Contra Costa Wind Symphony: Spring Concert

Richard James as Gandalf An evening of music by famed Dutch composer
Johan de Meij.

Featured was his Symphony No. 1: "The Lord of the Rings." Completed in 1987, this major work expresses de Meij's musical impressions of his reading of the classic J. R. R. Tolkien novel.

There were dramatic interludes with narration by characters portrayed in each of the piece's five movements. Shellie Award winning actor Richard James presented his interpretation of the wizard Gandalf. Jennifer Wilson played Lady Galadriel and actors from the ClaytonArts Academy introduced the audience to Gimli, Orcs, the hobbit Frodo and Gollum.

Specially designed lighting and staging added an unusual extra dimension to the performance.

The truly unique presentation of this grand symphony was generated through the collaborative efforts of Tom Wills (Artistic Director), Phillip Hobson (Original Script), Scott Denison (Lighting Design) and Duane Carroll (Music Director).

Rounding out this all-de Meij concert were La Quintessenza, an exciting and wonderfully melodic exploration of a five-note theme, and his arrangement of selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular Phantom Of The Opera.


			Spring Concert
			Spring Concert




		Johan de Meij's Performed Friday, May 30, 2003, 8 p.m. Hofmann Theatre Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts Walnut Creek, California.
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	An evening of music by famed Dutch composer Johan de Meij. Featured was his *Symphony No. 1: "The Lord of the Rings."* Completed in 1987, this major work expresses de Meij's musical impressions of his reading of the classic J. R. R. Tolkien novel. There were dramatic interludes with narration by characters portrayed in each of the piece's five movements. Shellie Award winning actor Richard James presented his interpretation of the wizard Gandalf. Jennifer Wilson played Lady Galadriel and actors from the ClaytonArts Academy introduced the audience to Gimli, Orcs, the hobbit Frodo and Gollum. Specially designed lighting and staging added an unusual extra dimension to the performance. The truly unique presentation of this grand symphony was generated through the collaborative efforts of Tom Wills (Artistic Director), Phillip Hobson (Original Script), Scott Denison (Lighting Design) and Duane Carroll (Music Director). Rounding out this all-de Meij concert were La Quintessenza, an exciting and wonderfully melodic exploration of a five-note theme, and his arrangement of selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular Phantom Of The Opera.