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In 2005 I started hanging out on a Harry Potter forum with many active members from around the world and all sorts of off-topic discussion. Potter seemed like it was pretty tangential but that place whittled down pretty fast after the last book in 2007...by the last movie in 2011 I had moved over to a private forum with about 10 friends. It still exists, last post there was in November. I don't really visit there anymore but I do keep in touch with one person pretty regularly via text. She hasn't gotten around to Cursed Child or Fantastic Beasts by the way. The reality is that we are all different people from different places at different stages of our lives, with not actually that many (any?) common interests between the entire lot of us except for an enormous amount of passion for this site's namesake. Even our interests in film music differ wildly aside from the old or dead guys. Some of us hardly even follow current film music at all aside from Williams and not all of us buy every LLL set or compilation that comes out. The one thing that ties all of us together is the promise of new John Williams music. I think we are all much more willing to tolerate those who we have nothing else in common with -- even when those disagreements get aggressive -- because in the back of our minds we know that person is here for John Williams. That's what is sort of beautiful about it. When there is no more new John Williams music, it'll be different. There's only so much we can really say all at once about his existing output. Even now we've run in circles repeating discussions. There are groups of people here who actually do have much in common with each other and have formed real lasting friendships and those will continue, but who's to say that it will remain on this board instead of a free private forum where they don't have to be anonymous? Would they always continue airing their opinions and grievances on a public forum under an avatar and screenname? I dunno. There might not be enough donations after awhile to keep this thing going, but maybe the site will take a new shape and flourish. That would be nice to see. Most of us will eventually splinter off, move on to other communities and interests. Just how it goes...how many people did you keep in touch with after graduating school when there was suddenly no reason for you to go back and see those people in that building every day? But you still remember many of those people from your class. I think it's okay.

I watched the documentary several days ago. I really loved it. Sure it told all the same old stories, but they do always add a couple little details that I hadn't heard before. Plus I just love seeing JW and Spielberg rave about one another. Perhaps because it's a departure from all the cynicism of politics and such. Just so optimistic, joyful, and wonderful to see two vibrant personalities like that together, having a good time. I love the sense of place Bouzareau establishes right from the start with the opening shots of Royce Hall. It's really the next best thing to actually being there for those two days. It's so rare to get this much high quality video of JW conducting. Perhaps my only complaint would be that I wish we'd gotten to see him conduct longer bits of the works. However, I'm still very glad we got this and I thought it was very well produced. Didn't want it to end! In terms of the CDs, I've heard assorted bits of the first two in the past but never owned them, so I'm listening to them straight through right now. I'd never ever heard Always, for example, so it was good I was introduced to that, and there were several other scores that I had barely heard that I'm getting re-introduced to. It's great. A mix between discovery and a lovely walk down memory lane of some of my early JW favorites. A moment I really fell in love with while listening was this (among others in the piece!), from a piece I don't believe I'd ever heard before: Talk about kickass! (actually, this is Williams, right? - I did notice that some excerpts used aren't him, such as the Rakes of Mallow and Hooray for Hollywood) I love "The Adventures of Mutt" by the way. So fun and energetic, even at this album's tempo.

I understand your ideals bellamy, and would agree that our common love for Williams is what brought us together. Heck, I only stumbled onto this forum in search for news and updates about Tintin and War Horse. But I think our community has evolved beyond that. I, personally, no longer come here to read about the latest SW updates or surprise projects Williams signs onto. Those are bonus delights for me. Rather, I come here to discuss my favourite scores, or my favourite Williams passages, get recommendations from fellow film score fans about works I've never heard before, learn new ways to look at old things and have some fun banter in silly threads while I'm at it. JWFan's function, at least in my eyes, has gone far beyond providing updates about the latest from Williams. It's more of a hub to share ideas, perspectives and learn from each other. I'm not talking about the Trump threads, but rather the ones that ask for more insightful analysis or communication of ideas in regards to all forms of music, film and art in general. Yes, we are all tied together by our mutual love for Williams. But that's independent of the fact that he's still writing. I mean, when you think about it, many of the older posters here don't really discuss or even like Williams' latest efforts other than out of the sheer obligation and loyalty to him. And once he's passed, there's no need for that love to go anywhere. We all still discuss and talk about the likes of Horner and Goldsmith with great fondness here. It will be no different with Williams. Granted I'm sure things will be rather different for a while once the worst has happened, but I'm confident the forum will be back to its usual form afterward.

Just saw a flash announcement on my smart phone that the Wondercon Convention will showcase Vinyl reissues of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK -Gerhardt album, and THE EIGER SANCTION. Will post more details shortly. UPDATE: Ok I think I found it. Its some feedback at the Varese Wondercon Twitter announcement, about which Titles you would like to see on VINYL. So somebody mentioned EMPIRE and EIGER as a wish list. So since I read that very quickly and couldn't find the post. Im new to Twitter and dont use it enough to properly understand it. So it was a false alarm. Sorry, my bad. But it would be cool to see these Williams titles on Vinyl. I for one love the Gerhradt recording and I like the artwork. P.S. I have changed the Topic text as it was misleading.

There's few things more grating that hearing "normal" people talk about film music.

Well, exactly. It's the same thing that started the "M. Night Shyamalan is the new Steven Spielberg" trend after The Sixth Sense. Eventually these guys either carve out their own identity or they fade away. But there's never been a "new _______" who stayed that way and left any sort of legacy. The kinda weird issue with Giacchino is that he was dubbed "the new John Williams" 15-20 years ago as an up-and-comer and we're still hearing about it even though he's an established 50 year old professional and a quite successful one....I mean, it's kinda condescending to him too at this point, but he's brought it on himself by riding on the back of so much retro stuff and inviting comparisons to so many great composers. First Barry, then Jerry, Jerry again, Johnny, Johnny again. Fuck's sake, he can never be anything but "the new John Williams" if this is how he's gonna spend the rest of his career. I doubt he really wants that either. When it comes to Star Wars specifically, I don't know why there has to be a "next John Williams" anyway when there is no such talk of a "next George Lucas." The whole excitement right now should be in opening up the playground. Williams's role in Star Wars, like Lucas's, is completely singular, so how could anybody hope to replicate it? Why is there this assumption that just because Williams has had sole authorship over the music up to this point (because duh!) that the franchise is obliged to go to a new permanent boy king? "The passing of the baton!" It's so arbitrary. I get that right now it's mostly just fretting about the potential need for a sub on Episode 9 (although judging by a lot of comments I've seen, most people seem to think Williams is Mozart at the end of Amadeus, dictating from his sick bed) but just the idea that there has to be a new "official" Star Wars guy simply because John Williams is that for his own damn creation? That's pretty boring. Giacchino is not that special, neither is Desplat, nor JNH, nor anybody else who might take a crack. Nobody is going to be able to just pick up wherever Williams leaves off. They are ALL starting from scratch in their own voice, and really less than that because his shadow looms so large. The truly successful ones will find a way to escape being perceived as the new John Williams because their work will contribute something vital on its own terms, rendering the label irrelevant. Good luck to them.

I get Jyn's theme stuck in my head pretty often. He may well be Williams' successor. Who else is in the running? But that in no way means he is Williams' replacement.

Until the guys up high release every take ever recorded from every single score Williams composed music for, until they record every single piece of music JW penned in his life in digital format (yes, that includes his Symphony No.1), until every JW piece has its sheet music published, until every JW film, TV series and travelogue gets a LtP concert arranged in every major and minor city in the world, and until we know the damn year Williams was enlisted in the USAF, this forum shall still have a purpose to exist. The JWFAN era is only just beginning!

Like Rose's heart, JWfan will go on.

I think you guys are overestimating the effect Williams' death will have on the population of JWFan. You'll basically be losing out on passing visitors who come for updates about the latest score, but other than that, much will remain the same. You guys make it sound like we only discuss new Williams music, when in truth, about 75% of the discussion here has nothing to do with Williams at all!

Jerry Goldsmith is dead now for over 12 years and his works are still regularily discussed. That's because he's a genius and his timeless works are still being discovered by new fans to broaden his fandom. Another reason is this tons of expansions that have been released over the last years and the fans' urge to get more of these expansions. John Williams is a genius as well, so there will always be something to talk about. Moreover, once he does not compose any more (whatever the reason will be), there will still be loads of expansions which are even more wanted than Jerry's. So - yes, this community will last long after John Williams!

He always did like that mausoleum. Put him in it.

Of course it will go on, what a silly question. Discussing his upcoming scores and concerts is only one small aspect of discussing his entire body of work, one is only one small aspect of all things discussed here anyway. /thread

The forum on Jerry Goldsmith Online says its last post was yesterday. That's how it'll be here once John Williams has gone. It'll be Stefan, talking to himself.

It's a tricky one, to be sure. Part of me may not want to continue, but JW's death needn't mean the death of JWfan. Sure, we'll be devastated, and I can't imagine people wanting to post much about "trivial things", for a while, but life goes on, and people get back to normal. JGonline is still going, almost 13 years after his death, and there will be posthumous JW music releases, and plenty of other topics to discuss, so I think it will continue. What form it will continue in, however, is anyone's guess.

The only real offense that the Rogue One score was guilty of was being unmemorable.

I agree. Getting closer and closer to the point where I will have to say that I've beena very active member on JWfan for half my lifetime. Joined when I was late 22 or early 23, now I'm 39. So if this place would cease to exist it would actually be the end of an era for me. To be perfectly honest this place can close down one second after I breathe my last breath as far as I'm concerned. But I have specified in my will that I wish to be cremated on a pyre of A4's with all my posts printed out.

I hope so. I aim to discuss obscure Williams from yesteryear throughout my own lifespan.

My mature and well-thought-out response.

Have you not seen the track list for his score to 'The Light Between Oceans?' Music Composed by Alexandre Desplat 1. Letters 2. Tom 3. Jyn Erso takes flight 4. The Dinghy 5. Isabel 6. In God’s Hands 7. Reused Rogue One [No.128] 8. To Resent 9. Janus 10. A Wonderful Father 11. Suck it Disney 12. Path of Light 13. The Return 14. Hannah Roennfeldt 15. Still Your Husband 16. Yeah This Is From Rogue One Too 17. Sue Me 18. To Be Loved 19. The Light Between Oceans

His turtleneck unboxing videos are legendary!

There are so many cool moments in this score:

We all have our pet threads that we like to check but they're different for each of us and it doesn't mean everybody will continue to visit the forum just for the off-topic discussion. The really wonderful thing that we all have in common is that the #1 best thing about JWFan is sharing the release of a new John Williams score together, yes? Am I wrong about that? That's what I love and I check the JW board every day for news on his projects. There's nothing else that brings the whole community so close....we are the only people in the world who love John Williams so fucking much that we just couldn't find anybody within arm's length who could talk about him on our level, so we went online. I love this place, I like reading everybody's thoughts on here on various things, but the thing that gets me really excited to hear from each and every member, uniquely, is what they think about the new score. When John Williams is finally done writing music for any reason, it will leave a huge hole in my life, I am sure of that. And I know that for awhile I am going to rely on this board more than ever, because you are the only people who will understand. We're all going to count on each other for that. The board will keep its usual activity for awhile after the final Williams score but on a day to day level, I just know how tedious it can honestly be when a forum gets to like 10 posts a day and the member you would have most wanted to hear from on a recent news item hasn't been around in a year. Most people are probably not going to continue dropping in like clockwork to post at length about Trump's latest soundbite or which score they happened to listen to for the fiftieth time. Again, aside from a handful of people who really connect outside of Williams, I dunno if we will all gather around every day. We'll always have JW, but we're going to have our own lives and relationships to maintain without constantly checking on JWFan to say hi!

Goo goob a joob! Expert, textpert, choking smokers, don't you think the joker laughs at you?

I am the walrus.

There's no such piece as "Yub Nub a.k.a. Ewok Celebration". The title of the piece is "Ewok Celebration", and it was composed by John Williams. My favorite Williams song is probably "Star of Bethlehem", followed by "Nice to be Around".

I feel like I should be discussing this release more, I'm listening to it at least 3 times a day still, but I don't really have much to say beyond "Wonderful!" which gets boring after a while.

Could also be that since the interview mainly dealt with the new recording which didn't feature Schindler's List that anecdote didn't come up. Oh who am I kidding?! It was cut out!

.

Cool.

@Drax's pick in the poll has a new trailer

My favorites are "The Long Goodbye", "How Can I Remember?" and "If We Were in Love". It must be noted though that several of the songs he did in his career weren't purposefully written as songs, but actually more like added lyrics to the main theme/melody of the film. The soloist at the premiere was Cynthia Haymon-Coleman. The piece was initially planned to be performed by Kathleen Battle, but apparentyl she bailed out as the songs were more difficult than she was expecting. Keith Lockhart conducted selections from the song cycle at Tanglewood several times, from what I gather. Williams planned to record it with the Pops at one point during the late 90s (I seem to remember that Sony even announced it), but the album was apparently aborted late in the game.

My feeling is that once Williams passes, we won't generate as many new members, so over time it'll become a place where just the old crew continues to come to chat. Eventually that will dissipate as we age and move into different places in our lives. Hopefully we can keep it interesting for long time to come, though.

I can barely maintain interest these days.

Fixed!

Godzilla - Desplat

Also those car horns as JW himself says in the Collector's Edition interview. They recorded them at different pitches and added them in.

I love the new Album!

If there's one thing that's more tiring than the comparison of Giacchino to Williams, it's the complaining about comparing Giacchino to Williams.

No, I do not think that Mr. G or anyone else is going to get their "You are now Officially John Williams" ticket punched. But you could argue that Williams was a successor to Herrmann and Korngold. Someone will be compared to Williams. Especially when he or she is writing Williams sequels.

Better that than an unboxing-video channel! I might get off that way, whereas you watch an unboxing video and when it ends you definitely have nothing.

Graham Piro, author of the article:

I don't know anyone who actually does, but content providers love to write articles about the idea!

I think you should create a new thread about the vibraphonist.

I see what you did there!

Even if it isn't a song, there's a better way of pointing it out than the way it typically gets done around here.

This is really getting on my tits. "Not song" this, "not song" that. Who the hell cares? The guy joined 11 hours ago, so can we cut him some slack, for f**k's sake? What are we, the song police?! Cues are often referred to a songs. We should be celebrating a new member, not criticizing them right out of the gate. As to what synthesizer it is; find out when it was recorded (1991?) then research what synths were popular, back then (DX7, maybe?).

The dramatic parts of the film were scored apty. The rest of the film is not truly dark, there is a lot of humor