Jon Schmidt: Talented Mormon Pianist

By Roy

Jon Schmidt is a very talented and gifted Mormon pianist, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All of Me, Waterfall, To the Summit, and Love Story meets Viva la Vida (Taylor Swift Remix) are some of his impressive and very famous compositions, and this man has united fans of classical piano music and modern piano music lovers. He describes his style as “New Age Classical,” because it has pop elements of hook and melody. He is very well known for his treatment of harmony, counterpoint, and rhythm.

Schmidt is an American Mormon pianist. He was born to German immigrants who acquainted him with the works of such composers as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. He began songwriting at age 11. As of 2012, he has released eight albums and seven piano books containing transcriptions of original arrangements.

Schmidt’s arrangement for piano and cello of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”, which is called “Love Story meets Viva La Vida” has more than 2.04 million hits on YouTube. Many of his avid fans have even post videos for YouTube emulating his styles. He currently works on a project with cellist Steven Sharp Nelson called “The Piano Guys,” which has proved quite popular. Some of Jon Schmidt’s influences are Mannheim Steamroller, Billy Joel, and Beethoven. Schmidt has also worked with Peter Breinholt for Especially for Youth. In the following video, the Piano Guys combine with Mormon Hip-Hop violinist, Lindsey Stirling for a rendition of Mission Impossible:

His works include:

• “Hits Volume 1,” 2011
Michael Meets Mozart
Moonlight
Without You
The Cello Song
Rolling in the Deep
Cello Wars (Radio Edit)
O Fortuna
Bring Him Home
Charlie Brown Medley
Rock Meets Rachmaninoff
All of Me

• “Hits Volume 1 Limited Edition,” 2011
Michael Meets Mozart
Moonlight
Without You
The Cello Song
Rolling in the Deep
Cello Wars (Radio Edit)
O Fortuna
Bring Him Home
Charlie Brown Medley
Rock Meets Rachmaninoff
All of Me
More Than Words
Twinkle Lullaby

• “Bonus Tracks,” 2009, JS Productions
Love Story meets Viva la Vida (Taylor Swift Remix)
Long Long Ago (Piano/Cello)
Jessica’s Theme (from The Man from Snowy River)
Road Trip
8:42 at Red Rock Canyon (Verbal Intro)
8:42 at Red Rock Canyon
All of Me (Sut’s Fav.) Live
Dumb Song Live
Peanuts Medley Live (Linus & Lucy, Track Meet – Vince Guaraldi Cover)
Death of Dumbledore
Thank You (For the Heroes)
The Fishing Stream
ROCKmaninoff (Prelude in C-sharp minor – Rachmaninoff)

•” Hymns Without Words,” 2006, JS Productions
For the Beauty of the Earth
Renaissance Hymn (Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise / Saints Behold How Great Jehovah)
Baptism Hymn
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
Our Savior’s Love
Onward Christian Soldiers
Hymn of Nature (All Creatures of Our God and King)
Funeral Hymn (Jesus the Very Thought / Tribute)
That Easter Morn
O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
Behold the Wounds in Jesus’ Hands

• “Winter Serenade,” 2004, JS Productions
In The Bleak Midwinter
Pachelbel meets U2
North Pole Express (Ding Dong Merrily On High)
Wexford Carol
Still, Still, Still
First Run
Winter Serenade (Sussex Carol)
Deep Winter (Prelude in B-flat minor)
Last Lullaby (Thomas’ Song)
I Will

• “To The Summit,” 2000, JS Productions
Prelude (My Little Girl)
Rush Hour on the Escalante
To the Summit
Night Song
Game Day (Highland Games)
Air on the “F” String
Our Song
I Do
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Sacred Ground

• “Jon Schmidt Christmas,” 1997, Shadow Mountain
Were you There?
Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella
Christmas Medley
Stars Were Gleaming
I Saw Three Ships
Star Carol
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Christmas Morning
Süsser de Glocken
Christmas Hymn
Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming
Behold and See
Gaelic Blessing
Silent Night

•” Day in the Sunset,” 1994, Aubergine Records
By Moonlight
Soaring
Morning Light
Care Free
Going Home
Solace
Christopher’s Song
Longing
Second Variation
Big Sky Sunset
Walk in the Woods, 1993, Aubergine Records

•” Good Times (Class Of ’84)”
Waterfall
Passages
Winter Wind
Walk In The Woods
Hymn of Spring
Bells of Freedom
Good Day
Tribute (Rose-Anne’s Song)
Cherished Moments

•” August End,” 1991, Aubergine Records
Heart of a Child
Homecoming
Nativity
First Love
Ridin’ West
August End
Piece Of The Storm
All Of Me
Song Of The Ocean
Bedtime Story

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes called the Mormon Church or LDS Church, Schmidt has demonstrated his faith by creating clean music and religious music. One of his CDs is a collection of hymns without words.

He is currently residing in Bountiful, Utah with his wife Michelle and their five children.