Seeking Info Regarding Williams' Elegy...

[nightscape94 968]

I am unable to locate this information, but can anyone tell me the actual name of the violinist to which these tragic events happened, which prompted Williams' to write this piece? The work was expanded upon, formed into the Elegy, and performed at a memorial service for the death of two young children of a female violinist. Do we know her name?

Thanks,

Tim

[crocodile 9,724]

The CD notes don't reveal anything and I don't believe they should.

Karol

[Morlock 12]

Huh? Anyone mind explaining what exactly is being refered to here?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,388]

He's referring to the Elegy for Cello and Orchestra on the John Williams/Yo yo Ma CD.

[Morlock 12]

Ah. And what is the tragic event Tim is describing? I've never heard this story.

[Romão 2,473]

I think it was a violinist that lost her young son.

[Seth 67]

As I recall, a violinist Williams knew lost her children in an accident of some sort. He wrote the Elegy for the children's memorial and then orchestrated it for the album.

[nightscape94 968]

Ah. And what is the tragic event Tim is describing? I've never heard this story.

According to the liner notes of the CD, a female violinist lost her two young children in some type of accident. The Elegy was created specifically for the children's (they are named Alexandra and Daniel in the notes, by Williams) memorial service, and dedicated to their memory. It was first performed and arranged for piano and cello.

I was just curious if any ever heard of her. Williams mentions the children's names, but not the mother. It's not terribly important, I was simply relaying this story to someone at a classical radio station, and couldn't conjur the actual name of the violinist.

Tim

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,388]

Williams probably didn't mention the name of the violinist as a matter of privacy.

It has not been mentioned in this thread, but the Elegy was actually adapted from a fragment of Seven years In Tibet that Williams was apparently particulary keen on.

[nightscape94 968]

adapted from a fragment of Seven years In Tibet that Williams was apparently particulary keen on.

A fragment that I dearly wish was included more in the score, as a secondary theme, rather than a 2 minute finale. No wonder he wanted to expand on it. He probably didn't realize it's potential or greatness until after the fact.

Tim

[Bespin Copilot 10,819]

This is an horrible story, really.

 

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-24-me-31943-story.html

[crocodile 9,724]

That is absolutely horrific. Wish I hadn't read that.

 

Karol

[pete 1,329]

I find it fascinating that Williams' music helped her through her grief - in contrast with Williams' own struggles with grieving the sudden death of his first wife.  The passages about the Elegy are some of the most heartbreaking and touching of the whole book.

 

Grief is not an altogether minor theme of the book. - Like Josh Grobin's experiences with singing Always and getting permission from Williams and Spielberg to play it for his dying grandmother before the film was released. 

[Poor_Man_S_HirschFeld 97]

indeed elegies and generally pieces 'mourning' about loss or separation are among the most stirring and goosebumps inducing in all of Williams' oeuvre.

 

[scoreman36 196]

So weird - not the first time I’ve read a chapter in the book then the next day someone brings up that exact same moment in a thread. Heartbreaking story, and one of JW’s most beautiful melodies. 

[Maurizio 6,913]

6 hours ago, pete said:

I find it fascinating that Williams' music helped her through her grief - in contrast with Williams' own struggles with grieving the sudden death of his first wife.  The passages about the Elegy some of the most heartbreaking and touching of the whole book.

 

Indeed they are, and they speak loudly about JW's humanity and his commitment to people he loves and cares about.