Chances are, John Williams' fans listen to his movie scores a lot more than he does, yet even the composer had to turn up the volume for a recent Volkswagen commercial with a dozen dogs barking Darth Vader's Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back.
As far as the strangest versions of his music go, "I think that takes the record. I got a big kick out of that," Williams says with a chuckle.
John Williams interview on USA Today
Started by Maurizio, Feb 20 2012 04:15 PM
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#1
Maurizio
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 04:15 PM
http://www.usatoday....rack/53160208/1
"It's still baffling to me. I sit down with a pencil and a piece of paper and do my best... The remarkable thing is that my music is heard by billions of people." --John Williams
"Let me say, however, there is no "next" John Williams. Sadly, he is unique--- a figure who simultaneously embodies and transcends the music of all the masters of film music who preceded him (much like Brahms and Wagner of the Romantic era). He comes from a time when the craft of music in film was still one of the ear, heart and mind. Today, sadly, the craft is largely technical. Most composers do not conceive their music "inwardly" but rather at the computer--- and with rather limited skills, musically, at that. The inner spirit knows no boundaries--- our plastic abilities, sadly, do. John is a man of spirit, heart, intellect and soaring music." -- Conrad Pope about John Williams
"Let me say, however, there is no "next" John Williams. Sadly, he is unique--- a figure who simultaneously embodies and transcends the music of all the masters of film music who preceded him (much like Brahms and Wagner of the Romantic era). He comes from a time when the craft of music in film was still one of the ear, heart and mind. Today, sadly, the craft is largely technical. Most composers do not conceive their music "inwardly" but rather at the computer--- and with rather limited skills, musically, at that. The inner spirit knows no boundaries--- our plastic abilities, sadly, do. John is a man of spirit, heart, intellect and soaring music." -- Conrad Pope about John Williams
#2
Incanus
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 04:33 PM
A very nice tribute to Williams! 
Thanks for the link Maurizio!
Thanks for the link Maurizio!
Ars superior est vita hominum.
"We pop out and come into the world and music is there. We didn't invent it - it's all organised in the atmosphere by divinity or whatever. It's a miracle." - John Williams-
I think music is a stream of some kind. It could be blood. It could be water. It could be ether. Whatever it is it seems to be a living, organic force that’s in motion, that serves humanity and is part of humanity and part of what describes us as humans. We sing, play, dance, all the things that we do. And there is a vibrant and great literature we have been given. ... As musicians, we join the stream. We swim in the stream with all the other millions of music makers. It’s a life force, a strong one, surrounding us and we are part of it. -John Williams-
#3
indy4
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 06:53 PM
Thanks for the link! A few interesting points:
- Lincoln records in May!
- Williams has a collection of antique music stands
- Williams is a Red Socks fan
- the Red Socks sent him a seat from Fenway park
- he and his wife are dog fans/rescuers
- Lincoln records in May!
- Williams has a collection of antique music stands
- Williams is a Red Socks fan
- the Red Socks sent him a seat from Fenway park
- he and his wife are dog fans/rescuers
Recently Purchased CDs:
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#4
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 06:58 PM
Yup! I wonder if Johnny has composed a dog rescuing fanfare for his wife. 
Ars superior est vita hominum.
"We pop out and come into the world and music is there. We didn't invent it - it's all organised in the atmosphere by divinity or whatever. It's a miracle." - John Williams-
I think music is a stream of some kind. It could be blood. It could be water. It could be ether. Whatever it is it seems to be a living, organic force that’s in motion, that serves humanity and is part of humanity and part of what describes us as humans. We sing, play, dance, all the things that we do. And there is a vibrant and great literature we have been given. ... As musicians, we join the stream. We swim in the stream with all the other millions of music makers. It’s a life force, a strong one, surrounding us and we are part of it. -John Williams-
#5
indy4
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 07:10 PM
Recently Purchased CDs:
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#6
Luke Skywalker
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 07:25 PM
um indy... the red socks fanship...is sooooooo widely known...
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#7
indy4
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 07:34 PM
Really? I guess I haven't been paying attention.
Recently Purchased CDs:
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#8
Genius_Gone_Insane
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 07:35 PM
Bold below is crucial. Unfortunately, the music industry has not yet come to terms with this.
'The humble Williams may never say so, but Giacchino feels that 50 years from now, historians will look at him as a modern Mozart, another popular musical star of his own era with memorable melodies and an astounding influence. "In those days, you had the church hiring the composers, and now you have the studios hiring the composers," Giacchino says.'
'The humble Williams may never say so, but Giacchino feels that 50 years from now, historians will look at him as a modern Mozart, another popular musical star of his own era with memorable melodies and an astounding influence. "In those days, you had the church hiring the composers, and now you have the studios hiring the composers," Giacchino says.'
Stop hating Star Wars
#9
Luke Skywalker
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 08:35 PM
Giacchino rules!
Really? I guess I haven't been paying attention.
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#10
indy4
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 08:40 PM
Whoa, where's that photo from? When he conducted at the World Series?
Recently Purchased CDs:
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#11
Luke Skywalker
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 10:21 PM
i think it was when he got the honor of throwing the 1st ball in a game or something.
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#12
indy4
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 10:23 PM
Cool! When was that?
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1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#13
Luke Skywalker
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 10:27 PM
i dont know. i just put john williams red socks on google because i remembered that happening, but i didnt found the article.
im sure someone here will have the exact info
im sure someone here will have the exact info
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#14
E.T. & Elliott
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SUPERVISED AND APPROVED BY JOHN WILLIAMS
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 10:39 PM
May 2003, he threw out the opening pitch at a Sox game.
#15
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Posted 21 February 2012 - 03:20 AM
That's awesome...I wish it was on YouTube.
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1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#16
Luke Skywalker
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Posted 21 February 2012 - 08:29 PM
William's Big Pitch
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#17
Incanus
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Posted 22 February 2012 - 05:14 AM
William's Big Pitch
I would expect it to sound like the beginning of Remembering Childhood from Hook.
Ars superior est vita hominum.
"We pop out and come into the world and music is there. We didn't invent it - it's all organised in the atmosphere by divinity or whatever. It's a miracle." - John Williams-
I think music is a stream of some kind. It could be blood. It could be water. It could be ether. Whatever it is it seems to be a living, organic force that’s in motion, that serves humanity and is part of humanity and part of what describes us as humans. We sing, play, dance, all the things that we do. And there is a vibrant and great literature we have been given. ... As musicians, we join the stream. We swim in the stream with all the other millions of music makers. It’s a life force, a strong one, surrounding us and we are part of it. -John Williams-
#18
Michael
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Posted 22 February 2012 - 03:01 PM
I would expect it to sound like the beginning of Remembering Childhood from Hook.
Is that a hint?? Yes, it must be!
Everyone go crazy, Incanus confirmed it!
If you start taking yourself seriously, then you’re in deep trouble! - Jerry Goldsmith
#19
astonexperience
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Posted 22 February 2012 - 03:45 PM
Hi All,
Lets hope that the Academy had heard about this article and we get a nice surprise and War Horse takes best score.
Lets hope that the Academy had heard about this article and we get a nice surprise and War Horse takes best score.
#20
stewdog1
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Posted 23 February 2012 - 03:55 PM
Nice article, thanks for sharing.
I would love it if we could get a Ken Burns film about the life of John Williams? Or heck, I would be happy with a Ken Burns film about soundtrack composers in general. Maybe a three part film two hours each.
I would love it if we could get a Ken Burns film about the life of John Williams? Or heck, I would be happy with a Ken Burns film about soundtrack composers in general. Maybe a three part film two hours each.
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