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John Williams was performing with the Houston Symphony in the fall of 1983. I was unable to go to the concert, but I knew one of the trombonists and had a heads up on the rehearsal. I waited outside the Music Hall, spoke for a minute or two when he arrived, got the picture/autograph (ROTJ/Superman), and then went inside for the rehearsal. I don’t recall there being anyone else other than musicians (no security – I just sort of walked in). The rehearsal was enjoyable – I remember them running through Jubilee 350 (which I had never heard before) as well as Jabba’s theme. In 2013 he came back to Houston and I had an opportunity to have him autograph the picture – I think he was amused as we both had aged a little…

But the Prequels scores are great...!

The Children's Suite really is fantastic! It makes me wish that film composers, especially Williams, would be given some extra room to be able to write these suites that encapsulate the essence of the score in several themes. What makes this suite special IMO are the circumstances which afforded Williams time to write these pieces from a place he must've truly cared for - not just as music for music's sake, but music that could be educational and inspire listeners to explore the orchestral soundscape.

@Richard To him it probably carries a lot of meaning, a lot of responsibility and accomplishment. I know many actors do actually push themselves both physically and mentally more than the casual snide remark that they're an 'actor' could tell you. In interviews with Boyega he seems genuinely surprised and thankful to have the role he does in one of the biggest franchises. If you don't like the fact that actors are going to share these moments on social media then unfollow them and quit bitching!

And working 10 hours a day! Nowadays, he likes to compose max. 6 a day (I think he said such in an interview). So he’d need a little more time for these films, but he still writes extremely fast.

New hi-FI? Cool! What’s your setup? I also had the opportunity to (finally) listen to the first score of the box set - The Philosopher’s Stone. I have not been ashamed in the past to say that the HP repertoire isn’t one of my favorites in the JW catalogue. Thus I was only mildly enthused when the HP Box was announced. But having listened to the two discs, It sure grows on me. I am wondering why I don’t rotate some of these cues more frequently in my playlists? The C&C presentation is stellar, it really completes the experience, although I can see my self doing a curated playlist based on my favorite tracks within the near future. The Children’s Suite is glorious. What a treat! If these tracks had been the sole content of the OST, I’m sure it would have pissed a lot of people off, but - to me - the Suite really sums up the essence of the score: Each track here really serves its purpose. The music is mature, beautiful and a real tour de force of Williams’ talents. On to CoS!

The Book Thief by John Williams

Then why do you post on a John Williams forum? Do you only watch films scored by John Williams? Do you listen to non-film music? If so, why?

I'd say some scores do stand on their own as purely musical experiences.

Main title, right off the bat, boom, couple days off right there! He can start on a Wednesday!

Finally getting to listen to these on my new Hi-Fi system instead of using the PC. My living room seems to have been turned in to the recording stage and I'm loving it! Not sure my neighbours will agree though

Recently got my first scoring gig for an Indie WWII game on steam called Warfare 1944 (Not to be mistaken for the flashgame). It's got a bit of williams, korngold, and some michael kamen style mixed in. I'm working on some more tracks but this is the main theme

We must move quickly if the Jedi Order is to survive.

1968 - Heidi My Google Doc 1969 - The Reivers JWFan thread discussing the complete cue list 1969 - Goodbye, Mr. Chips Mike Matessino text interview by Neil Bulk on the FSM Edition, March 2006 (1) Mike Matessino text interview by Neil Bulk on the FSM Edition, March 2006 (2) 1972 - The Cowboys Score Restore videos by Holko 1972 - The Poseidon Adventure Mike Matessino audio interview by Maurizio Cashetto and Tim Burden on the La-La Land edition, December 2019 1974 - The Sugarland Express My Google Doc 1974 - Earthquake Mike Matessino audio interview by Maurizio Cashetto and Tim Burden on the La-La Land edition, December 2019 1974 - The Towering Inferno My Google Doc Mike Matessino audio interview by Maurizio Cashetto and Tim Burden on the La-La Land edition, December 2019 1975 - Jaws My Google Doc Tim Burden and John Takis discuss Jaws (July, 2012) Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 40th Anniversary Intrada Edition, November 2015 JWFan thread discussing the complete cue list Music synced to picture by Disco Stu 1977 - Star Wars My Google Doc Unused music restored to picture by Faleel 1977 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me, November 2017 (includes brief Close Encounters discussion) Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden for Cinematic Sound Radio on the 40th Anniversary La-La Land Edition, February 2018 Music synced to picture by Disco Stu 1978 - The Fury Tim Burden and John Takis discuss The Fury (March 2013) 1978 - Jaws 2 My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me on the Intrada Expanded Edition, November 2015 1978 - Superman: The Movie My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by Neil Bulk on the FSM Blue Box, March 2008 Mike Matessino audio interview by Soundcheck, June 2013 Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden for Cinematic Sound Radio, February 2018 (Includes brief Superman discussion) Mike Matessino audio interview by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden on the 40th Anniversary La-La Land edition, February 2019 (part 1) Mike Matessino audio interview by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden on the 40th Anniversary La-La Land edition, February 2019 (part 2) Mike Matessino text interview by Todd Gilchrist for Nerdist, June 2019 Score Restore videos by Faleel 1979 - Dracula My Google Doc Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden on the Varese Deluxe Edition, November 2018 Score restore videos by Holko 1979 - 1941 My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 2011 La-La Land Expanded Edition, September 2011 1980 - The Empire Strikes Back JWFan thread discussing the complete cue list Unused music restored to picture by Faleel 1981 - Raiders of the Lost Ark A VERY OLD Google Doc Unused music restored to picture by Faleel 1982 - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 35th Anniversary Edition by La-la Land Records, November 2017 Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden for Cinematic Sound Radio on the 35th Anniversary Edition by La-la Land Records, February 2018 Music synced to picture by Disco Stu 1983 - Return of the Jedi My Google Doc Unused music restored to picture by Faleel 1984 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom A VERY OLD Google Doc Unused music restored to picture by Faleel 1984 - The River My Google Doc Audio Interview by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden, May 2020 Score restore videos by Disco Stu 1986 - SpaceCamp My Google Doc 1987 - Empire of the Sun My Google Doc Mike Matessino JWFan article on the 2014 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition (1) Mike Matessino JWFan article on the 2014 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition (2) Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden, June 2014 Score restore videos by Holko 1989 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade My Google Doc 1989 - Always My Google Doc 1989 - Born on the Fourth of July My Google Doc 1990 - Stanley & Iris My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 2017 Varese Deluxe Edition, November 2017 1990 - Home Alone Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 2015 25th Anniversary Edition by La-La Land Records, November 2015 Score Restore videos by Holko 1991 - Hook Didier C. Deutsch text interview by me on the 2012 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition, March 2012 Didier C. Deutsch text interview by Olivier Soude on the 2012 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition, March 2012 Tim Burden interviews MV Gerhard and Matt Verboys on the LLL edition (March 2012) JWFan thread discussing the complete cue list 1991 - JFK My Google Doc 1992 - Far and Away My Google Doc Audio Interview by Maurizio Caschetto and Tim Burden, May 2020 1992 - Home Alone 2: Lost In New York My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by 'Kevin McCallister' on the Varese Deluxe Edition, February 2003 Score Restore videos by Holko 1993 - Jurassic Park My Google Doc Mike Matessino audio interview by The Jurassic Park Podcast on the 2016 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition, December 2016 Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 2016 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition, November 2017 Music synced to picture by Mr. Breathmask JWFan thread discussing the complete cue list 1993 - Schindler's List My Google Doc 1995 - Sabrina My Google Doc 1997 - Rosewood My Google Doc 1997 - The Lost World: Jurassic Park My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 2016 La-La Land Expanded Edition, November 2017 Music restored to picture by Mr. Breathmask JWFan thread discussing the complete cue list Mike Matessino and me on the Legacy of John Williams for the 2023 reissue 1997 - Amistad My Google Doc Mike Matessino and me on the Legacy of John Williams for the 2022 expansion 2001 - A.I. Artificial Intelligence My Google Doc Mike Matessino text interview by me on the 2015 La-La Land Records Expanded Edition, June 2015 Score Restore videos by Holko 2001 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone My Google Doc Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden on on the La-La Land edition, November 2018 Score restore videos by Holko 2002 - Attack of the Clones My Google Doc 2002 - Minority Report My Google Doc Score restore videos by Chewy 2002 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets My Google Doc Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden on on the La-La Land edition, December 2018 Score restore videos by Holko 2004 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban My Google Doc Mike Matessino audio interview by Tim Burden on on the La-La Land edition, December 2018 Score restore videos by ragoz350 2004 - The Terminal My Google Doc 2005 - War of the Worlds My Google Doc 2005 - Memoirs of a Geisha My Google Doc 2008 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull My Google Doc 2011 - War Horse My Google Doc 2012 - Lincoln My Google Doc 2013 - The Book Thief My Google Doc 2015 - Star Wars: The Force Awakens My Google Doc 2017 - The Post My Google Doc Score restore videos by Disco Stu 2019 - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker My Google Doc 2022 - The Fabelmans My Google Doc 2023 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny My Google Doc Miscellanea Future Proofing The Music of John Williams - Tim Burden interviews Mike Matessino (June 2018) Producing Soundtrack Albums: an Interview with Mike Matessino (part I) - David Collins interviews Mike Matessino (November 2018) Producing Soundtrack Albums: an Interview with Mike Matessino (part II) - David Collins interviews Mike Matessino (December 2018)

How did JW write TESB in a few weeks without today's technology?

Violin Concerto/Flute Concerto by John Williams Karol

He didn't work on TFA and TLJ for a year non-stop. JW scored the film in sections, and did loads of revisions as the film edit progressed. 6 months for a single film is still a hell of a lot of time

I usually try to watch the film for context after a handful of listens, if it's rated well enough - and I haven't delved into scores for stinkers much yet. But Memoirs of a Geisha is one instance where I absolutely don't feel like watching it could add to the experience I had listening to the OST. When it's both a film and score I love dearly, however, finding out exactly which bars, textures and theme statements underscore exactly what onscreen, and even explore early intentions the same way is usually definitely half the fun of the whole thing! In the case of Alien, on the other hand, it was changed/butchered enough in film that I can divorce the Intrada main program into Jerry Goldsmith's Alien: a symphonic suite for specially extended orchestra inspired by the hit motion picture, not a 1:1 copy of the film as is the case with something like HP1 or Star Wars.

No.

IMO there's no reason to spend money on any 4K BD player that doesn't do both Dolby Vision and HDR10, even though Dolby Vision is winning the battle

There may have been times when I've experienced that feeling @Chen G.although it's never stopped me from enjoying the score removed from the contextual shackles of the film. In my experience of Attack of the Clones, it's the score that actually boosts my enjoyment of the film and separate from it because clearly Williams conveyed a greater understanding of the characters and story than Lucas did.

You know my outlook on scoring in general, which is that you cannot seperate your impression of the film from that of the music. They're intristically connected, and even on album, the score is little more than a souvenir of the film. If a film is great, it make a good score (Braveheart) seem better than it is on its own right. If a film isn't terribly good, it can make the score seem worst than it really is (Attack of the Clones) on its own right. Should episode IX be ho-hum (which I of course hope it isn't) that'll undoubtedly affect one's impression of the score.

Ghostbusters (2016) is no way near as bad as angry men on the internet will have you believe. However, with talent like Kate McKinnon and Melissa McCarthy, why not make an original film instead of wasting them in a remake.

Would have been more interesting if we’d heard the door open and the sound of JW cocking a gun.

Picked up First Man today, it wasn't a score I was really looking to purchase, but stumbled across it at my local retail outlet. I haven't really listened to it outside of the film, but The Landing really is an outstanding piece! Plus the packaging is beautiful even if it doesn't contain any notes from Hurwitz or Chazelle. I also ordered both How to Train Your Dragon 2 and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, two tremendous scores that will complete my collection of all three films/scores.

Are you kidding? TESB was written in a few weeks. A few months for a score is actually very generous, scheduling wise. Also, considering what happened to Solo its extremely unlikely they will push Ep 9 to spring or summer.

😍

While the Harry Potter expansions are a huge deal and a wonderful release of so plenty of essential material, the Prequel expansions have been a forum wide holy grail for a while now. They win, but I think we'd all be glad to have both in our collection!

Not really actually. I hear that he has crowds amassing at his front doorstep in confusion over his name.

Out of Africa by John Barry A beautiful score. John Barry continues to amaze me the more and more I listen to his work. The main theme and Karen's theme drive this concise but perfect 30 minute album forward. It's a splendid listen. For a good one track sampler suggestion, give a quick listen to the Main Title or End Credits.

I started building my first Hi-Fi system at Christmas! Right now it's made up of: - Onkyo A9010B integrated stereo amp (UK version - analog only) - Mission LX-2 speakers - Oppo 203 UHD Blu-ray player - I have this connected to a Dolby Atmos home theatre system via HDMI and to the stereo amp via analog So far I have to say it sounds fantastic! I'm listening to the Harry Potter set on it now and I've never been able to enjoy good stereo image before now. The sound doesn't appear to be coming from the speakers. Instead it's like the wall behind the speakers has been turned in to the recording stage. I can pin point where instruments would be and the sound completely fills my living room with a lovely balance. The Onkyo amp also has a separate headphone amp making listening on phones so much better than I was getting from my PC. Warm and detailed sound.

I can't remember a note of that score, but I do remember the rests.

I think the score is magnificent. The film is okay. A pity that the new setting and characters mean that the journey theme and Armstrong themes won't return. They were both outstanding themes. Not looking forward to the movie though. Felt very stale.

This is weird: nowhere does the booklet state which choir sang the vocal version of Hogwarts Forever!, unless the London Voices had a secret kid's section. If it was the London Oratory Boys' choir, then Paul Broucek, (then) executive music producer at New Line Cinema, has given us a clue to this hidden unknown recording's existence in the Two Towers' Appendices back in late 2003!

Step 1) Either be 13 or be with a 13-year-old. Step 2) Harass John Williams outside of his house with mediocre renditions of his music. Step 3) Wait for John Williams to come out of house. Step 4) Profit. This is seriously the most direct way to contact him.

I don't know if it was already reported somewhere here, but an interesting trivia/curiosity about the first score that Mike's excellent liner notes don't mention is the unusual fact that Williams debuted "Hedwig's Theme" in concert several months before the film opened--he conducted the piece at the annual Tanglewood on Parade gala concert that was held in July 31, 2001. You can find the program of that concert here: https://cdm15982.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/PROG/id/665707

Star Wars of course!

Are you forgetting about Solo? 😂

So 3 discs and still incomplete? PASS!

So is the conventional thinking this will be: Disc 1: Film Score Disc 2: Film Score Continued + Alternates Disc 3: OST Presentation (reconstructed from scratch, if the elements allowed) We already know from Mike there won't be any source music included on the set, per Williams' request (hence its inclusion on the 2+3 set).

The "Oak Room" plays when they are in the Oak Room, and the other one plays, when they drink two Martini in the movie... WELL I THINK!

not in particular order The Adventures of Tintin Jazz Autographs Catch me if you can A.I. theme (vocal version) hedwig's theme

Rey, of course. And her theme.

I'm a little disappointed it's not a 4-CD set??? - A JWfan

like this .it my main hobby besides JW and videogames

Nice! I’ve ordered the Deluxe version. Can’t wait to have it in my hands.

Currently reading this at the recommendation of my phychologist (but in french): https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/fr-ca/livres/well-stressed-manage-stress-before/9781443430272-article.html