The UPEI Wind Symphony will perform Dutch composer Johan de Meij’s Symphony No. 1, “The Lord of the Rings”, as part of a program that includes “Conzensus” by Jan Van der Roost, “Concertino for Flute” by Cécile Chaminade, and “Suite in Eb” by Gustav Holst.
De Meij’s work, not to be confused with the movie soundtrack written by Howard Shore, received the prestigious Sudler Composition Award in 1989. In 2001, the orchestral version was premiered by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. The Lord of the Rings has been recorded by renowned orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the North Netherlands Orchestra, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra and the Amsterdam Wind Orchestra.
The symphony consists of five separate movements, each illustrating a personage or an important episode from the book: “Gandalf” (The Wizard); “Lothlorien” (The Elvenwood); “Gollum” (Sméagol); “Journey in the Dark”, and “Hobbits”.
The University of Prince Edward Island Wind Symphony is comprised of UPEI music students and dedicated community musicians. It provides opportunities for its participants to apply their performance skills and develop musically through the study and performance of wind band literature as well as give its audiences meaningful and personal experiences with quality wind music, in the widest possible range of musical style and expression..
Each year the Wind Symphony performs two recitals on campus and tours selected areas of the region to provide its membership with additional performance experiences.
Under the direction of Dr. Karem J. Simon, the ensemble has been acclaimed for its progressive approach to performance and programming. The Wind Symphony has produced an annual compact disc during each of the past thirteen years featuring selected repertoire from each year’s performances.
Admission for this concert is $5 for students/seniors and $10 for adults.
