Johannes Schmoelling was born in November 1950 in Lohne, Oldenburg. At the age of eight he started to take piano
lessons and at the age of twelve he took his first steps at playing on a church organ. The fantastic sound of
this majestic instrument shaped him more during the following years, moreso than playing the piano. At the age
of fourteen he was already organist in a Catholic church in Delmenhorst.
After completing his school leaving examination in 1970 in Wilhelmshaven, he was very interested in the job of
sound engineer, which would allow for the perfect combination of his musical education with the technical components
associated with that discipline. In autumn 1972 he started to study sound engineering at the "Hochschule der Künste"
(college of arts) in Berlin.
After his study in 1978 he kept busy with electronics. A logical step caused also by his intensive working on the organ.
A job as sound engineer for theatre at the "Schaubühne am Halleschen Ufer" in Berlin followed. There he learned to
handle noises, sounds, room installations and lighting. He still uses this knowledge in his music.
In the middle of 1979 he was engaged by Edgar Froese directly at the theatre. Edgar Froese – founder of the electronic
band TANGERINE DREAM – endeavoured to reform the band again in the classic lineup of three keyboard players.
Schmoelling stayed with TANGERINE DREAM until 1985.
Apart from tours around the globe, several studio- and live-albums developed, as well as soundtracks for movies from
American studios (e.g. Thief – directed by Michael Mann, Legend – directed by Ridley Scott) and German TV stations
(e.g. Tatort).
With the album "Wuivend Riet" on the Erdenklang label, Schmoelling started his solo carrier in 1986.
In 1988 his second album "The Zoo Of Tranquillity" was released on Theta/ Polygram in London. In 1990 his third album
"White Out" followed on Polydor in Hamburg.
Besides the studio works in his own "Riet-Studio" in Berlin-Kreuzberg, several radio-plays for the German ARD-radio
stations came into being, mostly together with the author Martin Burckhardt.
In 1990 Schmoelling composed the first of three works for the "Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz" for the play
"Mütter und Söhne" (mothers and sons) written by Javier Tomeo. In 1992 followed the music for the play
"Der Ohrenmaschinist" (the ear mechanic) by Gerd Jonke and in 1995 the music for the play "Kunst" (art) by Jasmina Reza.
This successful play documents the prolific cooperation between the director Felix Prader and Johannes Schmoelling.
Since 1993 compositions for TV-movies by the director Konrad Sabrautzky came into being, among others "Zu Treuen
Händen" (to loyal hands) by the ZDF (second German TV-station) which got the "Grimme Preis 1996" and the
ZDF-crime series "Ein starkes Team" (a strong team) with Maja Maranow and Florian Martens.
In 1995 the fourth studio album "Lieder Ohne Worte - Songs No Words" was released, again on the Erdenklang label and
in 1998 the album "The Zoo Of Tranquillity", which was deleted for a long time, followed in an edited version.
In 2000 the cooperation with the director Felix Prader continued in the production of "Das Atelier" by Jean-Claude
Grumberg at the "Renaissance-Theater" in Berlin. In 2001 the music for Jasmina Reza’s "Drei Mal Leben"
(three times life) came into being at the same theatre, again produced by Felix Prader.
In the year 2000, Johannes Schmoelling succeeded in founding his own record label, a long time ambition, which came true.
For the initial release on Viktoriapark Records (the name of this new label) the album "White Out", which had been
deleted for 10 years, was released. Added as a bonus track to the 1990-version was a remix by the young artists
Ulrich Schnauss and Robert Wässer.
In December 2002 the second album on Johannes’s own label followed: the radio play "Laufen" (walking) by author Dirk Josczok,
with music by Johannes Schmoelling.
During 2003 the album "Recycle Or Die" evolved, and was released exactly on Johannes’s birthday, November 9th, again on
Viktoriapark Records.
In 2004 the attempt to release radio-plays in addition to standard album music, led to the double-CD-production
"Weltmärchen - Weltmusik" (world fairies – world music), a collaboration with the author and artist Hubertus
von Puttkamer.
In autumn 2005, Schmoelling started to work on a new, highly anticipated album, which, although it was considered to
be overdue, was much sought after following the success of the "Recycle Or Die" album. In August 2006, the fifth
release on Viktoriapark Records was released under the name "Instant City".
In 2007 the anthology "Images and Memory" followed, a compilation of tracks from 20 years solo-works, the years 1986 – 2006.
His latest release is another compilation album covering the time during his membership in Tangerine Dream with tracks composed and recorded but not used then: "Early Beginnings" (2008)
The tracks from the new album sounds great Johannes! Looking forward to this! Don`t forget to upload some tracks to us "Hungry Wolves" at Last.Fmhttp://www.last.fm/music/Johannes+Schmoelling , when the album is released! Cheers from Tangerman :-)
Listening to our music reminds me that I should simplify my own sounds. I really like the purity of your sonic textures and the presence of strong themes in your pieces.
Thanks for letting me enter in your friendship circle.
habe mir endlich mal die zeit nehmen können, die beiden teile des interviews anzuschauen. ganz große klasse ! dieses interview ist wirklich sehr interessant und informativ. schön, daß man auch mal einen einblick hinter die kulissen von tangerine dream zu einer zeit bekommt, wo diese band meines erachtens, personell mit froese, franke und dir am besten besetzt war. für mich ist und bleibt diese besetzung von 1979 - 1985 die beste, die tangerine dream jemals vorweisen konnte. bei mir selbst wurden beim betrachten dieser beiden interview - mittschnitte erinnerungen wach. es gab zu ddr - zeiten damals eigentlich für mich zwei alben, für die es sich lohnte, am damaligen polnischen informationszentrum in leipzig über zwei stunden lang anzustehen: das war zum einen die amiga - ausgabe " elektronik impressionen " ( das eigentliche " dig it " - album ) von klaus schulze und eben die hier gezeigte live - lp vom tangerine dream - konzert 1980 im damaligen ost - berlin. natürlich auch als amiga - ausgabe... ich konnte beide platten erwerben und war stolz, wie oskar. insofern war dieses interview auch amüsant für mich, wenn man bedenkt, mit welchen verrückten voraussetzungen ihr eigentlich in dieses konzert gestartet seid... sehr interessant auch das thema über eure filmmusik - produktionen. damals war ich 11 jahre alt, als ich anfang der achtziger den schimanski - tatort " das mädchen auf der treppe " im damaligen " westfernsehen " mit meinen eltern zusammen anschauen durfte. nur interessierte mich der tatort selbst weniger... was mich vielmehr damals fesselte, war eure musik zum film! ich war hin und weg von dem titelsong " white eagle " - diese melodie sollte sich für immer in meinen kopf bohren...<br/&
herzlichen dank, daß man schon vorab in das neue album hineinhören darf. die fünf previews klingen richtig klasse und vielversprechend ! ich denke, dein neues album ist wieder großartig. bin schon sehr gespannt !
lieber johannes, ich wünsche dir mit deinem neuen album viel erfolg und weiterhin alles gute für dich.
What I find incredible is that your profile has only been viewed by a little more than 21 thousand people. That is just sad. If only more folks could be introduced to your incredible musical talent. I'm doing my best trying to spread the word.
My best wishes to you and anyone you truly care about.
The Original and Teacher to many musicians by Example, of new music. Johannes influenced many composers today, like myself! thank you for all the Music, Textures, Dreams, and great Songs.
Original Songs and variety of Music Styles that I perform.
herzlichen dank für deine freundschaft. nach wie vor großartige musik, die du produzierst. mein größter favorit aber ist bis heute der song ZEIT - for stephan aus dem WUIVEND RIET - album. one of the best electronic tracks ever !!!
wünsche dir weiterhin alles gute und sende beste grüße nach berlin.
I want it now 
