John Williams' Horn Concerto available on iTunes

[Incanus 5,890]

Great news!

I don't think this has been reported yet and it sure sneaked on us from nowhere even we knew it was in the works. John Williams' 2003 Horn Concerto is now available on Naxos label. Performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Leonard Slatkin conducting, Karl Pituch as horn soloist.

The Horn Concerto on iTunes

[Nemesis 301]

This are very good news indeed!

[fommes 165]

Nice. Will they also release it on CD?

[Neimoidian 15]

I hope so...

[Maurizio 6,913]

Naxos usually releases albums in digital formats a few months before the regular store release. I think we'll see it released soon on CD as well.

I'm monitoring Naxos.com regularly. I'll keep you updated.

[Romão 2,473]

This is my favorite Williams concerto, these are fantastic news

[Thor 9,362]

Nice! I'll wait for the CD, though.

[King Mark 3,975]

I'll buy the physical c.d. for sure.

[Nemesis 301]

They didn't record the IV. movement?

[King Mark 3,975]

uh oh

[Jay 46,244]

Perhaps track 3 contains movements III and IV

[Henry B 51]

Perhaps track 3 contains movements III and IV

Yes, it does. Check the track title by previewing it on iTunes.

[Incanus 5,890]

Perhaps track 3 contains movements III and IV

From Naxos' site:

1. I. Angelus: Far far away, like bells … At evening pealing 00:05:47

2. II. The Battle of the Trees: Swift Oak … Stout Guardian of the Door 00:02:18

3. III. Pastorale: There Came a Day at Summer's Full - IV. The Hunt: The Hart Loves the Highwood 00:08:46

4. V. Nocturne: The Crimson Day Withdraws 00:10:28

So the Movements III and IV are on the same track. We can all sigh with relief.

[Xander Harris 9,676]

http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.570386

Was that ever released on CD? I only have a digital version.

[Incanus 5,890]

http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.570386

Was that ever released on CD? I only have a digital version.

Yes the compilation Movie Masterpieces John Williams was released on CD. I think it was in just about every CD store here in Finland when it was first released and for the "huge" price of 5€.

[PetePan 163]

Funny,

Individual tracks cost $0,99 but the full album $9,99.

The album has only 5 tracks...

[Morn 8]

Wow! The final movement is brilliant, so pretty!

[Incanus 5,890]

This is one of my favourite concertos from the Maestro. All the movements are brilliant in their own way, from the lyrical to the aggressive.

EDIT: Here is a press release on the DSO site about the Horn Concerto release and upcoming Williams concert music releases from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra:Link

[Nemesis 301]

Why can't I buy these damn tracks!!!! Why!!!!!!

[Joe Brausam 234]

Oh, the fifth movement is probably the best in the concerto. And if anyone knows the meaning behind Angelus bells, they'll see that the 1st and 5th movements are really very related. It's pretty cool. I performed the 5th movement with piano accompaniment for my senior recital this past spring, so I've become pretty intimate with the work.

[pete 1,329]

Why can't I buy these damn tracks!!!! Why!!!!!!

I'm in the same boat. I have a credit card and itunes account, but alas they refuse me.

I'll certainly be buying a CD release (if they'll take my money), but in the meantime I sure wish there was a way to hear this. God it's annoying haveing the money and desire to buy something and not be able to. Feels like I'm living in the days before money was invented. At least you could barter then, but I don't think iTunes would want anything of mine.

[Maurizio 6,913]

I hope people and fans here will support and buy this release. If it will be a success, it's likely there will be more and more to be released in the future.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,025]

Naxos usually releases albums in digital formats a few months before the regular store release. I think we'll see it released soon on CD as well.

I'm monitoring Naxos.com regularly. I'll keep you updated.

Please do, otherwise NAOXS SUCKS, WILLIAMS SUCKS, AND THE WHOLE WORLD SUCKS!!! Why should people who do not have the ability to download, be prejudiced against? I wouldn't care if it was the new Arctic Monkeys c.d, or some s**t band, but this is JOHN F***ING WILLIAMS!!!!!!! Shame on everyone concerned.

[Maurizio 6,913]

If there's a label who surely will NOT replace actual CDs with download-only release, is Naxos.

If you have some spare time, read this recent interview with Naxos' founder Klaus Heymann, as he speaks about his interesting vision of today's recording industry (esp. concerning the classical music).

[Nemesis 301]

I hope people and fans here will support and buy this release. If it will be a success, it's likely there will be more and more to be released in the future.

I would love to support this release but this stupid Itunes don't let me.

If ever a cd release come true I will buy a cd. But for now I would be just glad to listen to them.

[Wojo 2,458]

Funny,

Individual tracks cost $0,99 but the full album $9,99.

The album has only 5 tracks...

Track 5 is album only. Gotcha.

this is JOHN F***ING WILLIAMS!!!!!!!

Yes, that's so much classier than "Towner."

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Hey, the Arctic Monkeys kick ass. I'd me more excited if they had another studio album over this.

Maurizio, if a CD release is likely, why should we buy this? Trust me, I want it, but I'm not going to double dip.

[Maurizio 6,913]

Maurizio, if a CD release is likely, why should we buy this? Trust me, I want it, but I'm not going to double dip.

...says the guy who has just spent $500 for a boxset that's half made of previously released material...

I don't know for sure it will be out on CD (it says "iTunes Exclusive"), but I guess it will be, probably coupled with the Violin or the Cello Concerto.

[Marian Schedenig 11,695]

this is JOHN F***ING WILLIAMS!!!!!!!

Yes, that's so much classier than "Towner."

In that case, could he be related to Amanda F***ing Palmer?

[Jay 46,244]

'Round here it's Aaron Fucking Boone...

[Joe Brausam 234]

That 5th track on the is a real jewel. It's a very interesting discussion between Slatkin and Williams that covers a wide variety of subjects. It naturally focuses on the concerto, but Williams also discusses his views on the place of film music in the history of music and how he feels it will be regarded in the future and why it's regarded the way it is today. Williams is actually a fascinating interviewee when presented with someone really discussing MUSIC and matching his intellect.

I hope this recording shines some light on just how virtuosic this work is, and how beautiful it is. I'd honestly place this amongst the pinnacle of Williams' canon, and I'm including his film work here too. The theme in the Nocturne is perhaps the most moving he's ever written, and The Hunt is really a wonderful example of how he can take a traditional style piece and weave into something of his own. Battle of the Trees contains perhaps the most difficult stopped horn passage I've ever encountered in horn literature. The pastoral has that beautiful interplay between the horn and the woodwinds. Angelus has those wonderful bell and chime passages and a very technical, yet beautifully melodic part for the soloist. It's Williams in absolutely top form.

[tjguitar 0]

I can't find a US CD release for john williams movie masterpieces. I didnt even know the recording existed. Was it on the main site?

[Marian Schedenig 11,695]

Ok, I'm confused. The press release says this is release "exclusively via iTunes", which would mean there won't be a CD release. However, Amazon has it as well, so it's clearly NOT exclusively iTunes. What gives?

[King Mark 3,975]

So far I've managed to live without an itunes account. But I don't want to create one just to be told I can't download it outside the US

[Romão 2,473]

Can't get enough of this. This is absolutely brilliant

[King Mark 3,975]

Is the performance as good as the Williams conducted concert performances?

[Joe Brausam 234]

Oh, definitely. I mean the soloist makes his share of flubs on notes, but anyone would. It's an incredibly difficult piece. The tempi and all are spot on though and the ensemble is definitely up to the task as well. It's a definitive recording.

I have to say too, the revisions done to the piece after the Clevenger performance were smart. Makes the piece more interesting, with the Nocturne in a higher octave and all.

[Tom 6,861]

The troubling feature of the press release is that is seems to indicate only the horn, cello, and violin concertos will be recorded and released. what about the others, particularly those that have no recording?

[Miguel Andrade 1,727]

Slatkin's plan is to have ALL Williams concertos recorded in the coming seasons. So far he has only recorded the Horn (and that was even prior to his appointment as music director of the DSO) and the Violin. This season they will do the Cello.

This things do take their time, as in whatever form they come, I'm grateful to Slatkin and the DSO and Naxos for making all this happen. I'm sure that if we show the deserving support for this recordings, they will continue to pop up, and most likely, they will be released on CD at some point.

As for the performance, it is top notch, and surely Slatkin is one of the finest american conductors, and it's a particular treat that he has dedicated so much time and effort in conducting Williams music. He gave the premieres of the Violin and Flute concertos with the Saint Louis Symphony and later recorded them with the LSO. During his tenure at Saint Louis he also conducted some of Williams film music and the Tuba Concerto. With the National Symphony he commissioned Seven for Luck, but we all know how that one ended, thanks to soprano Kathleen Battle. I just can't wait to hear his take on the Cello Concerto, and whatever else he's able to record.

[TJH132 58]

I hope people and fans here will support and buy this release. If it will be a success, it's likely there will be more and more to be released in the future.

I would love to support this release but this stupid Itunes don't let me.

If ever a cd release come true I will buy a cd. But for now I would be just glad to listen to them.

Head over to Amazon.com or use Amazon MP3 on your mobile device. The process is seamless, it's not tied to iTunes, and it costs four dollars less!

Enjoy!

TJH

[Neimoidian 15]

I am waiting for a physical release.

[TJH132 58]

So far I've managed to live without an itunes account. But I don't want to create one just to be told I can't download it outside the US

Try Amazon.com or Amazon MP3 on your smartphone.

TJH

[Nemesis 301]

Slatkin's plan is to have ALL Williams concertos recorded in the coming seasons. So far he has only recorded the Horn (and that was even prior to his appointment as music director of the DSO) and the Violin. This season they will do the Cello.

This things do take their time, as in whatever form they come, I'm grateful to Slatkin and the DSO and Naxos for making all this happen. I'm sure that if we show the deserving support for this recordings, they will continue to pop up, and most likely, they will be released on CD at some point.

As for the performance, it is top notch, and surely Slatkin is one of the finest american conductors, and it's a particular treat that he has dedicated so much time and effort in conducting Williams music. He gave the premieres of the Violin and Flute concertos with the Saint Louis Symphony and later recorded them with the LSO. During his tenure at Saint Louis he also conducted some of Williams film music and the Tuba Concerto. With the National Symphony he commissioned Seven for Luck, but we all know how that one ended, thanks to soprano Kathleen Battle. I just can't wait to hear his take on the Cello Concerto, and whatever else he's able to record.

What was the story behind Seven for Luck? I can't remember.

[Miguel Andrade 1,727]

What was the story behind Seven for Luck? I can't remember.

Williams was commissioned by The National Symphony Orchestra to write a new song cycle for Kathleen Battle. She had recently premiered and recorded Previn's Honey and Rue and wanted more new music composed specifically for her -- apparently, since Previn was a former Hollywood top man, she thought it would be a good idea to get some big time popcorn composer to write her a new cycle. When Williams presented 7 for Luck, she bailed out, reportedly because she felt was to difficult for film-like songs -- whatever that means. The premiere was even scheduled on the NSO 1996/97 season, but was later cancelled. Williams premiered it the following season at Tanglewood.

[Nemesis 301]

Thanks for the info, didn't knew that!

[King Mark 3,975]

Sounds like another one of these " America,The Dream Goes On" situations

[Miguel Andrade 1,727]

Sounds like another one of these " America,The Dream Goes On" situations

Not at all. "America, The Dream Goes On" was composed and premiered in 1982 by the Boston Pops. To this day, I've never been able to find out if that was any sort of commission. As for the performance, there was in 1984 some problems during a rehearsal that led Williams to present his resignation to the BSO management. But Williams ended up returning and all ended up well. They recorded the song in their 1984 album with the same name, and performed during the following season during their national tour.

[ST-321 42]

Funny,

Individual tracks cost $0,99 but the full album $9,99.

The album has only 5 tracks...

That's crazy! The interview, which is album only, is $5.99?!

[Hlao-roo 390]

I am waiting for a physical release.

I'm waiting for a spiritual one.

[Xander Harris 9,676]

In that case, God be with you in your quest.