass Sextet, the Radio Chamber Orchestra, the Amsterdam Wind Orchestra and Orkest ‘De Volharding’. He has conducted some of the leading wind orchestras of Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America and has led master classes around the world. In 2010, he was appointed regular guest conductor of the renowned Simón Bolívar Youth Wind Orchestra from Caracas, Venezuela.