2623 replies to this topic

[Nick Parker]

What is the piece John Williams is performing in this (wonderful) documentary (he is visibly shown playing it at 3:19)? Is it an original John Williams composition or what?

It's Le grillon, the second of French composer Maurice Ravel's song cycle Histoires Naturelles. Le grillon is French for 'cricket' (as in the grasshopper-like insect rather than the game). The words that the woman is singing are from poems by Jules Renard.

Thank you, Damien! I admit that it is pretty cool to just see John Williams play music for his own sake rather than anyone else's.

[Richard]

Exsultate Justi, yes. Suo Gan, no.

Thanks!

Suo Gan is a traditional Welsh song.

[Koray Savas]

Yes, John Williams arranged it.

[Mr. Breathmask]

No, John McCarthy did.

[Marian Schedenig]

John McCarthy is the next John Williams!

[Mark Olivarez]

Has anyone ever figured out what the cue "Night Siege" (Original LP) / "Trucking" (Special Edition) represents in CE3K?

A deleted scene, an alternate?

[Nick Parker]

Wait, it was not in the film!? That would explain everything...I was listening to "Night Siege" and I thought it was so awesome that I wanted to see what scene would be awesome enough to hold it. I could not find it anywhere...I would estimate it to be pretty close to the scene of the escapees climbing Devil's Tower, if I remember the film correctly.

[Mark Olivarez]

Yeah it fits somewhere in there but I don't know if we've been able to determine what is scores.

[Josh500]

Hey, quick question regarding THRONE ROOM from Star Wars.

Was this based on or inspired by any one known (classical) piece? This sounds so familiar to me somehow...

[Nick Parker]

It would probably serve you well to check this Thread.

[Josh500]

Ahh yes, thanks.

[ManofDestiny]

Recently I've noted that there are some expanded European version of the "Legend of 1900" selling on ebay, with a very low price cost lower than $12 US dollars. Since the items are in the China Mainland, I wonder weather these copies are illegal copies. However, the seller told me that the CDs are factory pressed CD and they don't sell bootleg. Is there anyone know if it is possible that this European version of the "Legend of 1900" be a true Sony made expanded score? Or they are only illegal copies? Because I don't want to buy any illegal bootleg.

[Koray Savas]

According to SoundtrackCollector the Italian version has 8 extra tracks. I never knew there was an expanded version, I have the 21-track version.

[ManofDestiny]

Yes, that's the European version I'm talking about.
As far as I know, it is very rare. However, the ebay seller have at least 10 copies of it. Though the seller claimed that the CDs were pressed CD and all item are from licensed Distributors, I doubt if it is true. I need to comfirm before buying it.

[Marian Schedenig]

Specifically Italian, unfortunately. I have the Austrian version which, as listed, only has 21 tracks.

[Richard]

Has anyone got any idea why "Return Of The Jedi" sounds so awful? I can think of a couple of reasons; bad microphone placement, which is unlikely, or the innability to use the new mixing desk - ROTJ was recorded digitally; the previous two were analogue. This is also unlikely, as the stunning sound for "Brainstorm" (recorded just a few months later, and direct to 2-track, mind you!) testifies. Was ROTJ mastered/transferred by somone with an overactive enthusiasm for Dolby noise reduction? Either way, it is a great shame, for it spoils what should be a terrific musical finale for the saga, into a rather ho-hum listening experience.

[Mark Olivarez]

Ahh the age old question.

I would say it's a combo of a few things; quality of the available material, limits of technology at the time of the recording and re-mastering.

I have complete faith that Michael Matassino, Nick Redman and all involved did the best they could with what they had at the time.

[Wojo]

What about it specifically sounds awful? My ears aren't savvy enough to pick up on anything glaring.

[Mark Olivarez]

What about it specifically sounds awful? My ears aren't savvy enough to pick up on anything glaring.

To me it's just flat, almost close to mono.

[Wojo]

I will say this, Return of the Jedi has my least favorite of the three classic Main Titles. I'm talking about Main Title only, not what comes right after it.

[Richard]

What about it specifically sounds awful? My ears aren't savvy enough to pick up on anything glaring.

To my ears, what sounds awful is the fact that there is hardly any top-end, and that the high strings are barely audible-it sonnds like the violins and violas were recorded in another room altogether. The sound of the high-end strings is reminescent of the placement of the same in the J.G "2001"-they just don't sound as though they belong to the same recording. This is hard to explain, I know, but, to my ears, it is just wrong.

[MissPadmé]

Yesterday I invited a collegue to come over at my house and chat a little, he is studying musical composition and a little into filmmusic too. so we were having dinner and in the background I had the stereosystem, playing ROTJ from the Anthology box, in shuffle mode. And when "Through the Flames" playd he jumped out of his seat and yelled: "Hey cool thats Max Steiner's King Kong! You have that?!" and I was like.. "WTF?"

He was referring to the beginning of that cue and he claims that the "3 descending notes-King Kong theme is in there"
He hummed three descending notes and again a litle higher.. tahts the classic Kong theme he said
I am not familiar with that score, do you know what he means.. can you hear a similarity??

[E.T. & Elliott]

I will say this, Return of the Jedi has my least favorite of the three classic Main Titles.

I think it's my favorite of the three. It's the most rousing, I think. I missed the main titles having any kind of distinction in the PT as with the OT. Damn it!

[Marian Schedenig]

"Hey cool thats Max Steiner's King Kong! You have that?!" and I was like.. "WTF?"

...you don't!?

He was referring to the beginning of that cue and he claims that the "3 descending notes-King Kong theme is in there"
He hummed three descending notes and again a litle higher.. tahts the classic Kong theme he said
I am not familiar with that score, do you know what he means.. can you hear a similarity??

Interesting observation. I never made the connection, but it's clear what he means. It's the same theme JNH quotes in the PJ version by the way.

[Mark Olivarez]

Yesterday I invited a collegue to come over at my house and chat a little, he is studying musical composition and a little into filmmusic too. so we were having dinner and in the background I had the stereosystem, playing ROTJ from the Anthology box, in shuffle mode. And when "Through the Flames" playd he jumped out of his seat and yelled: "Hey cool thats Max Steiner's King Kong! You have that?!" and I was like.. "WTF?"

He was referring to the beginning of that cue and he claims that the "3 descending notes-King Kong theme is in there"
He hummed three descending notes and again a litle higher.. tahts the classic Kong theme he said
I am not familiar with that score, do you know what he means.. can you hear a similarity??

I understand what he means and can see how he might mistake Williams' cue for King Kong but it is a bit of a stretch.

[MissPadmé]

I listened to "Defeat is only Momentary" from the new King Kong OST and I heard what he means, but it really is a littlebit of a stretch. But I find it funny that he heard that cue and immediatly thought of King Kong

[Marian Schedenig]

It shouldn't be a surprise then that today's Hollywood in Vienna, which starts out with a Steiner focus (although apparently Barry made sure that the second half will definitely be his own), will also feature The Throne Room.

[MissPadmé]

It shouldn't be a surprise then that today's Hollywood in Vienna, which starts out with a Steiner focus (although apparently Barry made sure that the second half will definitely be his own), will also feature The Throne Room.

I think they only play Casablanca...
If I would have time I would love to hear Seven Years in Tibet live... sad sad Esther...

[Marian Schedenig]

Hm, true, I'd forgotten they'd trimmed it down that much. Apparently Barry is really demanding...

[Michael]

Quick question... Is there anywhere where I can hear a live version of the Crystal Skull Theme?
As always, thanks in advance.

[indy4]

To the best of my ability, the only Indy 4 pieces that have been performed have been "Irina's Theme," "Adventures of Mutt," and "Marion's Theme (new concert version)."

Here's a new one: I own the OST to both WoK and TMP. I now also own the FSM complete release of the former, and the 20th Anniversary expanded edition of the latter. Is there any reason to keep the OSTs?

[John Crichton]

Here's a new one: I own the OST to both WoK and TMP. I now also own the FSM complete release of the former, and the 20th Anniversary expanded edition of the latter. Is there any reason to keep the OSTs?

For Khan, nope. I'm not familiar with the TMP OST but I assume it's all on the 20th anniversary release.

[indy4]

Thanks!

[Richard]

Here's a new one: I own the OST to both WoK and TMP. I now also own the FSM complete release of the former, and the 20th Anniversary expanded edition of the latter. Is there any reason to keep the OSTs?

For Khan, nope. I'm not familiar with the TMP OST but I assume it's all on the 20th anniversary release.

All tracks are on both releases, with one track (Genesis Countdown?) slightly longer on the new TWOK c.d. Personally, I NEVER get rid of any of my soundtrack c.d.s, as they complete the set.

[Michael]

To the best of my ability, the only Indy 4 pieces that have been performed have been "Irina's Theme," "Adventures of Mutt," and "Marion's Theme (new concert version)."

Oh, well... Thanks anyway.
And how about the Ark Theme? Has that one been conducted by JW live?

As always, thanks in advance.

[Nick Parker]

And how about the Ark Theme? Has that one been conducted by JW live?

As far as I know, that has never been performed live, not with John Williams conducting, anyways. The Indiana Jones pieces that are performed in concerts are:

Raiders March (usually with Marion's Theme as an interlude of sorts)
Parade of the Slave Children
Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra
Occasionally Indy's Very First Adventure (retitled to "Circus Train Chase" or something like that). Regardless of the title it assumes, it is never played that often, which I think is unfortunate.
And as indy4 said: Adventures of Mutt
Irina's Theme
Marion's Theme (new arrangement)

That is all of them, unless my memory failed me.

[Michael]

And how about the Ark Theme? Has that one been conducted by JW live?

As far as I know, that has never been performed live, not with John Williams conducting, anyways. The Indiana Jones pieces that are performed in concerts are:

Raiders March (usually with Marion's Theme as an interlude of sorts)
Parade of the Slave Children
Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra
Occasionally Indy's Very First Adventure (retitled to "Circus Train Chase" or something like that). Regardless of the title it assumes, it is never played that often, which I think is unfortunate.
And as indy4 said: Adventures of Mutt
Irina's Theme
Marion's Theme (new arrangement)

That is all of them, unless my memory failed me.

Oh, that's a shame! How is it possible that the best McGuffin theme has never been conducted by Johnny? I wish that Frank Langella told him "Why you never play this theme?" and then JW says: "Ok, I'll play it tonight" and he arranges it a few minutes before the concert and... Tadaaa!

[Delorean90]

I think "The Mine Cart Chase" would be a really good candidate for a concert setting. It features a couple of themes unique to the cue, and it's just flat a cool piece for the orchestra.

[indy4]

They'd probably have to take it waaay down tempo for the woodwinds...I think it might be a bit dissapointing to hear it live, actually.

[Delorean90]

If they could accomplish it for the recording, it can be accomplished for a performance. Now, yes, you may limit how many orchestras could play it, but I don't think there's any inherent need to slow it down for a concert. Just make sure you go hear it performed by a good orchestra.