Band

Here is Schubert's gorgeous melody from his String Quartet No. 14 in a wonderful setting for concert band. Very playable for young bands! Dur: 3:15 (Grade 2)

Here is Schubert's gorgeous melody from his String Quartet No. 14 in a wonderful setting for concert band. Very playable for young bands! Dur: 3:15 (Grade 2)

I. The Night Watch - Rembrandt van Rijn II. The Love Letter - Johannes Vermeer III. Prince's Day - Jan Steen For this impressive work, Johan de Meij draws inspiration from famous paintings found in the Rijksmuseum in his home town of Amsterdam. All three works of art were completed during the Dutch Golden Age around 1650. The three movements present a varied mix of styles and moods including a stately procession, a melancholy ballad, and finally a festive celebration and dance. Dur: 20:00 Recorded on Johan de Meij - Dutch Masters Amstel Classics (04000246)

This new work by Johan de Meij consists of a set of metamorphoses on a theme from Tchaikovsky's well-known Andante cantabile (from String Quartet No. 1 in D). Tchaikovsky stated, Never have I been so proud of my creative powers as when Leo Tolstoy sat in the chair next to mine listening to my Andante, and the tears ran down his cheeks. De Meij states the theme with a saxophone quartet (joined by oboes, bassoons and clarinets), followed by the first metamorphosis, which emanates from a single tone. A timpani solo forms a transition to Alla Marcia, in a neo-classical style. The following movement features the playing of tuned bottles, leading into an extensive marimba solo. This joins seamlessly to the finale, a canonic treatment of the theme, leading to a festive conclusion.

This melodic hymn was commissioned by the town of Margraten in Limburg, The Netherlands for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Margraten Municipality. The work was premiered at a large gala concert on November 24, 2007. Dur: 5:30 Recorded on Johan de Meij - Dutch Masters Amstel Classics (04000246)

This monumental work, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece, is a challenging and uniquely rewarding composition for the advanced concert band. The first movement is a musical portrait of the wizard Gandalf, one of the principal characters in the trilogy.

This monumental work, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece, is a challenging and uniquely rewarding composition for the advanced concert band. The third movement describes the monstrous creature Gollum, a slimy, shy being represented by the soprano saxophone.