Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted September 27, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 27, 2018 Hello, Some of you are already aware of this, but I want to spread the news to every JWFan here: After a few months working on it on and off, I'm now ready to launch this side project of mine which I hope will encounter interest among fellow John Williams admirers. It's time for me to give back the immense amount of gratitude I have toward this great composer. It's a blog called "The Legacy of John Williams": https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/ The purpose is to build a platform to collect and gather material from people around the world who were inspired by the music of John Williams--mostly musicians, composers, conductors, but also filmmakers, film professionals, historians, music critics and scholars. I want to give space also to admirers who have interesting stories and perspectives to tell and share. The goal is to celebrate the rich musical legacy John Williams is giving and leaving to our lives, for centuries to come. There is a larger and much more ambitious goal at the core of this project, but it’s too soon to speak about it. If this blog will get momentum and will become the platform I hope will be in the foreseeable future, everything will be addressed. As you can see, it's still work-in-progress, but from now on I plan to build and update it regularly, so be patient, I promise it will be worth your time. Taking a cue from the Maestro's writing process, I see this project as a living thing that can be improved and changed over the course of time. Today I published the first piece of content, an exclusive interview with pianist Gloria Cheng about the Montage recording/documentary: https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2018/09/27/conversation-with-pianist-gloria-cheng/ I've also set up Facebook and Twitter pages, so I hope you will like/follow: https://www.facebook.com/thelegacyofjohnwilliams https://twitter.com/TheLegacyofJW Of course feedback from anyone is greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening! Loert, Fancyarcher, Ricard and 23 others 23 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Wonderful Maurizio! Looking very much forward to reading more your always insightful and appreciative thoughts on our Maestro Williams on this blog now and in the future. P.S. A lovely interview with Gloria Cheng as well. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Looking forward to reading your insights. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Bookmarked! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,319 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Nice! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1Ø66 4,689 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Wonderful idea. May your blog be just as successful as its subject! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyD 1,221 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 This a wonderful project you are doing. The Maestro was the inspiration for my college thesis: The Anthropological and Spiritual Significance of Music. I would love to contribute by posting a file of it, if that is possible. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bespin 8,480 Posted September 28, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 28, 2018 This blog is not as important as "THE" website about the discography of John Williams, but we appreciate your effort! Loert, The Illustrious Jerry, mrbellamy and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,262 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Great work Maurizio! Can't wait for your next post there TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,478 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Great idea for a website, TownerFan! Good luck! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 Thank you all for the nice words, guys. I'll do my best to be worth of the subject 12 hours ago, JohnnyD said: This a wonderful project you are doing. The Maestro was the inspiration for my college thesis: The Anthropological and Spiritual Significance of Music. I would love to contribute by posting a file of it, if that is possible. Thank you, JohnnyD. Absolutely, write me a PM and we'll see how to do it. I definitely want to host writings from other people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted October 1, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 1, 2018 A brief reflection about the impact JW is having on young musicians and his commitment to pass knowledge to a younger generation: https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2018/10/01/the-significance-of-a-legacy/ Joni Wiljami, SteveMc, #SnowyVernalSpringsEternal and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted November 12, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 12, 2018 Hi all, Here's a couple of new pieces I recently did for the blog: Memoirs from London and Vienna https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2018/11/05/memoirs-from-london-and-vienna/ Exclusive interview with Richard Kaufman: https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2018/11/12/interview-richard-kaufman/ New exclusive interviews and content coming soon in the next few weeks Thanks for listening! Once, Ricard, Cerebral Cortex and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted February 1, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 1, 2019 Sorry to tout my own thing here, but there are a couple of new feature articles which I hope you will enjoy: An in-depth look at Williams' love affair with concert band music and his own contribution to one of America's greatest musical heritage https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/02/01/a-new-march-king/ A few words with violinist Gil Shaham, who talks about his relationship with the music of John Williams: https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/01/30/a-few-words-with-gil-shaham/ Coming soon on the website more exclusive interviews and contents. Incanus, Once, tannhauser and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crlbrg 381 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Loving the articles! Thank you so much for the work to provide this content! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,478 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 You're on a roll, TF. Loving your whole angle and articles and stuff. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted April 11, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 11, 2019 On 2/1/2019 at 6:14 PM, Thor said: You're on a roll, TF. Loving your whole angle and articles and stuff. Thanks! here's a new piece: an exclusive interview with Belgian Maestro Dirk Brossé talking about, well, you-know-who https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/04/11/interview-dirk-brosse/ Disco Stu, Joni Wiljami, Fabulin and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Voldemort? 🙄 TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Just got to reading your Brossé interview @TownerFan. Great work as always. He’s a man after my heart mentioning the composer George Antheil, a personal favorite of mine. Miguel Andrade and TownerFan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Very nice interview Maurizio, thank you once again TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted April 15, 2019 Author Share Posted April 15, 2019 Thanks, gents. More interesting stuff coming soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Another great interview Maurizio! Keep 'em these articles coming! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted April 26, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 26, 2019 New audio interview with Conrad Pope, talking about the music and the legacy of John Williams, the art form of film music and his life and career in the Hollywood film music community. It’s a fun one! Hope you all enjoy! https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/04/26/conrad-pope-interview/ Joni Wiljami, bollemanneke, Once and 15 others 14 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted April 26, 2019 Share Posted April 26, 2019 Well I have to repeat myself but this was another fantastic interview Maurizio and Mr. Pope is wonderfully articulate on these many subjects you discuss throughout your talk. He shares some very interesting little bits of new "insider" information and anecdotes about John Williams and his generation of musicians. A wonderful listen! Miguel Andrade and TownerFan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 Looking forward to this! Pope is always a great raconteur. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bollemanneke 3,338 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 Really enjoying this! Love Pope's imitations of Williams and Horner too. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 Oh, so he's an imitator? I've always thought he's an orchestrator! bollemanneke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,713 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 39 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said: Oh, so he's an imitator? I've always thought he's an orchestrator! He just re-orchestrated his voice! TownerFan and bollemanneke 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Score 770 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 21 hours ago, TownerFan said: New audio interview with Conrad Pope, talking about the music and the legacy of John Williams, the art form of film music and his life and career in the Hollywood film music community. It’s a fun one! Hope you all enjoy! https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/04/26/conrad-pope-interview/ Thank you Maurizio, I really look forward to listening to this! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 I listened this morning and it's very good! I was especially gratified to hear Pope single out The Post score for compliment. "The Court's Decision and End Credits" has become a real favorite of mine over the past year and a half. TownerFan and Not Mr. Big 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 The track from The Post that's gotten most rotation at home is The Presses Roll, as I'm learning it on the piano. Such a fun piece to play! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joni Wiljami 1,206 Posted April 27, 2019 Share Posted April 27, 2019 They are all briiliant. The 2010's stuff. Incanus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbs 14,304 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Excellent interview @TownerFan, Pope is great to listen to. Lots of fun little anecdotes. Wondering about the excerpt from Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra around 15:00. It sounds cleaner than my copy of the track from the Concord expansions... Curious which source you used for the track here? TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 Thanks everyone, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Conrad is the definition of a true gentleman. 10 hours ago, crumbs said: Wondering about the excerpt from Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra around 15:00. It sounds cleaner than my copy of the track from the Concord expansions... Curious which source you used for the track here? It’s the 2008 Concord remaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbs 14,304 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 13 minutes ago, TownerFan said: It’s the 2008 Concord remaster. Interesting! Might need to do a fresh rip of my CD. Was never impressed with the recording of TLC but it sounded better than I remembered in this podcast. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 BTW @TownerFan I'm totally on board for your Appalachian Spring-West Side Story-Star Wars triptych take. Makes it even more special that Williams personally commissioned the sculptures of Copland and Bernstein at Tanglewood. Showing gratitude to his forebears! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Five Tones 302 Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Great episode @TownerFan, thank you! This question may have been covered elsewhere, but do you publish your playlists anywhere? I have to confess I recognize most but not everything played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted April 30, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 30, 2019 14 hours ago, The Five Tones said: Great episode @TownerFan, thank you! This question may have been covered elsewhere, but do you publish your playlists anywhere? I have to confess I recognize most but not everything played. Thanks for the tip. I'll include a playlist with timestamps of all musical excerpts. Jurassic Shark, The Five Tones, Ricard and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted April 30, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 30, 2019 A tribute to John Singleton, who recently passed away, and the score of Rosewood: https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/04/30/john-singleton-rosewood Ricard, Miguel Andrade, Disco Stu and 3 others 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 I read that earlier. Very nice. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 On 4/26/2019 at 8:37 PM, TownerFan said: New audio interview with Conrad Pope, talking about the music and the legacy of John Williams, the art form of film music and his life and career in the Hollywood film music community. It’s a fun one! Hope you all enjoy! https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2019/04/26/conrad-pope-interview/ The good thing about Pope is that he isn't afraid to give his opinion about film music, even if it makes it look a bit like a snob at times. He also articulated better than I ever could why Williams is the last of a dying breed, and why modern film music is really a different animal. He does pretty decent imitations of Williams'and Horners voices too! Miguel Andrade and Jurassic Shark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothless 963 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Any chance these interviews are available on Apple podcast, SoundCloud, Deezer, etc ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,233 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 4 hours ago, Stefancos said: The good thing about Pope is that he isn't afraid to give his opinion about film music, even if it makes it look a bit like a snob at times. He also articulated better than I ever could why Williams is the last of a dying breed, and why modern film music is really a different animal. He does pretty decent imitations of Williams'and Horners voices too! If he were just another whinging JWFan that would be one thing but my problem is that he does this in full view as someone with clout and influence with the younger generation. His attitudes are pessimistic and destructive rather than constructive and helpful for the future. I have personally witnessed composers express damaged confidence after reading one of his tirades about this or that from the good old days and how it'll never be the same again - and that in itself is just speculation! He can't see the damn future. Talented young artists who hear sentiments like that from a veteran can't help thinking that they are inevitably second rate. Sorry but I think that's an awful thing to have as part of your influence, however much else he has contributed as an educator. I don't begrudge him the right to an opinion but I think you need to know your audience and wield your soapbox with responsibility and not give in to this kind of glory days worship/future despondency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Five Tones 302 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 On 4/30/2019 at 5:22 AM, TownerFan said: Thanks for the tip. I'll include a playlist with timestamps of all musical excerpts. Thank you so much! TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,033 Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 19 hours ago, Stefancos said: The good thing about Pope is that he isn't afraid to give his opinion about film music, even if it makes it look a bit like a snob at times. He also articulated better than I ever could why Williams is the last of a dying breed, and why modern film music is really a different animal. Indeed. Too many people nowadays let themselves uncritically be seduced by shit in a shiny wrapping. They would benefit from reading The Emperor's New Clothes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 21 hours ago, Knox Harrington said: If he were just another whinging JWFan that would be one thing but my problem is that he does this in full view as someone with clout and influence with the younger generation. His attitudes are pessimistic and destructive rather than constructive and helpful for the future. I have personally witnessed composers express damaged confidence after reading one of his tirades about this or that from the good old days and how it'll never be the same again - and that in itself is just speculation! If one tirade from someone who's own career as a composers isnt particularly noteworthy or successful is enough to change you forever you probably should not be working in Hollywood. Jurassic Shark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted May 2, 2019 Author Share Posted May 2, 2019 23 hours ago, toothless said: Any chance these interviews are available on Apple podcast, SoundCloud, Deezer, etc ? I've set up a SoundCloud account and will upload all audio features there as well. Just be patient a little while Disco Stu and toothless 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, TownerFan said: I've set up a SoundCloud account and will upload all audio features there as well. Just be patient a little while That would be perfect! Adding a Soundcloud RSS feed to my podcast player of choice would be really cool/convenient. TownerFan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,983 Posted May 2, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 2, 2019 21 hours ago, Knox Harrington said: If he were just another whinging JWFan that would be one thing but my problem is that he does this in full view as someone with clout and influence with the younger generation. His attitudes are pessimistic and destructive rather than constructive and helpful for the future. I have personally witnessed composers express damaged confidence after reading one of his tirades about this or that from the good old days and how it'll never be the same again - and that in itself is just speculation! He can't see the damn future. Talented young artists who hear sentiments like that from a veteran can't help thinking that they are inevitably second rate. Sorry but I think that's an awful thing to have as part of your influence, however much else he has contributed as an educator. I don't begrudge him the right to an opinion but I think you need to know your audience and wield your soapbox with responsibility and not give in to this kind of glory days worship/future despondency. This is the kind of discussion I wished to stimulate. I reckon you're working in the film music industry, so I'm interested in hearing different perspectives. Personally, I don't think Conrad sounded all that pessimistic and negative. He's certainly a man devoted to a craft and to a method largely disappearing, so he might feel nostalgic about certain things. But I was particularly struck when he questioned the current status quo of film music and asked "are we taking enough about what we learned from the past?". I think this is a very intersting subject to discuss, as JW is certainly one of the last of a dying breed of musicians and one of the last to express a certain kind of musicianship. This isn't to say that after he will be gone, everything will be lost and nobody will be at that level. I think JW himself is the first to be very curious about what the future holds. That's certainly one of the main reasons why I started this project to celebrate and study the legacy of JW, to keep that tradition aflame and let musicians talk about precisely these things. The Illustrious Jerry, ChrisAfonso, Bayesian and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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