How does he do it?

[iamwillo 0]

My friend and I are HUGE fans of John Williams! I was surfing the internet and found your website. I thought I would run this past you.

We were both talking yesterday about the fact that there is nowhere to be found any video recordings of him conducting through a recording session. We want to know HOW he gets all those rich sounds only unique through his music. Do you have any insights? Are there any workshops that he provides? Any videos documented? Where would we find them?

Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you!

[indy4 155]

On iTunes and online there are some FSM Podcasts...one of the early ones discusses Memoirs of a Geisha, and some of JW's process during the recording sessions for that score.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

He puts himself through unimaginable stress. It's how he lost all of his hair.

[Uni 306]

How does he do it?

Like this . . . oh. Wait. I forgot—you can't see me. Shoot.

Well, I'll try to think of a way to describe it through prose.

- Uni

[pete 907]

The simple answer is a lifetime dedicated to music and continued growth as a composer.

There really aren't any short cuts. And genetics play a part too. Obviously some parts of his brain are firing off a greater number of little electric charges compared to the norm. A happy congruence of a brain geared for creativity, a love of music, a rich musical childhood, and the timing of his birth giving him opportunities to learn his craft when TV required composers to compose a hell of a lot. Not to mention one hell of a work ethic.

[gkgyver 1,645]

There are videos of him conducting recording sessions.

[Incanus 5,714]

True there are videos, short segments of him conducting the orchestra at the sessions and showing some of the fine tuning of performances and Williams giving instructions to orchestra sections or individual players. E.g. there is a video of Williams recording a new version of the NBC News theme, which I believe can be seen on Youtube, where the documentarist records some of his direction. But I do not know if any lengthy piece of footage showing him at this craft has ever been released. Steven Spielberg does tape some of the recording sessions material every time they work together.

Here is the NBC theme 9 minute documentary

[Uni 306]

We were both talking yesterday about the fact that there is nowhere to be found any video recordings of him conducting through a recording session. We want to know HOW he gets all those rich sounds only unique through his music.

To answer your question (more seriously this time), if we knew how he did it, we'd be doing it too. So would a lot of other people. The fact that no one's doing it like him testifies that his abilities—and sensibilities—are completely unique and extraordinary. So the simple answer to your question is that no one seems to know just how he does it. Good luck figuring it out.

I can tell you I've seen video of him as he's sitting at the piano, composing the scene when Han and the gang escape the asteroid in Empire Strikes Back. I've also watched video of him conducting the recording session as E.T.'s ship ascends into the heavens. (He breaks the slightest grin as the orchestra swells to its peak; you can tell he knows he's put something special together. That moment gave me chills like I've never had.) So I know such footage exists.

I keep meaning to go back and find those videos. I want to download them so I can have them on hand.

- Uni

[Quintus 5,399]

OP, there's a fascinating BBC documentary from back when he was writing the Star Wars trilogy. It's easy to find online and you would probably love it.

[karelm 2,912]

Hi, I was lucky to spend a week watching him rehearse for a concert. Will put some thoughts together tomorrow.

[Nick1Ø66 4,711]

With mirrors, I'm told.

[karelm 2,912]

In 2007, John Williams was rehearsing with my school’s orchestra and I spent the week attending these rehearsals since there was so much to learn just from being there and observing. I was back stage and got to meet and talk to him on several opportunities which was very exciting for me.

 

The concert program included his standards such as E.T., Star Wars, Imperial March, Raiders, Jurassic Park, etc., plus the Horn Concerto with Jim Thatcher on horn (he was the horn soloist in “JFK” Arlington cue.). I waited back stage where JW would come to lead the orchestra on the first day of rehearsing and about one minute before rehearsal (after the orchestra was tuned up), he was walking towards me (there was no other way for him to go since I was at the back stage entrance. His eyes met mine and I mumbled something incoherent that must have sounded like cave man talk (“me picture you give”) or something. I was very nervous having him look me in the eyes from just two feet away. I recall him saying: “there will be time for that later.” he was direct but focused since he was on the clock and had to start right then. I sat and watched the first rehearsal back stage from the orchestra’s venue. He started off by telling us what a pleasure it was for him to work with us and how much he enjoyed working with young musicians. He also mentioned finishing up a meeting with Spielberg and Lucas just a few minutes earlier since they were working on “Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull” at the time.

 

The security was tight and they prevented video and pictures during rehearsal so these were all sneaked pictures. I have several videos as well during the rehearsals mostly pretending the camera was off. I’m still not clear why the extra security but I gather it is just because there is a monetary value on these things so it must be managed. I would be surprised if JW himself cared as much as his managers but I’m sure there are others on this site more in the know than I am.

 

JW never seemed worried, never was condescending when a wrong note was hit, etc. For example, if a horn cracked a high note in E.T., you didn’t get any indication that he wanted to call that out. Instead, he was beyond courteous to the players. One example that I vividly recall was during I believe Princess Lea’s theme, it starts with a long flute solo. He told the young flautist, “you played that so beautifully, I won’t conduct you. Just play as you feel it should be played and I’ll start on bar 3”. It was something to that affect. The whole orchestra applauded her but I have to think being told something like that by JW was life changing for her.

 

He did not explain his music much but always demonstrated respect for the players. For example, letting all the non-essential players (strings) leave for one of the Harry Potter cues that was winds alone. I believe the cue was for that crazy bus. He said they can leave if they go quietly and every one instead stayed in their seats to watch and observe.

 

The overall sense of the man was of a mentor rather than a tyrant. He never raised his voice and anytime he said anything, the orchestra was 100% in attention (rare). Spending the week with him, you also get the distinct impression he is a very generous though guarded man. I recall someone nearly shaking with excitement coming out of his trailer. I asked him what happened and he showed me a letter of recommendation signed by JW. Basically, as I put the details together, this person who I didn’t know had a story that touched JW and he agreed to hear him out and offer his powerful endorsement. I don’t know any more details of who this was or what it was about other than that, but I did think it demonstrated a human, paternal side to JW that is hard to see except up close. It was a very little moment but memorable.

 

He also offered some of us composers personal advice at one stage after that days rehearsal. We all introduced ourselves and his guidance was something along the lines of “follow your passions rather than the flavor of the month”. If this had come from someone else like a teacher or parent, it might have seemed trite but coming from him, it seemed revelatory and profound.

 

In general, I found him to be utterly professional, disciplined, genuinely humble, and sincerely appreciative (dare I say even surprised) of the excited performers attention. He has very discerning ears but also doesn’t nitpick. Most of the direction came in terms of phrasing and a few minor balance tweaks but I was overall surprised how little control he put on the performance. They just understand his intentions and guessing by the fact that we all grew up with his themes, I suppose it’s not a surprise they knew the material so well. There were still moments where I felt the percussion is too loud but he didn’t seem bothered by it. For example, the snare drum in Imperial March was louder than the soundtracks but that wasn’t commented on. An example of how humble he is, he repeatedly stepped aside during the applause to let a soloist stand and get their moment. Since this was a concert where every five minutes came an applause, he was very frequently stepping aside for others to bow who were just starting off. He never demonstrated any hint of stress or pressure that he might be under with his day job scoring a big film. If there was any insecurity ("might I fail? what if India Jones 4 bombs? When will i get the time to write 100 minutes of music?") absolutely none of it was detected. Some composers can be very insecure about how their music is percieved, but here, there was just focused, non threatening attention to details.

 

A few times I did find myself looking at his head thinking how cool it is that all this brilliance comes from that guy who’s brain is just oozing with ideas. There was no moment of "ah hah, now I understand his secret" but rather a reminder of how dilligent hard work and respectfulness can pay off big over time. And I completely agree with Pete in this thread who said: "There really aren't any short cuts. And genetics play a part too. Obviously some parts of his brain are firing off a greater number of little electric charges compared to the norm. A happy congruence of a brain geared for creativity, a love of music, a rich musical childhood, and the timing of his birth giving him opportunities to learn his craft when TV required composers to compose a hell of a lot. Not to mention one hell of a work ethic."

 

It was a wonderful privilege to experience this and every minute was valuable.

 

The top picture is of Jim Thatcher who was playing the horn solo on the concerto. Jim said it was extremely difficult and he was quite nervous.

[Jay 37,346]

Wonderful story, karelm!

[chuck 154]

Nice story there karelm. I think the reason why JW is not stressed out over whether IJ4 will bomb or not is because at that stage in his career he can safely ignore all that and just focus on enjoying making music, not on where will his next meal ticket would come from.

Hey I think I saw some of you guys playing on that Elmer Bernstein Concert Tribute video.

[wanner251 17]

Karelm, that was a fantastic story! What a treat to have so much semi-intimate time. What a gracious person, and story!

[indy4 155]

Fascinating story--thanks for sharing!

[Incanus 5,714]

A wonderful story karelm. Thank you very much for sharing it.

[Datameister 2,041]

One of the most wonderful posts I've read on this site in quite a while, karelm.

[Nick1Ø66 4,711]

That's a really beautiful story Karlem...I found this to be particularly moving....

He told the young flautist, “you played that so beautifully, I won’t conduct you. Just play as you feel it should be played and I’ll start on bar 3”. It was something to that affect. The whole orchestra applauded her but I have to think being told something like that by JW was life changing for her.

Life changing in indeed. Thanks for sharing this.

[KK 3,307]

Fascinating story Karelm!

[Uni 306]

How impacting was that wonderful story?

I dreamed it. No kidding. I had a long, very vivid dream this morning I was the one sitting in the orchestra all week while he mentored us. I knew I was going to get to meet him at the end of it all. It was about to happen, too . . . and then the alarm went off. #%&!@$#!!!

Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted.

- Uni