John Williams Conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra - May 4 2016

[Joe Brausam 228]

The Philadelphia Orchestra announced their 2015-2016 season today and announced that John Williams will be conducting the orchestra for a benefit concert on May 4th 2016.

Totally getting myself backstage for this, hahaha. Awesome!

https://www.philorch.org/concert/john-williams?date=2016-05-04_20-00#/

[Jay 42,491]

Wow that's pretty advance planning

[King Mark 3,834]

phew. I guess he's not dying after all

Maybe he'll score Episode 8 too

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

The BPO should take note!

phew. I guess he's not dying after all

Who knows! You should see a concert while you still can! Tanglewood isnt very far you know!

[Miguel Andrade 1,527]

The Philadelphia Orchestra announced their 2015-2016 season today and announced that John Williams will be conducting the orchestra for a benefit concert on May 4th 2016.

Totally getting myself backstage for this, hahaha. Awesome!

https://www.philorch.org/concert/john-williams?date=2016-05-04_20-00#/

And this:

Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève Presents a Two-Week Tribute to John Williams with Subscription Concerts featuring Yo-Yo Ma and a Special Benefit Concert with the Legendary Composer Himself on the Podium

[nightscape94 967]

For your viewing pleasure

[JWfangirl1992 18]

Wow that's pretty advance planning

I'm so glad you said this because since it was announced I assumed it was for 2015 and kept wondering why ticket information hasn't been released yet. Well that explains it, haha. Yeah this is really far in advance. Plenty of time to clear my not busy calendar!

[Foxfan 188]

The great thing about Philly is that for us on the Northeast, it represents the first opportunity to see John Williams' face while he conducts from behind the orchestra if you get seats in the Terrace/Choir section in Verizon Hall. Boston, Tanglewood or Lincoln Centre don't have such seating arrangements.

[Joe Brausam 228]

This is true! The conductor's circle seating can be pretty fun.

Verizon Hall is massive too. Lots of room for seating there.

[Foxfan 188]

Does anyone know what date single tickets will become available? I just booked a return flight for the very next morning for very few points and only $5.60 in taxes just to be safe.

[Joe Brausam 228]

I got an email saying the date, but I think I deleted it...

[nightscape94 967]

If I'm not mistaken, single tickets usually go on sale toward the end of August.

[JWfangirl1992 18]

It is only 40 minutes away from my house so I am incredibly excited about this, especially now that you guys said that I can sit facing Williams!

If single tickets go on sale end of August when do you think non-single tickets will go on sale?

Fingers crossed that his back is better by then!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

Ok, tell you what. I'll take you a picture of Lockheart and Newman in Tanglewood you take me one of JW there!

[JWfangirl1992 18]

Ok, tell you what. I'll take you a picture of Lockheart and Newman in Tanglewood you take me one of JW there!

Haha deal!

[Foxfan 188]

It is only 40 minutes away from my house so I am incredibly excited about this, especially now that you guys said that I can sit facing Williams!

If single tickets go on sale end of August when do you think non-single tickets will go on sale?

Fingers crossed that his back is better by then!

If you buy a subscription (usually around 6 concerts for the regular Philadelphia Orchestra season), you can immediately access the presale.

[BloodBoal 7,544]

John Williams cancels May 4th 2016 concert appearance due to back problems

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

You bastard!

[BloodBoal 7,544]

I don't see what's the problem with announcing that piece of news a bit early.

[JWfangirl1992 18]

That was just cruel lol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

Indeed!

[nightscape94 967]

Got an email that tickets go on sale to the general public this Thursday at noon. Single tickets are available now to subscribers.

[Joe Brausam 228]

The orchestra will be live streaming their annual "Free Neighborhood Concert" tomorrow night at 6pm.

Stéphane Denève will be conducting - he's been conducting a lot of Williams lately, actually. The concert will open with "Sound the Bells". It looks like a real fun program!

philorch.org/livestream

Williams - Sound the Bells

Higdon - blue cathedral (with LiveNote)

Bernstein - Overture to Candide

Berlioz - "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath," from Symphonie fantastique

Ravel - La Valse (with LiveNote)

[nightscape94 967]

Oooh, I'll be home from work! Thanks for the heads up Joe.

[Foxfan 188]

$200 to $230 per ticket... ouch!

It's too far out for me to commit.

[peter.anschutz 43]

Yikes, that's a bit steep for me I think, especially if there's a chance he'll cancel. On the other hand, I've only seen Williams in concert once and it'd be great to see him again.

Philadelphia is about a 5 hour drive for me, so I won't have much of a travel cost besides hotel (or I can be cheap and just drive back home that night). Hmm, I'll definitely have to think about it.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

Don't risk it!

[Thor 9,308]

I haven't given up seeing John Williams live one last time, but I'm going to wait untill he's back on his feet again (time for you to chime in again, Stefan, with a "that's never going to happen. He will die tomorrow"-type post).

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

You really seem to have the wrong idea about me.

[nightscape94 967]

Bit of a change.

 

Program update and artist change: John Williams May 4, 2016

Five-time Academy Award and 22-time Grammy Award-winning composer John Williams and Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève will now share the podium in this special one-night-only concert. John Williams will conduct the concluding highlights of the concert featuring selections from Star Wars and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Due to his recent composing schedule, he has entrusted the remainder of the repertoire to his good friend Stéphane Denève. We are excited to announce that the concert, which includes selections from movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial, also features exclusive video interviews with the composer about his work, a selection of film clips presented with some of Williams's iconic movie themes, and a unique demonstration on the art of film scoring.   John Willams Wednesday, May 4 8:00 PM Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts The Philadelphia Orchestra Stéphane Denève Conductor Hai-Ye Ni Cello Sound the Bells! Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind "Sayuri's Theme" and "Brush on Silk," from Memoirs of a Geisha "Harry's Wondrous World," from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone "Night Journeys," from Dracula "Adventures on Earth," from E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial "The Raiders March," from Raiders of the Lost Ark Excerpt from The Book Thief "The Barrel Chase Sequence," from Jaws The Philadelphia Orchestra John Williams Conductor "March of the Resistance" and "Rey's Theme," from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens "Throne Room" and Finale, from Star Wars Maestro Williams, Maestro Denève, and the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra are graciously donating their services for this concert.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

Is if my phone? Or is the formatting of that last post seriously screwed up?

[nightscape94 967]

Looks fine on the web browser.  I did copy it from my email, so there may have been something lost in translation when it comes to the phone formatting.

[Jay 42,491]

Its your phone.  Looks fine to me.

[Tom 5,616]

14 minutes ago, nightscape94 said:

Bit of a change.

 

Program update and artist change: John Williams May 4, 2016

Five-time Academy Award and 22-time Grammy Award-winning composer John Williams and Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève will now share the podium in this special one-night-only concert. John Williams will conduct the concluding highlights of the concert featuring selections from Star Wars and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Due to his recent composing schedule, he has entrusted the remainder of the repertoire to his good friend Stéphane Denève. We are excited to announce that the concert, which includes selections from movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial, also features exclusive video interviews with the composer about his work, a selection of film clips presented with some of Williams's iconic movie themes, and a unique demonstration on the art of film scoring.   John Willams Wednesday, May 4 8:00 PM Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts The Philadelphia Orchestra Stéphane Denève Conductor Hai-Ye Ni Cello Sound the Bells! Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind "Sayuri's Theme" and "Brush on Silk," from Memoirs of a Geisha "Harry's Wondrous World," from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone "Night Journeys," from Dracula "Adventures on Earth," from E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial "The Raiders March," from Raiders of the Lost Ark Excerpt from The Book Thief "The Barrel Chase Sequence," from Jaws The Philadelphia Orchestra John Williams Conductor "March of the Resistance" and "Rey's Theme," from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens "Throne Room" and Finale, from Star Wars Maestro Williams, Maestro Denève, and the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra are graciously donating their services for this concert.

Excellent lineup.  I am glad Dracula and the Book Thief are making appearances.  Not sure about the state reason for Williams' limited conducting.  Why not just say it is not physically good for him to stand and conduct for two hours. 

[Incanus 5,858]

That's a fantastic programme! Dracula, The Book Thief, Memoirs of a Geisha and music from TFA!

[Joni Wiljami 1,233]

It is indeed wonderful! And with this brilliant orchestra...oh dear.

 

The Book Thief 

[Incanus 5,858]

29 minutes ago, hornist said:

It is indeed wonderful! And with this brilliant orchestra...oh dear.

 

The Book Thief 

Don't forget your favourite (and mine) Close Encounters!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

10 hours ago, Tom said:

Why not just say it is not physically good for him to stand and conduct for two hours. 

 

There is a taboo on old age and ill health in western society?

[Incanus 5,858]

3 minutes ago, Stefancos said:

There is a taboo on old age and ill health in western society?

I guess some sense of decorum and good manners still persists.

 

Not everything has to be a detailed expose on the person's life and current medical condition.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

Its also not great for ticket sales.

[Incanus 5,858]

Yeah that too.

 

It doesn't sound very flattering if you say things like:

"We are sad to announce that the artist can't unfortunately conduct the entire programme this evening due to extreme old age, frailty of body and slowly creeping dotage, which renders him rather ineffective and powerless during most of his waking hours. Such dear people are the vagaries of the old age."

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,949]

So in essence you are answered your own  question, with my help.

 

 

I'm like a psychologist!

[Incanus 5,858]

But I didn't even ask any question!

 

And I am glad you have found this empowering!

[Amer 2,531]

The Concert program sounds very nice. I hope they manage to record this for a future video release someday.

[Tom 5,616]

6 hours ago, Incanus said:

I guess some sense of decorum and good manners still persists.

 

Not everything has to be a detailed expose on the person's life and current medical condition.

I understand the good manners part.  Perhaps I am looking for a more convincing white lie.  He is in the building, he rehearsed with the orchestra earlier in the day.  Nobody is going to buy the "needs extra time to compose" excuse. 

[Maurizio 5,893]

30 minutes ago, Tom said:

I understand the good manners part.  Perhaps I am looking for a more convincing white lie.  He is in the building, he rehearsed with the orchestra earlier in the day.  Nobody is going to buy the "needs extra time to compose" excuse. 

 

It could be a variety of factors at play, you know. JW's schedule is always pretty busy. It could very well be that he will arrive in Philly just for the concert and don't have time to rehearse the full program in first person (as he likely prefers to do). In addition to that, I wouldn't be surprised if he still has a couple of sessions for The BFG (the film will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May) between now and then.

[nightscape94 967]

Can't wait for Dracula!

 

1 hour ago, TownerFan said:

It could very well be that he will arrive in Philly just for the concert and don't have time to rehearse the full program in first person (as he likely prefers to do).

 

It's unlikely that he'll just show up and suddenly conduct three pieces without having met the players and had been in the rehearsal with them.

[Scarpia 132]

On 31/3/2016 at 11:13 AM, nightscape94 said:

It's unlikely that he'll just show up and suddenly conduct three pieces without having met the players and had been in the rehearsal with them.

 

I agree, but I'm also sure that Williams is accostumed to work with those really good orchestras you have in the US in a rather short rehearsal schedule, pretty much as he does when recording a film score. He always knows very well what he wants and is able to comunicate it effectively. The pieces should be ready for performance in a single rehearsal, I believe.

[nightscape94 967]

This is not related to the Williams concert, but rather one of the performances surrounding it that includes his Cello Concerto.  Not sure if this was posted to the site yet, but The Philly Orchestra posted this back in October on their Youtube page and I completely missed it.  It's a short rehearsal for "Tributes! For Seiji"

 

 

[zoltan_902 162]

 

Holy CRAP! He looks 120 years old in this video. I know he's 84, but he looks particularly aged, and even a bit gaunt, as if he lost a lost of weight.