Michael Hoenig

Michael Hoenig (born January 4, 1952 in Hamburg) is a German composer who has composed music for several movies and games, in addition to two solo albums. In 1996, he was nominated for an Emmy award (best theme song) for his work on the short-lived sci-fi series Dark Skies.

Early career

As the editor of the underground magazine LOVE in the late sixties, Hoenig was part of the burgeoning progressive rock scene in Berlin, which fostered bands like Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel and Agitation Free. His interest in avant-garde music, sound generators and prepared tapes caught the eye of Michael Guenther, the bassist of Agitation Free, and he joined the band in February, 1971. In March 1975, Hoenig was hired to replace Peter Baumann in Tangerine Dream for an Australian tour and BBC recorded London Royal Albert Hall concert, and subsequently left Agitation Free, which broke up shortly after. Baumann rejoined Tangerine Dream soon after, and Hoenig went on to collaborate with Klaus Schulze on the short-lived project, Timewind. In 1976 he had a brief collaboration with Manuel Göttsching of Ash Ra Tempel; a recording of one of the sessions was released in 1995 under the title "Early Water". In 1977, he released his first solo album, the highly acclaimed Berlin School classic Departure from the Northern Wasteland, and left for Los Angeles shortly after it was released.

Film scores/Later career

Hoenig owns a recording studio in Los Angeles and through his company Metamusic Productions, he has composed the scores for several movies (see filmography below) and television shows. In addition to this, he has composed music for the extremely popular Baldur's Gate PC games by Bioware. In 1987, Hoenig released his second solo album, Xcept One. The track Bones on the Beach from the Xcept One album was installed in the roller coaster CHAOS at Opryland making the attraction the first roller coaster to be synced to music. In 1998 the roller coaster was removed from Opryland. The track Bones on the Beach has also been used in the similar roller coaster Revolution at Bobbejaanland, a family park in Lichtaart, Belgium since 2004. In 2008 the roller coaster was redecorated and renamed to Evolution. Another soundtrack was used until 26th August 2011, but since 27th August 2011 Bones on the Beach is being used again.

Albums

• Departure from the Northern Wasteland (1977)
• Xcept One (1987)
• The Blob (1988 film) (1988) Soundtrack
• Dark Skies (2007 tv) (1988) Soundtrack

with Tangerine Dream

• Bootleg Box Set Vol 1 (2003) includes full Royal Albert Hall 1975 concert

with Manuel Gottsching

• Early Water (1997) Recorded 1976

Producer

• Lovely Thunder - Harold Budd (1986)

Filmography

• Dracula 3000 (2004)
• The Contaminated Man (2000)
• After Alice (1999)
• Her Costly Affair (1996)
• Thrill (1996)
• Above Suspicion (1995)
• Terminal Justice (1995)
• Search for Grace (1994)
• Eyes of Terror (1994)
• Visions of Murder (1993)
• The Amy Fisher Story (1993)
• The Last of the Finest (1990)
• Class of 1999 (1990)
• I, Madman (1989)
• The Blob (1988)
• The Gate (1987)
• Shattered Spirits (1987)
• The Wraith (1987)
• 9½ Weeks (1986) (additional music)
• Silent Witness (1985)
• Night Patrol (1984)
• Deadly Encounter (1982)
• Koyaanisqatsi (1982) (additional music)

TV series

• The District (2000–2004)
• Strange World (1999)
• Dark Skies (1996–1997)
• Max Headroom (1987–1988)

Games

• Baldur's Gate (1998)
• Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast (1999)
• Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn (2000)

External links

• Michael Hoenig at the Internet Movie Database
• Artist profile at OverClocked ReMix
• Departure From The Northern Wasteland review

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Name	Hoenig, Michael
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Date of birth	January 4, 1952
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