Overcoming ear disease by making a beautiful classical album

Amsterdam composer Stephen Emmer, known for hundreds of TV theme tunes such as that of RTL Boulevard, is partially deaf and has a ringing in his head. Yet he managed to overcome his handicap and created the classical album Mount Mundane together with an orchestra. He won the Global Music Award for it. "This feels like winning a gold medal at the Paralympic Games with one leg."

In the early 1980s, Stephen Emmer (son of the famous 70s and 80s news anchor Fred Emmer) played in the new wave band Minny Pops. They toured England together with the well-known band Joy Division. "We made rebellious, noisy music," says Stephen. "We didn't know that all that loud music was bad for your ears." That was likely where the foundation was laid for Emmer's later ear conditions. In recent years, he has been struggling with deafness in one ear and constantly hears a high-pitched ringing in his head. More than annoying for someone who depends on his hearing for his work. Stephen has been creating theme tunes for radio and TV programs for 40 years. The most famous are those for RTL Boulevard and Per seconde Wijzer.

The best thing I've ever made

When working became increasingly difficult due to his ear disease, Stephen went through a period of great gloom. But he managed to pull himself together and began writing an album full of calm, cinematic classical music.

The composer recorded the music with an orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London, known for the Beatles. He named the album Mount Mundane, and it deals with overcoming adversity and the search for happiness. "It was just like someone who loses a leg and then starts training hard for the Paralympic Games to win a medal," Stephen explains. "Crazy enough, I think this is the best thing I've made in my career."

Global Music Award

Appreciation for the album is coming from all corners of the world. From people writing that they recognise themselves in the struggle to overcome adversity, to people who simply find it beautiful music. Mt Mundane was also awarded the Global Music Award. "I have made an album with calm music that is certainly not boring," says Stephen. "And it is also suitable for people with hearing problems."

[NH Nieuws - Ron Flens]

Listen to Mt Mundane on your favourite music platform here

Buy the Mt Mundane album on CD here