The Dutch composer Stephen Emmer, known for creating TV tunes for programs such as NOS Journaal, RTL Nieuws, RTL Late Night and RTL BLVD has won a Global Music Award in America for the compositions on his new album Mt. Mundane. This is the third time Emmer has won a Global Music Award for his music. He won it in 2017 for the album Home Ground, in 2022 for Maison Melody, and now in 2024 for Mt. Mundane, released in October. The last Dutch individuals to receive a major American music award were conductor Bernard Haitink, composer Louis Andriessen, saxophonist Candy Dulfer, producers Tearce Kizzo and Roselilah, DJ Tiësto and the Metropole Orchestra.
Stephen Emmer: “I am incredibly happy and grateful that my music is once again being well received in America. Especially because Mt. Mundane has become such a personal album, which I have worked hard and intensely on despite my limitations. This international recognition for music that I did not create on commission gives me a wonderful feeling. And the many responses from all over the world, that is something to truly enjoy.”
Mt. Mundane is Emmer's most intense and melodic album, as he has been suffering from partial hearing loss and tinnitus for several years. In 2023, Stephen Emmer launched the foundation 'Artists Against Tinnitus' aimed at raising awareness about all hearing-related issues from an artist's perspective.
The award-winning album Mt. Mundane was recorded in early 2024 under the direction of conductor Anthony Weeden (The Lord of the Rings and the longtime conductor of the late Jóhann Jóhannsson) at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. With an ensemble of over 70 professional classical musicians, including a choir, from various renowned British orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra. Senior Recording Engineer Andrew Dudman (Star Wars, The King's Speech) was responsible for the recordings, Grammy Award winner Nigel Short was the choir conductor, and pianist Ben Dawson and boys' choir member Joshua Davidson completed the studio orchestra.
Get your copy of the Luxury Edition of Mt.Mundane here.
Visit the Global Music Awards website here.
Stephen Emmer, awards, highlights and accolades:
Scoring for Television - Royal College of Music in London (1984)
Prix de Rome (1988)
Custom Made Award for Best Television Music - Promax BDA (1988)
Initiator of the Dutch Music and Sound Design Award (2004)
Jury Chairman of the Dutch Music and Sound Design Award (2004)
Founder of the Buma Music in Motion conference (2017)
Independent Music Award (2017)
Global Music Award (2017)
Independent Music Golden Award (2018)
Buma Oeuvre Award (2020)
Nomination for Opus Klassik Awards (2020)
Knight in the Order of Oranje Nassau (2022)
Global Music Award (2022)
Global Music Award (2024)
