Symphony No. 1, Lord of the Rings, by Johan de Meij

Symphony No. 1, Lord of the Rings, by Johan de Meij
Wellington Winds, Johan de Meij, conductor
Daniel Warren, music director
Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, Ontario Canada
May 6, 2012
Video by Constantin Videos: www.constantinv...

[@lauraridesmotorcycles]

For quick reference: Gandalf (The Wizard) - 0:07 Lothlorien (The Elvenwood) - 6:22 Gollum (Smeagol) - 14:11 Journey in the Dark: (The Mines of Moria) - 24:09 (The Bridge of Khazad-Dum) - 30:19 Hobbits - 32:29

[@tdvance]

First time I've seen left-handed conducting.

[@starryeyedD0e]

I'm in high school and we're playing a shorter version of this song. I am the only trumpet of 4 playing trumpet 1, so I have all the trumpet solos. We are performing on Tuesday and I am super scared. Wish me luck!

[@Frizziminator19]

+Dakota Thompson how was it? :)

[@starryeyedD0e]

It went well! Thanks!

[@brettins]

+Dakota Thompson Awesome :) I played this in High School as well, I was on Euphonium (which has the best descant line in "Hobbits")!

[@starryeyedD0e]

I love that part. Me and my friend played it together all the time!

[@theamazingcaspo9812]

+Dakota Thompson Hey we're doing this in school too! Our performance is in two weeks time :)

[@amaxamon]

I once wrote a libretto for an opera based on Beowulf -- the poet Paul Muldoon met with me and discussed it and he told me I was on the right track -- my dream was for JdM to compose it -- after years of work I emailed him and he said he was interested and would read it -- but I got cold feet (I was still in my 20's) and never sent it :( I sometimes wonder what my life would be like now if I had sent it along.

[@joshlampe3458]

Wow, what a show these few people are getting. This is one of the best symphonic pieces of music (if not the best), played exquisitely, for free. Absolutely a masterpiece--done right. The musicians and director should be proud.

[@LiveTalkNow]

Fair effort, but plenty of pitch issues.

[@kerribari3360]

I played a condensed version of this in High School Band. I missed playing this it was fun.

[@CLryanflower]

This is definitely a classic piece!! And everyone had good voice in this band. Even though there are some pitch problem, it was still a good job!!

[@JCHB322]

I was first chair French Horn when I played this in college! We did movements I, II, & V. Such fun to play!

[@FelixTruvere]

JCHB322 I played horn on this too. I’m sure you heard that French horn crack just about at 0:55

[@krystof1270]

I'm first horn too. my middle/high school band is playing this next semester.

[@guitarmansegovia]

5th chair horn 2004 ATSSB Honor Band, played 3rd part. Also played 2nd and 3rd parts for Virtual Concert Band’s most recent rendition.

[@wonderfurret8223]

I have only played the first movement as a second flute, and I after this long I still have not let go of it as my favourite piece of music. Stinking difficult for my level, but so much fun. After listening to the whole piece in all 5 of its glorious movements, I fall in love with it even more. I would go back to it again to get better at those 32nd note passages and to enjoy it as a live performer. Moving into that maestoso line at the rit always brings chills up my spine. Best part of the piece by far.

[@alexkirkpatrick8351]

I played the first movement as second trombone in high school. I agree, it’s one of my favorite pieces to play and listen to. Absolute genius.

[@pablobasstb]

the Bass Trombone lady plays very well! nice sound..

[@paulblake1415]

Although there are some pitch issues and a couple of wrong notes, this is very well done. Having performed this many times myself (principal trombone), I can say this is a very rewarding piece to prepare.

[@Napster9810]

I am in Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band and we just worked with Maestro De Meij and performed this symphony in our beautiful Chapel of the Resurrection. Such amazing music and such a gifted composer and conductor. Playing this under his conducting has been the highlight of my musical career!!!

[@MichaelWarman]

The conductor looks like James May...

[@justynsmith9921]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that!

[@m.b.3285]

+Michael Warman I will never unsee that XD

[@StewartEngart]

+Michael Warman You know James May went to university for music, right?

[@MichaelWarman]

I knew he was into music. He wrote the theme music for James May's Man Lab.

[@demoman1596sh]

+Michael Warman The conductor on this video is Johan de Meij himself, it turns out, which basically rhymes with May, haha...

[@scottklasek7138]

I didn't know Louis C.K. played bari sax

[@mlefeb]

Scott Klasek Hahaha ^^^

[@michaelcowling9928]

right there next to the bass trombone...I can't not see it now

[@newspaperhat8737]

I'm so amazed! It was so beautiful to see them play, and wonderful listening to them make such breath-taking music!!!

[@timcao5687]

is it me, or does meji look an awful lot like pippin

[@amandastevens1117]

Maybe a father figure to pippin

[@Peripatetic45]

Big sound, yet very transparent (especially the picc.) The standing timpanist was interesting, and some impressive tubas. Is there an elf on the end of the flutes?

[@msbwj]

Your group is marvelous. Our local concert band played a short suite from this symphony last night. How fun to have the composer conduct. Too bad you didn't have a bigger audience. Congratulations.

[@jamespratte8556]

We named the contra-alto Clarinet at JMU "Schmeagul" after performing this. It was a brand new piece then!

[@TheCobaltshift]

In an orchestra players will often rub their knee's as a way of silently applauding each other when doing a difficult part well =) it's possible the part had given them difficulties in rehearsal so they were pleased with how it went in the performance.

[@amandarose407]

It makes me sad, how few people were there. My high school band played this in school, and I always thought this was a much better piece of music than what Howard Shore wrote for the films. And with de Meij conducting this himself! I would have loved to see it in person.

[@josepmir4530]

The soundtrack is a masterpiece though

[@pmdrums123]

playing this in school band it hard

[@MysteryAndroclese401]

So glad I'm not the only left-handed director out there!

[@demoman1596sh]

+MysteryAndroclese401 Turns out you're in good company... Johan de Meij himself is the one conducting! :p

[@johnries5593]

Curiously, I've never paid attention to what hand the conductor's baton is in (apparently I'm focused too much on the music itself and what the conductor is doing with his baton and hands). Perhaps I should be a touch more observant.

[@chenderhan]

We did this for our fall marching show my senior year in high school (baritone). Very cool to see DeMeij himself conducting! Thanks for sharing!!

[@herrrotkappchen7816]

Nice example of program music, although it is tonal and reminds me Berlioz (Symphonie fantastique). I like wind orchestra very much.

[@sk8rmyk]

I really enjoyed this performance and seeing de Meij conduct the group! Thank you!!

[@briannaraeofsun]

Performing about the first 6min in my highschool band for a concert :) Such a lovely piece

[@michaelcowling9928]

When I played this in high school we had about 5 days to learn it before we played in front of a packed Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio, TX

[@annonymous6827]

@@michaelcowling9928 That sounds tough. How did you guys do?

[@michaelcowling9928]

@@annonymous6827 We did pretty good. I think that was also the year we did Barnum and Bailey's Favorite. Band director started the first playthrough for that song off with 'University of such and such played this song last year and their time from start to finish was two minutes and however many seconds after working on it for a month. That's the time to beat and I think you kids can do it in a week.' We beat their time by about 5 seconds if I am remembering correctly.

[@annonymous6827]

@@michaelcowling9928 Wow. Well done.

[@pierski62130]

just amazing! sincere congratulations to the band and to the composer / conductor

[@lizdavison7798]

I am so disappointed with the percussion section (and I’m only at minute 3) I can’t continue watching. So sad considering that it is de Meij conducting. Note I played this as a percussionist in high school and can still remember ever part so yeah I’m a critical audience. But seriously y’all.

[@JonathanLarson-CoolJon]

Agreed. The poor snare drummer could not seem to stay on top of the beat.

[@abbywoytowich4862]

also a percussionist, and yeah, right away, I'm hearing things that aren't right.

[@maji1959]

Ok, some problems, but the fact is... why are empty sits?

[@BluenoserLady]

Wow! Just fabulous! What an honor to be conducted by Johan De Meij himself. I'm speechless. Great job!

[@FelixTruvere]

I remember my director being so animated at the part @ 21:40. This guy lol. I was also a passionate band director showing the music’s emotion on my movements and face.

[@stylezco]

This is the actual composer no?

[@storkie1]

Such a beautiful piece :) i do recognise quite some passages from the work heaven on earth by Maurice Hamers, so I guess he copied some stuff from it, but great performance and great orchestra :)

[@storkie1]

As in: Maurice Hamers copied from Johan de meij not the other way around

[@garugusubaru5667]

Is great. Sound one is no mistake. I am a junior high school students live in Japan now. I belong to the brass band. I'm doing good so tuba but no sound. People of conductor It is a good expression to it. You are thrilled to hear this. Thank you for a great performance.

[@beerzerker8359]

Makes me chuckle recognizing a few faces in that band.

[@saxdemars]

one word : Superb !

[@gregburris9972]

Sop sax sounded really good IMO.

[@ИванИванов-э4л7п]

shore is better

[@DavidInSomnia]

at 8:13 is that Eugene from Buzzfeed playing the oboe?

[@gregburris9972]

And Meij looks like John Cleese!

[@jordicidmarti5532]

the worst percussionists ever :/ wtf at some places they don't enter at tempo

[@gameflymc3374]

Jordi cid marti completely agree. They also enter at the wrong times and play several wrong notes

[@Raze_134]

That hobbit theme

[@hibotantan]

so good !

[@Sharon-ff7np]

Whoa, I actually didn't hear any tuning issues in Gandalf. But then again, I'm basically tone deaf... any tuning issues that are minor enough can make it past me :P

[@colleenscott9634]

Jeez, can you imagine playing for 40 minutes straight?

[@MrDrumStikz]

I'm playing this piece, so yes, I can.

[@colleenscott9634]

Well, good luck with that.

[@classa50]

No problem, played it years ago.

[@Fumbles9001]

Have you heard Mahler's 3rd symphony? It's an hour and 45 minutes long.

[@tannerjordan2010]

***** Webern's symphony is 12 minutes long.

[@GreenNoodlz1]

Does anyone know where to find the full orchestra version? I played a shorter version at music camp and the strings really add a beautiful element to the piece.

[@timcao5687]

+Samantha Creech what strings?

[@erikgrundy]

The song was composed for a concert band, so no strings, unfortunately. The version you heard must have been arranged/added to.

[@KevinDeBorger]

It’s original for wind band (1988) but in 2001 it was arranged for symphonic orchestra by Henk De Vlieger and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

[@Ardjano234]

Is this related to Howard Shore? Who was first?

[@lautarotorres-ho6oi]

Johann de Meij is related to the books, Howard Shore films obviously. I always prefer Howard Shore

[@cream9184]

Mr.Schill be like

[@aestrivex]

The second or third trumpet keeps flubbing notes throughout

[@theofficial-bradc7813]

Very nice!

[@sf5009]

thanks Pablo!

[@tywaterfield9265]

Did they forget to tune?

[@FelixTruvere]

The douche in the audience at the lower right of your screen nodding off & falling asleep @ 20:52 & again @ 21:00. What’s funny is that the director is almost directing it with his own head-nodding movements @ 20:52 lol

[@jaxcullen7477]

Jaysus

[@michaelcowling9928]

Over the last 2 days I watched the Peter Jackson movies and I picked up on subtle queues from this piece in the score. Just a few bars here and there showing up in the background music. We played this at State (Texas - ATSSB) when I was either a junior or senior in High school (either 1997 or 1998). Spots around 4:30 and the theme from around 8:00 stuck out to me. 6:00 Trumpet crack...good lord...your supposed to be professionals and this sounds like a typical middle school...

[@owenwilliams1222]

It’s a great piece, but it seems like they didn’t tune, and that’s based off of listening to the first 20-30 seconds :/

[@joer3481]

INTONATION !...not that I'm perfect.....

[@ismailberkeren]

thanks

[@Alex1008H]

Sorry, but the oboe is awful!!!

[@DjVinylDashie]

let's play "spot the black person"!

[@srgfk]

DjVinylDashie let's play spot the raciist.... pointing out that there are only white people Is also racist

[@pabloescobar2981]

omg ! STFU with your leftist rant. enjoy the music. music has no color

[@thatthinker]

Did you know also that there's so much discrimination in orchestra auditions that even in blind auditions, hearing that the individual preforming walked onto stage in heels can affect their likelyhood of getting in because sexism. Additionally, good music programs in public school typically are rare except in affluent areas who have high property taxes... which wouldnt be an issue if there wasn't a massive systemic racism problem affecting the distribution of wealth in the United States.

[@charlytaylor1748]

@@thatthinker A trans in high heels should deal with that. Be creative

[@joer3481]

I'm not...