Bryant Burnette

It looks like Robert Townson's post about this album isn't here yet:
 
John Williams Reimagined   Sara Andon, flute; Cecilia Tsan, cello; Simone Pedroni, piano   Produced by Robert Townson   So proud to announce this 2-CD set that will be released by Warner Classics on August 23, 2024.   Star Wars. Memoirs of a Geisha. Schindler’s List. Far and Away. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The list goes on and on. Legendary film composer John Williams has for decades reigned as the most celebrated film composer of all time. But John Williams Reimagined is Williams like you’ve never heard him before.   John Williams’ themes and orchestrations have resonated in moviegoers’ minds for generations. Steven Spielberg called him “the greatest of all maestros.” George Lucas once told him, “You brought my stories to life beyond my wildest dreams.” For film score producer par excellence Robert Townson, it was the “extraordinary flute solos John has featured in so many of his film scores” that triggered the idea of “a John Williams album…unlike any other.”   But could the album Townson imagined—scored for chamber trio of flute, cello, and piano—become reality? With a long career of film score productions to his credit, the producer knew that Williams seldom approves new arrangements of music from his iconic scores.   Townson had more than a dream, though. He had a dream ensemble in mind: flutist Sara Andon, cellist Cécilia Tsan, and pianist Simone Pedroni. So, with no guarantee they’d ever see the light of day, he enlisted Pedroni to create three sample transcriptions; record them with the three musicians; and sent them to the composer. Much to their delight, Williams approved Townson’s full track list and sanctioned the trio to exclusively record and perform the full set.   Pedroni, for his part, describes the orchestral color of John Williams’ film scores as “always masterful—which made me think that it is impossible to do better.” Yet as the pianist worked on the transcriptions he realized that “Williams’ compositional genius…pure, deep, and great in itself” was precisely what would enable him to reimagine the selections—some iconic, some relatively obscure—for the chamber trio Townson had in mind.   The result is a revelation.   Familiar themes pepper the track list, intermingling with lesser-known music. “Princess Leia’s Theme” from Star Wars made a lasting impression on Sara Andon when she first heard it as a child. The score for Memoirs of a Geisha features cello solos that Williams wrote for his friend Yo-Yo Ma, and that translate perfectly for Cécilia Tsan, who is a childhood friend of Ma. The trio premiered their John Williams Reimagined concert recital at the Rome Film Music Festival in 2023.   The selections cover more than half a century—from Williams’ Emmy-winning score for the 1970 telefilm Jane Eyre—Townson’s original inspiration for the album—to the main theme of 2022’s The Fabelmans, one of over two dozen collaborations between Williams and Spielberg, which affords the brilliant Pedroni a solo piano spotlight. From the canon of iconic Williams scores over this timespan, the two-CD set includes selections from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Witches of Eastwick, Jurassic Park, The Accidental Tourist, Dracula, The Sugarland Express, Jane Eyre, War Horse, Hook, The Patriot, and more, not to mention the Star Wars saga, Schindler’s List, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.   During the recording sessions in Los Angeles, John Williams invited the trio to perform a selection of the new arrangements for him privately in his writing studio at Amblin. This was in 2022, during Williams’ 90th birthday year, and he was being celebrated all over the world. Following the performance of “The Face of Pan” from Hook, the composer was very moved. He warmly remarked, "This is one of my best birthday gifts," and gave each of the musicians a hug. Sara, Cécilia and Simone will remember this moment with immense joy and heartfelt gratitude for the rest of their lives.   Film music producer Robert Townson founded his first record label in 1985 and has produced nearly 1,500 film music recordings over the past four decades. He has worked with a galaxy of eminent composers, from Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein and Alexandre Desplat to Hans Zimmer, Lalo Schifrin, Danny Elfman, and of course John Williams.   Flutist Sara Andon is a versatile international soloist and recording artist equally at home with symphonic and chamber music, opera, ballet, new music, jazz, and Broadway. She has performed with top-tier orchestras and is heard on countless film, TV and video game scores. She has recorded with such composers as Brian Tyler, John Debney, Marco Beltrami, and Jeff Russo and for labels Sony Classical and Varèse Sarabande.   Cellist Cécilia Tsan, winner of the Debussy Prize at the Paris International Competition, performs as a soloist and chamber musician in her home country of France and abroad. She has recorded hundreds of movie soundtracks in Los Angeles by composers such as John Williams, Randy Newman, James Horner, and Alan Silvestri.   Pianist, conductor and arranger Simone Pedroni launched his solo career winning the gold medal at the Van Cliburn Competition in 1993. He has performed in sold-out concerts throughout the world, working with artists such as Yehudi Menuhin, Zubin Mehta, and Leonard Slatkin, and recorded for labels including Sony Classical and Decca Records.   JOHN WILLIAMS REIMAGINED - TRACKLIST   CD 1   1. Star Wars: Princess Leia’s Theme Jane Eyre 2. To Thornfield 3. Reunion Memoirs of A Geisha 4. Sayuri's Theme 5. A Dream Discarded 6. Going to School 7. Images: In Search of Unicorns The River 8. Growing Up 9. The Pony Ride 10. Love Theme 11. Young Friend’s Farewell 12. The Sugarland Express: Theme 13. Elegy for Cello and Piano 14. A.I.: The Reunion 15. The Empire Strikes Back: Han Solo and the Princess 16. Far and Away: County Galway, Joseph and Shannon, Blowing Off Steam, Finale   CD 2   1. The Fabelmans 2. Seven Years in Tibet 3. Jurassic Park: A Tree for My Bed 4. Hook: The Face of Pan 5. The Accidental Tourist 6. Schindler’s List: Theme Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 7. Double Trouble 8. A Window to the Past 9. Hagrid the Professor 10. Chasing Scabbers/Hagrid’s Friendly Bird and The Snowball Fight 11. Dracula: End Credits 12. War Horse: Dartmoor 1912, Bringing Joey Home and Bonding, The Death of Topthorn, Finale and The Homecoming 13. The Patriot 14. Sabrina: How Can I Remember? The Witches of Eastwick 15. The Tennis Game 16. The Seduction of Suki and The Ballroom Sequence 17. Devil’s Dance 18. E.T.: Over the Moon   Recorded and Mixed by Gabe Burch   Mastered by Patricia Sullivan at Bernie Grundman Mastering   https://www.facebook.com/100007586280737/posts/3571911583071683/

Yeah, the mixing is definitely not good. The playing is not bad, but it's more of an anomaly than a must own (except for crazy people like me).

"FSU University"
 
Lord help us.

It appears that a Florida State concert from 2022 has been released on CD and digitally. Available at Presto, Qobuz and probably most other sites (but I have not checked them).
 
From the Mark Records website:
 
ALBUM NOTES John Williams is, without question, one of Americas greatest composers. His vast career began in the 1950s and has continued for seven decades. During this time he has received twenty-five Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, and countless other awards and recognitions. In 2005, his soundtrack to the film Star Wars (1977) was selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest movie score of all time. While he is best known for his collaborations with Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas, his vast body of work includes television, music composed specifically for the Olympic Games, stand-alone classical compositions, and a thirteen-year tenure as conductor of the world-renowned Boston Pops Orchestra.

Tonights concert is a celebration of this extraordinary composer in the year of his ninetieth birthday. We are pleased to feature music from his most popular and enduring film scores. All of the arrangements used this evening were created at Williams request specifically for the two occasions when he conducted the The Presidents Own United States Marine Band. We hope you enjoy our tribute to this musical genius.

NOTES ON THE PROGRAM
The premieres for the following John Williams Signature Edition arrangements for wind ensemble coincided with the 205th and 210th anniversaries of the United States Marine Band - in 2003 and 2008 respectively - performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington D.C. and conducted by the legendary composer, John Williams. The subsequent program notes are John Williams original words relayed here for you from the conductors scores, including edits for content and length.

1. Overture To The Cowboys (1972) 

2. The Jedi Steps & Finale (2015) 

3. Viktors Tale (2004) 
Deborah Bish, clarinet

4. Adventures On Earth (1982)

5. Raiders March (1981) 
Nickolas Doshier, graduate associate conductor

6. Theme From Schindlers List (1993)
Benjamin Sung, violin

7. The Imperial March (Darth Vaders Theme) (1980)

8. Star Wars Main Title (1977)

Nooooo thank you.

I kind of feel like that and I haven't even hit fifty.

I kind of feel like that and I haven't even hit fifty.

Nightbreed.

I hope it’s The Village!

I've been trying to pick these up just to support the idea of music from TOS being readily available, but Jesus Christ, they're coming too fast.
 
Also, where my Bond CDs at?

Have you never been to this site before...? 

I think Oppenheimer deserves this particular win, but I'd be happy for Williams to pick up another Oscar after an unforgivable drought.  That said, he'd be winning for a score that would rank only somewhere in the middle-to-bottom among the scores he's put out since the last time he won an Oscar, and that would feel kind of odd.

Have you never been to this site before...? 

Have you never been to this site before...? 

I think Oppenheimer deserves this particular win, but I'd be happy for Williams to pick up another Oscar after an unforgivable drought.  That said, he'd be winning for a score that would rank only somewhere in the middle-to-bottom among the scores he's put out since the last time he won an Oscar, and that would feel kind of odd.

I'm sure the music branch are just as frustrated as us that he hasn't won since 1994.
 
The best they can do is acknowledge him with nominations and that's fine with me. It's pretty obvious he isn't winning another competitive Oscar; I think that final ship sailed with Fabelmans.

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. 

You could have spent that money on something by Lorne Balfe or whoever the f--k.

Yes, no doubt here. Best soundtrack purchase ever! 

You could have spent that money on something by Lorne Balfe or whoever the f--k.

You could have spent that money on something by Lorne Balfe or whoever the f--k.

New podcast episode!
 
https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2024/01/19/bill-booth-podcast/
 
NEW EPISODE! L.A. STUDIO LEGENDS: BILL BOOTH John Williams has a deep affinity for all brass instruments, but did you know that he studied trombone when he was a teenager? Legendary studio musician BILL BOOTH tells all about playing 1st trombone in the Maestro's orchestra in Los Angeles for more than 30 years, including such scores as HOOK, JURASSIC PARK, INDIANA JONES and the STAR WARS sequel trilogy. Bill reveals the joys and the challenges of being John Williams' principal trombone, reflecting on the special quality of the Maestro’s music and also of his human side. LISTEN tinyurl.com/h3nht9pu Also available on major podcasting platforms   https://www.facebook.com/thelegacyofjohnwilliams/posts/pfbid02G28dK5LePBe7r5J46DfZPcwFqnN2CQoBLv8TmqxtLVbTPTKVi3QFyiqWVW6aTsdtl

Part 2 was another great round table discussion! Bravo.
 
It brought the songs to another level for me for sure. Yes I was always curious about them but the score was THE reason I was there. I certainly listened to them when I got the set but hearing the group go through them really made me listen again so thanks! Like several folks mentioned Hook is something we keep finding new things in 30+ years later.
 
Now did my ears deceive me or was there a part III alluded to ?? Maybe it was just discussion of "oh if we ever did a part III..." but I'm down for as much time as you guys want to record and edit Either way as usual these episodes are a gift that I keep coming back to time and time again. 

NEW PODCAST EPISODE! 'HOOK - THE ULTIMATE EDITION' PODCAST SPECIAL PART 2 The Legacy of John Williams rings the new year with the long-awaited Part 2 of the HOOK podcast special on La-La Land Records' monumental, best-selling release of John Williams' soundtrack for Steven Spielberg's 1991 fantasy epic! Producer Mike Matessino returns to discuss more of the musical contents of the 3-disc Ultimate Edition, together with associate producers and co-writers of the liner notes John Takis and Jason LeBlanc. During the conversation, the trio of special guests dissect all the riches found in the treasure chest of this John Williams’ score, analyzing the score’s main themes, how the songs’ melodies were reworked into the thematic fabric of the piece and offering their own thoughts and reflections on the film and its score. LISTEN tinyurl.com/23xppnvk Available on all major podcasting platforms.  
https://www.facebook.com/thelegacyofjohnwilliams/posts/pfbid02BV9ZRkyw7iFaDzrmrqMHkMZq7YmoEvtbcKvx3YSNuymymyV1LP2ip1xbQde8wQ73l

Finally got a chance to listen to the Hook episode! 
 
I always love when Mike M. says something along the lines of I don't know if anyone cares to hear this.... then he proceeds to blow my mind!