vita english
- Henning Schmiedt * (pianist, composer, arranger, producer)
Henning Schmiedt was born in 1965 in Schlema / Saxony.
Since the age of 7 years he took piano lessons and sang in church choirs.
Art and music were a refuge for the son of a priest and pacifist in communist East Germany .
Training in piano at the Conservatory of Rostock.
since 1986
Numerous concerts, CD productions, beginning with jazz-oriented ensemble.
From 1989
increasingly influenced by contemporary and world music.
He composed several film and theater music.
1991
“Theodorakis sings Theodorakis” first cooperation with Mikis Theodorakis.Since 1993
Collaboration with singer Jocelyn B. Smith – various publications.
1994
New arrangments and CD Production of the “Kindertotenlieder by Gustav Mahler for the ORB Brandenburg with Lauren NewtonRealization of a theatre music for “The Metamorphosis” on motifs by Franz Kafka with disabled musicians (premiere 1994 Deutsches Theater Berlin)
1995
Establishing the “PAmagieRA” – projects with Volker Schlott European tour with Mikis Theodorakis occasion of his 70th Birthday, live recording of a CD Beginning of cooperation with Maria Farantouri1996
Realization of an instrumental CD, mostly his own compositions (PAmagieRA)Chamber music arrangements of “POETICA” – production with Mikis Theodorakis and Maria Farantouri
Concert in the “Megarou Musikis” Athens – Conductor Nicos Tsuchlos
Soloist in concerts with symphonic works by Mikis Theodorakis (Sinfonietta, Etat de Siege) with the St. Petersburg Soloists including Leipzig Gewandhaus
1997
Arranger and music director of the European tour “POETICA” – Maria Farantouri1998
Arranger and musical director of “Asmata” – Production Mikis Theodorakis and Maria Farantouri – European tourArranger and music director of the Kurt Weill / George Gershwin-production “Blue light & nylons” with Jocelyn B. Smith Gigs at Weill Festival in Dessau
New – Orchestration of the “Canto General” by Mikis Theodorakis for symphonic orchestra, together with Jens Naumilkat –
Performances in Linz / Austria with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz-conductor Lukas Karytinos and Montreal / Canada – Conductor Mikis Theodorakis
1999
New – Orchestration of the opera “Kostas Kariotakis – The transformation of Dionysus” by Mikis Theodorakis for the European Music Festival PassauPublication of the second PAmagieRA – CD “Okanagan
Musical Director and arranger of the “First Songs” by Mikis Theodorakis
Concert in the “Holocaust Memorial Center in Washington with Mary Farantouri with an arrangement of the” Mauthausen-cycle for voice, piano, cello and live electronics
Arranger of symphonic Millennium – Events on the Athenian Acropolis for Mikis Theodorakis with the orchestra of the Athens-Opera conductor Lukas Karytinos, Mikis Theodorakis. transmitted worldwide by the BBC and CNN to about 800 million people.
Producer, arranger, and co-composer of the soundtrack to the film “Beware of greeks bearing guns” Australia / Greece (World Media / Universal)
2000
Arranger and music director of the CD “Margarita” JBSmith sings love songs by Mikis Theodorakis.Premiere in the Berlin PhilharmonieParticipation in the “Concert for Peace – Maria Farantouri and Zülfü Livaneli in the Townhall New York (uamit Al di Meola, Ara Dinkjian)
Concert in London’s Elizabeth Hall in honor of George Seferis
Composer and arranger of the soundtrack to the movie Dokumentarfim “Kurt Weill” by Sven Düfer
Ilahi project with Sufi songs in the Berlin Holy Cross Church with Sema and Suleyman Erguner
Music Director of the World Tour “Nostalgia” with Mary Farantouri (including Melbourne – Concert Hall, Brussels – Ancienne Belgique, Amsterdam – Paradiso)
Music Director of the gala concert for Mikis Theodorakis 75th Birthday on the Muenchener Koenigsplatz
Musical director and arranger Ferropolis events with Mikis Theodorakis, Gert Hof, Maria Farantouri, Jocelyn B. Smith, Chamber Orchestra Schloss Werneck
Premiere of the chamber version of Theodorakis’s opera “The Metamorphoses of Dionysus-Kostas Kariotakis” at the Athens Opera, directed by Gert Hof
Cooperation with the Catalan singer Maria del Mar Bonet, concert at L’Auditori Barcelona
Pianist for the Brandenburg Philharmonic in the performance of the symphonic “Canto General conductor” Juergen Bruns
2001
Cooperation with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra-Music Director of the Liberation Day events in the context of the European Capital of Culture Maria FarantouriComposer and arranger of the soundtrack to the movie Documentary “Kurt Weill” by Sven Düfer, festival participation in St. Petersburg and Dessau
Publication of the solo piano CD “Bilder”
Guest soloist with the Deutsche Symphony Orchestra Berlin, conductor Peter Rundel
Opening concert of the International Frankfurt Book Fair (Maria Farantouri)
Guest of the symphony the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation (Musica Viva), conductor Peter Rundel
Recital with Maria Farantouri and Jannis Vakarelis in the Athens Megaron Musikis songs by Mikis Theodorakis in the arrangments by H. Schmiedt
Musical Director European Tour “One century of Greek songs” with Mary Farantouri
Arranger and Musical Director of the Christmas production of “MY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE” with Jocelyn B. Smith (hymns, American. And europ. Carols with jazz musicians and the children of the Komische Oper Berlin)
Festival Concerts with Maria del Mar Bonet and Maria Farantouri in Spain
Concerts with the Chinese Sheng-player Wu Wei
Music Director of the “Christmas” Tour-Gigs in the Prince Regent Theatre in Munich and in the Harald Schmidt Show
2002
Composition of the opera fragment “restricted area”, libretto Masen Abou-DaknConcert with Jocelyn B. Smith on the occasion of the awarding of the Biennale-film prize of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mikis Theodorakis
Lecturer of the Ars and Lectures program at the University of California at Santa Barbara (Artist in residence),
Concert with Maria Farantouri and folk singer from Athens Maryo
Also concerts at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, and at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY as musical director of Berlin’s instrumentalists
Co-producer and arranger of the CD “Back To Soul” B. Jocelyn Smith
Musical Director of “Christmas” Tour Jocelyn B. Smith Schloss Elmau, Tonhalle Düsseldorf
2003
Concert in the European Parliament in Brussels with Maria FarantouriMusic Director of the guest performance by Maria Farantouri at the festival in Pordenone, Italy in honor of Vassilis Vassilikos
Jazz Award by the Federation of the Phonographic Industry as Arangeur Jocelyn B. Smith and producer of the CD “Blue Light & Nylons”
Music Director of the European tour by Maria Farantouri – “The Voice of Peace” with Zülfü Livaneli as guest
Guest performance with the Turkish singer SEMA and Taksim invited by the Goethe Institute in Istanbul at Tünel Festival
Music Director of the Ilahi project with SEMA in Koc MuseumI Istanbul at the 31st International Istanbul Festival
Participation in the Ecumenical Church Congress Expertendinner of the first in Berlin / Brandenburg Gate as Musical Director of Jocelyn B. Smith
Participation in the benefit concert in Nicosia on the occasion of opening the border between the Greek and Turkish part of Cyprus with Zülfü Livaneli and Maria Farantouri
Guest performance at the International Folk Music Festival-Kaustinen in Finland with Maria Farantouri
Opening concert of the Zurich Theatre Spectacle with SEMA and Taksim
Arranger of symphonic concert with songs by Bridges Zülfü Livaneli sung by Maria Farantouri uaim Athens Concert Hall Athens. Conductor: Semyon Gokan Volos Philharmonic
Arranger of the CD recording with songs by Mikis Theodorakis – Maria Farantouri and Jannis Vakarelis
Cooperation with the Fado singer Telmo Pires
2004
Opening concert of the “German-Turkish Culture Weeks” with Zülfü Livaneli and Maria Farantouri in the Munich Philharmonic (Gasteig)Arranger of the European anthem Children of Peter Thomas / Optical implementation by the light artist Gert Hof –
First performance at Eurovision Gala for the enlargement of the European Union-Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt Berlin – live broadcast at approximately 1.7 billion people around the world
Producer for the Portuguese singer Telmo Pires CD Passos
Participation in the winners’ concert of the German Folkpreises for Wu Wei
Gala Concert with JBSmith the occasion of the presentation of the German Hörfilmpreises 2004
Requiem composition and production based on a text by the painter Johann Heinrich Radeloff in co-production with RBB and the Children’s Komische Oper Berlin, soloist Hagen Matzeit JB Smith
2005
Companion for Jocelyn B. Smith at the Central Ecumenical memorial service for victims of the tsunami disaster in South AsiaBenefit concert by RBB Radio Multikulti with Jocelyn B. Smith RBB Radio Multikulti transmits this concert live – like the German wave (DW) for Asia and Australia, Africa and Europe. In addition, several radio stations in Europe, the USA and Asia, connected live
Ilahi – common project with the singer SEMA for Peregrina Music
Musical director of the Berlin Soloists on the occasion of opening the 80th Birthday of Mikis Theodorakis in Luxembourg
Concert with Maria Farantouri in Paris for Women Against Fundamentalism and for Equality.
with Jocelyn B. Smith concert “a day for democracy” live on Branbenburger gate
Arranger of Mary Farantouri / Zülfü Livaneli for Legend Records CD-Athen live presentation in Istanbul , Ankara
Recital with Maria Farantouri Luxembourg, Amsterdam and Brussels
Arranger and music director with the actress Katrin Sass ( Goodbye Lenin) Director Bettina Boettinger
Concerts as conductor of the Berlin Instrumntalisten with Mary Farantouri in Vienna (Concert Hall), Munich, Zurich
Arranger of the CD “FIRST SONGS” (intuition) by Mikis Theodorakis
Soloist with film music concerts of the Philharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz (conductor Jonathan Butcher, Ari Rasilainen – soloist JB Smith)
Arranger and soloist for the award of the IMC-UNESCO Music Award for Mikis Theodorakis with the Symphony Orchestra Aachen
2006
two-month study in JapanFestival appearances with Jocelyn B. Smith e.g. Semper Opera Dresden
Participation in the opening concert of the 12th Jewish Film Festival Berlin with Jocelyn B. Smith and cantor Roslyn Barak (San Francisco)
Festival performances with “Ilahiler Nevesler Ve-Mystic Sufigesänge” Others Dresden Music Festival with Sema and the clarinet virtuoso Selim Sesler
Premiere of the piano solo program “MA”
Piano recital with Maria Farantouri e.g. Neu-Hardenberg, München, Antwerp
Christmas concerts with Tomoko Masur, Koko Taylor, Sylvain Fournier
New Year’s Eve Gala of the German Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the Circus Roncalli-conductor Jonathan Butler
2007
Germany tour as music director of Katrin SassArranger of the CD “Maria Farantouri-The Way Home” Peregrina Music
New recording of Henning Schmiedt and Jens Naumilkat dedicated work of East Aegean by Mikis Theodorakis
Concert with Maria Farantouri Philharmonie Berlin
joint concerts with Zülfü Livaneli and Jocelyn B. Smith in Bodrum (Turkey)
Classic Open Air with the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Jocelyn B. Smith. Conductor Stefan Dieterich
China tour with Ensemble Linktogether, workshops, master classes
Requiem premiere Bremen St. Stephani e.g. with Carolin Masur, Hagen Matzeit, children of the Komische Oper, Gert Anklam, Volker Schlott, Anne Christin Black, HH Lorenz, Tim Gunther, Pago Balke
CD Release Solo CD “Klavieraum” Peregrina
CD Release “P & H” Dahm and Peter Henning Schmiedt
Beyaz TV show in Turkey with Zulfu Livaneli and Jocelyn B. Smith
Concert with saxophone Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussein, tabla, Eric Harland, drums, and Mary Farantouri in Athens
Christmas concerts with Tomoko Masur, Koko Taylor, Sylvain Fournier
2008
Georg Kreisler program Pago Balke / Peter Dahm CD release “Wer braucht Humor?”
Concerts with Soloists of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Concerts in Athens with Maria Farantouri in Meagrou Musikis works by Mikis Theodorakis
TV documentary for ERT Greece in Barcelona, Spain on cooperation by Maria del Mar Bonet with Maria Farantouri
Concerts with Jocelyn B. Smith and Zülfü Livaneli in Nuremberg on the occasion of the German / turkish film festivals and in Antalya / Turkey
World Premiere of “East of the Aegean” Henning Schmiedt and Jens Naumilkat in Berlin
Recording of the “Goldberg Variations” as the soundtrack for the Ship of light-DVD by Gert Hof
Concerts in the ancient theater of Epidaurus Farantouri with Maria Farantouri and George Lazaridis
Concerts with Jocelyn B. Smith and Zülfü Livaneli in Bodrum, Istanbul, Antalya and many cities in Germany on the occasion of the publication of the novel “bliss”
Greek Rhapsodies concerts with the Philharmonic Orchestra Volkswagen, Zülfü Livaneli, Maria Farantouri in Cologne and Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Hans Ulrich Kolff
Concerts with the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester
Conductor Leo Hussain, Berlin Philharmonic
New Age Rhapsody Livaneli
Halil Karaduman soloists, Nuri Karademirli, Henning Schmiedt
Berlin Paul’s Church performance of “Requiem”
Carolin Masur, Hagen Matzeit, children of the Komische Oper, Volker Schlott, Wu Wei, Sabine Vogel, Ann Katrin Schwarz, HDLorenz, Tim Günther, Henning Schmiedt, recitation Pago Balke Johann Heinrich Radeloff
2009
Concerts with the Symphony Orchestra in Izmir Izmir, Rosenheim
Conductor, Hansjörg Schellenberger
New Age Rhapsody Livaneli
Halil Karaduman soloists, Henning Schmiedt
Thessaloniki, Greece – Homage to Mikis Theodorakis. Maria Farantouri interprets songs from the cycles: Odyssey, A Hostage, The Ballad of Mauthausen and Farantouri Cycle. Dionyssis Tsaknis is interpreting the cycle with Maria Farantouri A Hostage.
Musical Director Henning SchmiedtHomage to Yannis Ritsos. Maria Farantouri and George Dalaras interpret Mikis Theodorakis’s cycle songs, based on Ritsos poetry, Epitaphios, Romiossini and 18 Little Songs For My Bitter Homeland.
Piano Henning Schmiedt
Concert with Zülfü Livaneli und Ensemble RIAS Jugendorchester
Duo Concerts with Peter Dahm
Concerts with Pago Balke and Peter Dahm “heute Pago”
Concerts with Katrin Sass “Hallo Katrin”
2010
Solo Piano Tour “Wolken” in Japan Kyoto, Toyama, Tokio
Arrangments for the Movie “Veda” by Zülfü Livaneli
Concerts with Livaneli in Paris , Metz, Augsburg, Izmir
“Transition 2010”- artist in residence of Kulturwerkstatt Westend Bremen
Concert with Maria Farantouri in Antalya for Ismail Cem TV Award_
Concert with Maria Farantouri Ismail Cem TV Award in Antalya
Artist in Residence of Kulturwerkstatt Bremen
Transition 2010 Festival
- new concertprogramm Peter Dahm Henning Schmiedt “Sarki” songs by Livaneli for Saxofon and Piano
Concert with Petros Pandis and Maria Frantouri for 85. birthday of Theodorakis
Organ Solo concert with works by and for Theodorakis
2011
concerts with Zülfü Livaneli in Prague und New York – Summerstage Central Park with NY Gypsy Allstars, Al di Meola
concerts with Maria Farantouri in Bruxelles, Zurich, Stuttgart
2012
concerts with Zülfü Livaneli and New York Gypsy Allstars in U.S/Canada New York, Washington, Chicago, Toronto
Japan Tournee Solo Piano – 11 concerts in Tokio, Kyoto, Sendai, Fukuoka
Opening concert of Deutsch Türkischen Filmfestivals in Dortmund with Zülfü Livaneli
2013
CD “Schnee” Solo Piano flau records Tokio
Concerts in London, Istanbul with Zülfü Livaneli
CD Production “ Königskinder” for Katrin Sass
Concerts with Maria Farantouri in Antwerpen, Brugge, Luxemburg, Munich
Eternal day- Rumi Projekt by Zülfü Livaneli arranged and produced by Henning Schmiedt
with Romy Kamerun / Burcu Karadag / Uli Beckerhoff
2014
Japan Tournee Solo Piano – Konzerte u.a in Tokio, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kobe
Concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, Paris, Zurich, Berlin with Zülfü Livaneli
Eternal day-
Opening concert for the International Istanbul Jazz Festival with the Rumi Suite Eternal Day by Zülfü Livaneli arranged by Henning Schmiedt and performed by Henning Schmiedt Ensemble with Romy Kamerun Burcu Karadag
Concerts in Sydney und Melbourne mit Zülfü Livaneli
2015
Erman Imayan and Henning Schmiedt perform Homage to Gomidas by Zülfü Livaneli in the Istanbul Concert In Memoriam 24 Nisan
CD Walzer Solo Piano flau records Tokyo
Concerts Katrin Sass
concert with Zülfü Livaneli and Maria Farantouri on the Green line of Nicosia/Cyprus
Solo Piano Tour Japan, Piano Era Festival Tokyo
Europe Tour with Maria Farantouri Helsinki, Berlin, Amsterdam, Zürich
Mediterranian concert for Peace in Grand Dome of United Nations in Geneva with Maria Farantouri, Maria del Mar Bonet
Musical director for the tribute concert for Zülfü Livanelis 70. birthday Bremen Sendesaal
Concert with Eskisehir Symphony Orchestra works by Z. Livaneli
Piano Cello Recital with Erman Imayhan in London
Istanbul Symposium honoring Zülfü Livanelis 50 year in art
2017
Berlinale concert Katrin Sass
Recital Erman Imayhan Cello und Henning Schmiedt Piano
Nuremberg / Deutsch Türkisches Film Festival Opening Ceremony
European Tour with Maria Farantouri
Opening ceremony Livaneli Cultural Center Ankara
new album Schöneweide –
Japan Tour Solo Piano 19 Concerts
2018
European Tour with Maria Farantouri
Concert with Maria Farantouri honouring Mikis Theodorakis at Salzburg University
Symphonic and chamberconcerts with Zülfü Livaneli in Turkey/Germany
Concerts with Katrin Sass
Cello /Piano Recital with Anja Lechner
2019
Opening concert of the Hellas Film Box Festival
Concerts in Korea at DMZ Peace Festival with Maria Farantouri
Single “Sitano” (flau 2019)
Solo Piano Album Klavierraum, später (flau,2019)
Album with Marie Seferian under the moniker NOUS (flau 2019)
Single with Tara Nome Doyle (flau 2019)
Album “Klavierraum- später” (flau)
2020
Tour with Maria Farantouri/Asaf Kachouli
Album “Schlafen” (flau)