Williams Concerts in Boston

[tpigeon 3]

I was just wondering if anybody else was going to see Williams at one of his two concerts in Boston on 5/28, and 5/29. I'm going to the one on the 28th and i can't wait. only three more days!

[Johnnyecks 33]

Yup, I'm gonna be there! I'm going to Boston tomorrow by Amtrak (I gotta say, I'm a little nervous about it.......there have been A LOT of train accidents lately) and I am excited because it's a vacation. Yay.

I will be at the Tues. night show (28) sitting at the tables. Row 8!

I can't wait either. I saw him in Pittsburgh, and he was FANTASTIC. It'll be great to see him with "his" orchestra. Sorta like being home.

[tpigeon 3]

yeah, i'm also going by Amtrak on monday morning and am a bit nervous too. i had someone i know up in boston get the tickets for me so i don't know exactly where i'm sitting yet, but he said they were good seats. i went to a concert of his when he was in Philly back in 2000, and i feel the same way. it was amazing! he talked a lot in between all the different pieces he played and was very funny and entertaining. the best moment though had to be when he first came out to the podium and with one wave of the arms the Philadelphia Orchestra burst into the Star Wars main title. it was one of the most spectacular things. just writing all of this is getting me more excited for tuesday night.

[NeejaHalycon 0]

This is a rather morbid thought, but I really hope I get to one of these before Mr. Williams passes away.

[tpigeon 3]

a morbid thought indeed. but here's some positive news....

a) both of Williams' parents are still alive and supposedly doing well, which means that there cannot be too many health problems in his genes

B) my dad is a statistician, and he informed me that according to the numbers, composers live much longer than people in other professions. on avg. they apparently live to be pretty old. i don't know enough about it, but supposedly it is because conducting is such a great cardio-vascular excercise and they all do it so much. it makes sense i think since when you're that old its hard to do any other cardio-vascualr excecise with the exception of walking, but that doesn't really count.

just some hopefuly information for those of you who believe that Williams won't be around much longer, because i sure think he will. whether or he'll actually be conducting concerts is a different story.

[moviemusicman 0]

Does anyone know why Mr. Williams chose not to do his annual "Movie Magic" weekend at the Hollywood Bowl this year? It is the first time in several years that he has not performed at the Los Angeles venue.

Thanks!

[Ren 75]

i hope to see him at tanglewood in august

[Nat777 0]

I'll be there on the 29th. I can't wait! I'm also going to see him at Tanglewood on August 3rd.

[JCM 1]

I will be there the 29th with about 15 people from my co-ed music fraternity (Kappa Kappa Psi). We're in the first balcony , dead center

It will be my fourth time seeing Williams I think. The first time was a concert of the Pops he conducted in august about 3 years ago at Tanglewood. The next two times were during the "Tanglewood on Parade" concerts. One was the premeire of the Episode I music (and also the concert where I accidentally met Seji Ozawa after the show!) and the second one, he was performing parts of the Unfinished Journey (american journey) with narrators and accompanying video. (that was the night I got to meet HIM!!! got a picture and autographed program! sneaking around behind the shed after a concert pays off!!!)

So this will be my fourth concert, but my first one at Symphony Hall, so i'm really excited about that...i've heard the acoustics are incredible!!!

-JCM

[CruciformSword 2]

Anyone have any idea when he will be in Pittsburg again? I wouldn't be able to convince my mom to go to Boston, but I probably could get her to Pittsburg.

:?: -Jason

[Guest]

I'll be going on the 28th and I can't wait either- I am most excited to hear the Clones Love Theme... and I am hoping he might do the Salt Lake City Olympic theme too.... Let me tell you all that there really are no bad seats at Symphony Hall- I have balcony seats, and those are almost better then the floor because it gives you an overhead view of the Orchestra... Going to be a great night!

John F

[Johnnyecks 33]

Well guys, I am now in Boston. I am staying at the Elliot Hotel just a couple of blocks up from the Pops. Where are you guys sitting? There is a Virgin Megastore just a couple blocks down from the Pops, where I bought the Tuba Concerto (couldn't find it anywhere else). I didn't listen to it though, I'll save that for the train ride home.

I was wondering, Tpigeon and JohnF, did you guys wanna meet up somewhere for a coffee or something either before or after the show? I think it would be cool to finally see the faces of some of the people here.

Just a thought.

If not, enjoy the show. It's TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really cannot wait. I am trying to see if I can weasel my way into getting to say hi to him, get his autograph, and hopefully get a picture. From what I have read in other posts of concerts and stuff, that this is sometimes possible. I gotta talk with either his assistant, or the theater manager or something though.

Well, I'll talk to you guys later. I will be online off and on while I'm here in Boston.

CruciformSword: Yeah, I'd love to see when he'll be in the 'Burgh again as well. That concert was INCREDIBLE!

Well, if you guys have the money, I suggest the restaurant "Clio" here in the Elliot Hotel. INCREDIBLE. ONe of the best meals I've ever had. Expensive...yeah. Exotic, absolutely. Very artsy. The food is about the appearance as well as the taste. Reminded me of the restuarants that everyone ate at in "American Psycho"!

Take care guys, and I'll talk to you later!

- John

[David Vincent 8]

Aaaaah, I wonder if John Williams makes a concert in France

[Guest]

I am flying up to Boston tomorrow from Jacksonville, FL. 1st time seeing Williams in person. Was going to go up in 99, but glad I waited.

I wish I could ask him about Lucas's hack job on his AOTC score.

[Johnnyecks 33]

Well, today is that day! It is 12:35pm. I am going to get some breakfast/lunch and walk around rainy and stormy Boston today. Then, tonight is the night!

See you all there.

[Johnnyecks 33]

Well, I am now back from this trip. So sad that months and months of planning and anxiously waiting, and it was all over in a matter of 2 hours. So short for something so special.

I am planning on writing an in-depth review of the entire concert, including some (Shh.....) pictures that I took before, during, and after the show. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a good writer. I am very non-professional, I am not the perfect speller and I have a tendancy to ramble and write run-ons. I would like to apologize for this in advance.

In case anyone cares, here are some of my thoughts about the show.

Just a little background. Earlier in the week, I had called the box office and asked to speak to the theater manager. Thinking that he would be the person who would be able to get me in to see Mr. Williams. I have waited and waited at back doors, and stage doors numerous times trying to get autographs and/or pictures and have either been bum rushed by fifty or so other people that I am lost in the crowd, or they have never come out. I didn't want this to happen this time around. So, I figured I would try to get in from the inside, so to speak. After I got him on the phone, I started into my fan-ramble (Listened to him since I was 6, have all of his recordings avail on cd, he is my fav. composer, he got me to appreciate music and in doing so changed my life...yadda yadda yadda...usuall fan-fledged ramblings), and he interupted me and told me that if I was going to start to pitch a meeting that he was going to put me in contact with Mr. Williams' assistant. Ok, I said. Thinking 'this is it, it will finally happen', I was put on hold. Then I got a voice mail. I pitched again, leaving phone numbers and email addresses and for them to PLEASE back to me.

THe next day came and went, and I didn't get a response. I called back the next day, and left the message again. No response.

Head held low, chin to my chest, I came to Boston. I was gonna get to see Williams in concert which is good enough, but I had no definate answer if I was gonna get to meet him. Oh well. Another loss, I thought.

First off, I LOVE the BSO Hall. Wonderfull seats, (Row 8 on the floor, with the tables, all the way on the right hand side), and EXCEPTIONAL acoustics (for which the hall is known for...) the only thing that I have a problem with, is that the waiters and waitresses are CONSTANTLY moving about, pouring and delivering drinks and the like even during the show, creating a slight distraction. There are even instances where they walked over a rather annoying, creaking floorboard several times. I mean, couldnt' they mark that area and.....gasp....step OVER it.

Also, I guess it's because of the 'relaxed' atmosphere of the Pops concerts that some people become SO relaxed that they don't MIND talking amognst each other............during the show. I almost slugged the table behind me. They were talking, snickering, and just creating a distraction during none other than the quieter moments of the "Mission Theme".

Other than those two instances, the rest of the night went PERFECTLY. Here is a short, unless I start rambling which is quite possible, review of the night.

My parents and I got to the theater about 40 mins. before the show, and there was already a large crowd forming around the theater, naturally. I was surprised that there was quite a number of 'older' folks. I was expecting a larger crowd of younger people (much like myself), but I guess that the general poplulace of the season ticket holders to the BSO, are older couples. This didn't bother me, just surprised me.

Untill this night, I had never been to the B.H. before but I have seen broadcasts on T.V. and what not. I must say, that this is an absolutey beautiful hall. From the old wood, and creaky, floor to the chairs, to the lighting, and the sculptures up in the walls. And the high ceilings.....woah...I was impressed. It was just as beautiful in real life as it was on TV. Well, we were led to our table where we were promptly introduced to our waiter who asked us if we wanted anything to drink or eat before the show. We declined. We were gonna save the wine until right before the show started. Well, after a gruelingly long wait the lights were finally dimmed, the Orchestra was ready, I was practically drooling, and finally....he came out.

He didn't start talking or anything, he just went right into:

Olympic Fanfare and Theme

Lots of applause. More than I would've expected. Some whoops, and cheers as well. I was hoping he would start talking. He is a funny guy, and he usually offers some little talk in between pieces. He said nothing.

Next was:

Excerpts from "Fidder on the Roof"

My mother turned to me and, I thought, was going to say "I didn't know he did this". Instead she turned to me and said "Oh, this is great". My mother was even having a good time already! I don't own this cd, but now I will. This was great music! And the lead violinists' solo performance was CAPTIVATING. She was incredible. Tamara Smirnova was her name. I will have to remember this, look her up in my BSO recordings.

Again, not talking, just right back to the music.

Adventures On Earth (E.T......like I need to tell you that)

Ahhh....... I almost cried. This is my favorite score, this was my first movie that I can remember seeing in the theater. This film means so much to me. It got me involved in theater, film, and made me start to appreciate film music. All at the tender age of 6! THis was by far the best performance I've ever heard of this.

LOTS of applause and cheering this time.

Then, and intermission.

ANother glass of wine, and we were ready to begin again. Next up was:

Flight To Neverland

This is alot of fun. A great concert piece. The audience loved it.

The Reivers (Narrated by Senator Alan Simpson). Williams said that this man was one of the nicest people he ever met. He certainly seemed it. He was a great speaker.

I had never heard any of the narration to this before, nor have I seen the movie. But I definatly own the music. I will now have to see the movie. This performance was great.

And yet another intermission. And glass of wine!

The Mission Theme

This one started just like it did when I saw him in Pittsburgh last year. With laughter from the audience. I think that once the "non-educated, non-Williams" fans realize that this was the (laugh) NBC News theme, that they must giggle. I can't complain. I did as well, because of them. I was giddy with delight. Until the table behind me opened their mouths. They were lucky I didn't shove my Champagne bottle...........nevermind.

Theme From Schindler's List

Just as good as what you would think. Another great performance by Tamara, first Violinist.

Theme from Jaws

This was the best performance of this as well. The bass' and Tuba's sounded MAGIFICENT in this. Nice and deep in just the right places. Wow, sounds like a porn film.

Then with giddy anticipation he went into:

The Imperial March

I almost leaped out of my seat and cheered. This is my favorite "concertized" piece of his. I truly love it. It makes the "JW Conducts JW: Star Wars Trilogy" disc of mine by Sony worth it to me.

LOTS of applause, cheers, and the like. I almost shouted "We love you". BUT, I am not THAT kind of fan.

Ya know, the crazy lurking in the shadows kind. I didn't want to be thought that I was.

Next up was:

Across The Stars

PERFECTION. Beautiful. Amazing. Brilliant. Words cannot convey how wonderfull this piece is, and was performed.

Star Wars: Main Theme

Okay, I almost lurched out of my seat. This was the final piece, and that opening blast of notes just about had me roaring with delight.

The perfect closing, to the perfect night.

Or was it.

It continued. Read on............

After a standing ovation, he came back out with a surprise. KEITH LOCKHART, who if you don't know, conducts the Pops now. Keith replaced Williams, who replaced Arthur Fiedler.

Keith, after stopping the audience who wouldn't stop applauding (myself included), told the audience that John was celebrating a rather big event. "I won't tell you HOW big of an event, but it's big". Williams laughed, as so did everyone else. Everyone knows that it was his birthday. Well, back in Feb., but still. Birthdays for celebrities continue longer than the average populace.

"We have a special chorus for you", Keith said. There was some loud yells, and laughter, and I looked behind me......and what do I see? None other than Grand Moff Tarkin, Emporer Palpatine, Boba Fett, and about 8 stormtroopers walk in. It was INCREDIBLE. On stage Darth Vader, with Darth Maul carrying a birthday cake came out onto stage and flanked Lockhart, and Williams.

Then we all sang Happy Birthday. It was a very special time. I must say, we sounded great! How can 1,000 people sing badly? Heh.

Ok, so I exaggerate. I don't know how many people exactally.

Well, a lot more applause, and they left. Then WIlliams said that he would conclude the night with two special pieces, the first being the "nice" theme from:

The Accidental Tourist

Yes, I must agree with him. Very nice. Perfectly played.

Then more applause, and the finale....

Raiders of the Lost Ark

This brought the audience into applause overload. We couldn't hold it in. We were bursting from the seams. We started clapping 10 secs. into the piece.

We were in absolute OVERKILL mode afterwards. Standing ovations, someone blew him a kiss and he blew it back, cheers, yells, everything. It was great. He walked out................... we continued...............the he............grabbed his baton and everyone SCREAMED. YAY. One more!!!!

Concluding the night, the way the Pops always did. With:

The Stars and Stripes Forever

THe audience clapped along with the beat, until he quieted us. Then, at the right moment, he turned and conducted US. Telling us to clap along. We did, and then he cut us off again. The clarinet soloists popped up and played their piece, they sat down, we applauded, they stood back up to thank us while playing, and sat back down again. Then during the conclusion of the piece the back row of brass stood up and a giant American flag dropped from the ceiling. We all SCREAMED with delight, and clapped harder than we ever did. This was very touching, considering everything that has gone on lately.

More standing ovations, and LOTS more applause.

And then like that.......... he was gone.

We all gathered out coats.......and oh yeah, I forgot to tell you........

This afternoon, I got a call from his assistant. She aplogized for not getting back to us sooner, but she placed my parents and I on the backstage guest list. I'm telling ya, I could've proposed to her right then and there. So, we were now off to see him.

We went to the stage door, where a crowd of eager fans (I've been THERE before, I felt their pain) were gathering, and we knocked on the door, asked our names, I told them, and they let us in. I could FEEL the angered eyes piercing our backs.

We then went up a rickety, tight flight of stairs where we were told to wait. He was enjoying his birthday cake, and getting pictures taken with the Stormtroopers, Lockhart, and the Senetor who read from The Rievers.

Then after about 20 mins. of waiting, we were told we could go on.

There he was.

My idol.

My musical GOD.

Standing there, looking at ME! In his patented Black Trousers and black turtleneck!!!!

I was so nervous. I probably looked like an idiot.

I shook his hand, and gave him my pitch of how big of a fan I am. He patiently listened, and once I got to the part where E.T. is my fav. movie and fav. musical score he smiled and started to tell me about the concert in L.A. where he performed it live. I said I really wanted to be there, and he told me that it was such a nice evening. He then looked at my parents and said "Are they with you?". I was so involved in standing there, looking at my idol that I completely forgot to introduce my parents. I did, they shook his hand. My mother said "He is such a fan, that if he hears something of yours come on the radio or cd, he can guess it after only a couple of notes". Ahhh...mothers. She is so right. I can. He laughed. I laughed. I was nervous. My hands were shaking, and sweating. I asked him if he would mind if I got a picture or two and an autograph. He very sweetly said "I would be delighted to John". OH he remembered my name! Not that it's a hard name, but he must hear this EVERY DAY. THe countless fans swooning over him!

I pulled out my 20th Anniversary E.T. liner notes, and showed him to give meaning to our conversation about E.T. to sorta show.....see, it IS my fav. of all time! He smirked, and I opened it up, fumbled for my pen. He had his own. He signed the inside picture. He just signed his name. It was great. Then he asked if I wanted a picture. Oh Yes, I said. I gave my mother the camera, and showed her how to use it. I prayed that the batteries wouldn't go dead, and that she could figure out how to use the camera (it's a digital one). Willams stood next to me and put my arm around my shoulders. I put my arm around his waist. It was WONDERFULL. My mother snapped a picture that shows me in my happiest state EVER. We shook hands again, I said that I was very thrilled to be there and to thank him, and he was VERY kind and said "Thank You, it is my pleasure". ANd then we were leaving. We were told to go down another set of stairs, and so we did. We were led to the inside of the hall where we first gave our names to go see him. There standing was about fifty fans. All wanting autographs. They were all staring at my parents and me. I thought i was gonna be bum rushed.

If any of you were there, and saw me come out. I'm sorry!!!!! I felt bad. I have been there before.

This concluded my perfect stay in Boston. I am leaving tomorrow, but I will NEVER forget this night. I don't know if I will ever wash my right hand again! Heheh......

I will post this review of the concert, along with the pictures I took, on my website once I get home and on my desktop. The URL is:

www.johnnyecks.com

I hope you all enjoyed the first review I've ever written. I'm sorry if it is difficult to read, for I am not a scholar. Just a regular fan, posting a regular review.

Take care everyone. And keep listening to the Maestro's masterpieces.

- John

aka Johnnyecks

[Mari 279]

Thank you for the review! Sounds like you had an awesome night.

[tpigeon 3]

I agree with everything that he said. The concert was masterful. And he didn't leave out much in the review. I only wish I could have had the pleasure of actually meeting him like he did. I would have been the same exact way. Overall, it was one of the best experiences of my life, something I'll never forget.

[Johnnyecks 33]

Mari, it definately was an awesome night. It's been two days since, and I'm still in shock about it! Heh.

Tpidgeon, I wish I would've been able to get you in as well. I would've gladly done that.

For all who are interested, my webpage has been updated with my review, and a page of pics that I took before/during/and after the show.

You can get there by smacking on:

www.johnnyecks.com/williamsconcert.htm