Step Into Middle-earth: Johan de Meij’s The Lord of the Rings with Piedmont Wind Symphony
- Piedmont Wind Symphony
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
On Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM, Piedmont Wind Symphony invites audiences on a sweeping musical journey at Brendle Recital Hall. The program features an extraordinary lineup: internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Johan de Meij, percussion soloists Ksenija Komljenović and Antek Olesik, and Artistic Director / Conductor Mark A. Norman. Together, they will present a night that bridges cultures, celebrates percussion brilliance, and explores the rich landscapes of Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
Audiences will experience three thrilling works: Chen Yi’s Dragon Rhyme, Emmanuel Séjourné’s Gotan Concerto, and de Meij’s celebrated masterpiece, Symphony No. 1: The Lord of the Rings, conducted by the composer himself.
Johan de Meij – Guest Conductor & Composer of The Lord of the Rings Symphony
Dutch composer and conductor Johan de Meij (b. 1953) is one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary symphonic music. His compositions have been performed by top orchestras around the globe, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Tokyo Philharmonic. His Symphony No. 1: The Lord of the Rings—inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic—earned the prestigious Sudler Composition Prize and has become a cornerstone of the wind orchestra repertoire.
In addition to composing five symphonies and ten concertos, de Meij has conducted in some of the world’s most iconic venues, from Carnegie Hall in New York to Suntory Hall in Tokyo. His appearance in Winston-Salem offers audiences the rare chance to experience The Lord of the Rings Symphony under the baton of its creator.
Chen Yi’s Dragon Rhyme – East Meets West
The concert begins with Chen Yi’s Dragon Rhyme, a vibrant two-movement work commissioned by the National Wind Ensemble Consortium Group and premiered at Carnegie Hall in 2010. Drawing on the intervals and textures of Beijing opera music, Chen Yi layers transparent delicacy with bold strength to conjure the image of the dragon—a symbol of vitality and auspiciousness in Eastern culture. Dragon Rhyme embodies the fusion of tradition and modernity, making it a striking opening to this diverse program.
Emmanuel Séjourné’s Gotan Concerto – A Historic Premiere
Next, the spotlight turns to Emmanuel Séjourné’s Gotan Concerto, a dazzling three-movement work originally written for marimba, vibraphone, and percussion ensemble. Known for its rhythmic vitality, lyrical beauty, and tango-inspired drive, the concerto is both technically demanding and emotionally captivating.
Thanks to a new arrangement by David Mailman, this performance marks the first time the Gotan Concerto will ever be performed with wind symphony accompaniment—an exciting milestone in the percussion repertoire.
The soloists for this performance, Ksenija Komljenović and Antek Olesik, bring their artistry and virtuosity to the work, ensuring an electrifying premiere.
Ksenija Komljenović – Percussion Soloist
Ksenija Komljenović is a prizewinner of the International Percussion Competition Luxembourg and has performed across Europe, Asia, and the United States. In 2024–2025, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York premiere of Gabriela Ortiz’s Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness and also premiered Episodes for Marimba and Orchestra by Emmy-winning composer Chris Boardman.
A faculty member at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Ksenija is not only a performer but also an educator, composer, and advocate for young musicians. She co-founded the acclaimed Vesna Duo, whose debut album featuring her arrangement of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring received international recognition. Her compositions, including Slavdom for wind band, reflect her Slavic and Balkan heritage, while her career highlights her commitment to cultural exchange and mentorship.
Antek Olesik – Percussion Soloist
Born in Poland in 2000, Antek Olesik began his musical career at the age of seven and has since become one of the most decorated young percussionists of his generation. He has won more than twenty first prizes at international competitions, including the International Marimba Festiva Competition in Germany (2014, 2018) and the Frost Concerto Competition in Miami (2021).
Antek made his concerto debut at age twelve with Ney Rosauro’s Second Marimba Concerto and has since performed with leading orchestras such as the National Polish Radio Symphony, Silesian Philharmonic, and Zabrze Philharmonic. A graduate of the Frost School of Music, where he studied under Svet Stoyanov and Joseph Petrasek, Antek is also the winner of the inaugural Frost Artist Launch Competition. His performances combine technical mastery with a deep sense of musicality, making him a standout voice in contemporary percussion.
Johan de Meij’s Symphony No. 1: The Lord of the Rings – The Epic Finale
The evening concludes with Johan de Meij’s monumental Symphony No. 1: The Lord of the Rings. Structured in five movements, the work vividly captures Tolkien’s world: the wisdom of Gandalf, the ethereal beauty of Lothlórien, the torment of Gollum, the peril of the Journey in the Dark, and the joyful resilience of the Hobbits. Since its premiere in 1988, this symphony has become one of the most beloved works in the wind ensemble repertoire.
To hear it conducted by Johan de Meij himself is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both Tolkien fans and lovers of symphonic music.
A Concert of Innovation and Imagination
This program embodies the heart of Piedmont Wind Symphony’s mission of bringing people together through music. With bold programming and world-class artistry, the evening unites cultures, traditions, and imaginations. From the Eastern-inspired sonorities of Chen Yi, to the groundbreaking premiere of Séjourné’s Gotan Concerto with wind symphony, to the fantasy-inspired brilliance of de Meij’s Lord of the Rings Symphony, this concert creates a shared experience that transcends boundaries and celebrates the power of music to connect us all.
Tickets are available at pwsymphony.org/lordoftherings
About Piedmont Wind Symphony
Founded in 1989, Piedmont Wind Symphony has been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of classical music. As one of the few non-military professional wind symphonies in the United States, the symphony is committed to innovating and evolving wind ensemble music. Through its dedication to artistic excellence and creative programming, Piedmont Wind Symphony continues to make wind music relevant and inspiring, engaging audiences across the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County community and beyond.
-
Contact
For press inquiries or more information about the concert, please contact:
Brianna Cantwell
Executive Director
Comments