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Living Composer: Joe Wiedemann



Joe Wiedemann is an American composer, who has been composing music (particularly for television) for over 40 years. He has been nominated for three Emmy awards for composing/arranging, as well as receiving eight awards for broadcast journalism! He has received other high-level recognition, including a Telly Award, three Silver AXEIM awards, won the American Idol Underground Inaugural Classical Competition, was Keyboard Magazine's Unsigned Artist of the Month, and was listed as Best Keyboards in Garage Band's Pop category.


As a child, he wrote music and experimented with a home movie camera, which led to him developing an interest in audio and visual production components. He went on to complete a double major in Music and Radio/TV/Film, and began a career in broadcasting. He was passionate about creating synth music, and made use of the technology (and developments!) available to him in order to create a new sound world. Joe's works are, of course, available in digital formats, and have also been performed live by ensembles around the world.



With a particular interest in the use of the synth in classical music, Joe developed the Orchestronics project, releasing his first album in 1999. "Bulls & Bears" contained 11 tracks, and was the result of Joe's experimentation with the possibilities of the synth in an orchestral context. As of 2021, he is up to album number 6: "Painted Variations". This album is about variations - in melody, orchestration, and more, so that each piece is different from the last. Visit the site at the link below, or keep scrolling to listen to some of Joe's works!


 

Joe's compositions:


  • Painted Variations on a Theme of Paganini


  • Evolve


  • Synth Concerto No. 2: I. Andante con moto


 

Sound Garden Products

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At Sound Garden, we currently offer the following products:

  • Classical Sessions for adults and teens

  • Classical Inspirations for ages 6-12

  • Composer Activity Guides for parents/carers of ages 0-6

  • Online courses

  • ...and more!

 

Joe's Top 5 Classical Music Works:

  • Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5


  • Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2


  • Rachmaninoff: Vocalise (arranged for orchestra)


  • Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 1


  • Anything by Bach... (so we selected the Magnificat BWV 243)


 

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