Toronto

It is palpable for sure (his speech), but he has had hints of that for some time now---though very remarkable at his age with what he gone through. He's a fighter both on body and spirit! I was a little bit amused when he talked about his relationship with Spielberg and I could not help but notice the body language of Samantha when he talked about a really good marriage. We of course have heard this many times (as I'm sure she has)---there was definitely a shift in her body language, albeit subtle and perhaps not even conscious of it. Since reading his biography, it peppers how we might see this stuff now.

I made a similar comment a while back and I got jumped on right away. You'll start to learn on here there are certain things you can't say because it triggers some. Remember that most of the time it says more about where that person is coming from and I give grace in my mind to them even though it feels like it's not the case with us when we make these comments. I agree with you. It is sad to see the massive change in him. It's the way his eyes look now that are really different for me. Having said all that, the most recent photo though, in my opinion, probably looks or I should say makes it appear as though he is worse because of the lighting in the photo. I find the lighting is a lot to do with it. His recent photos backstage at the Boston Symphony look much better. I made a similar comment a while back and I got jumped on right away. You'll start to learn on here there are certain things you can't say because it triggers some. Remember that most of the time it says more about where that person is coming from and I give grace in my mind to them even though it feels like it's not the case with us when we make these comments. I agree with you. It is sad to see the massive change in him. It's the way his eyes look now that are really different for me. Having said all that, the most recent photo though, in my opinion, probably looks or I should say makes it appear as though he is worse because of the lighting in the photo. I find the lighting is a lot to do with it. His recent photos backstage at the Boston Symphony look much better. For the record, I think this might have beem his last public appearance on video? Perhaps I am mistaken.

Yes I noticed the monitors too. Actually it's a good thing that he is monitoring things so that his health is currently being checked on a daily basis. He looked pretty good there a couple weeks ago in Boston. I always find that lighting has a big deal of influence when it comes to photos, so I tend to think he's probably better than the photo shows us. It's wonderful that we got this photo.

I made my wife and I the JW lunch. Those are bread and butter deli sliced pickles. I just could not bring myself to drink any orange soda as it is usually full of food colourings and sugar. I opted for the orange San Pelegrino with far less sugar and all natural ingredients. I assume JW uses good quality sliced turkey deli meat and not an actual turkey breast? His brother Don once commented that JW likes Perrier water too. It was delicious. The chips make a nice side. Glenn Gould also had the same meal every day. Geniuses are like that. Happy Birthday to JW. What a hole will be left in our hearts when he is no longer with us. Until that day comes....hopefully a long time yet....let us enjoy every moment we can see him.

He looks splendid! An obvious glint in his eyes are back and honestly, his face and overall body looks like it has returned somewhat to what we was like prior to his most recent health issue. Tim saw John a year ago at John's home and John was standing in those photos. I wonder if Tim can comment on that---was he able to walk on his own to some degree, or just standing with assistance for pictures? I would assume if he was, even that is improving now, hopefully. All of this begins 2026 with optimism. I wonder if JW has plans in his mind for a conducting opportunity. I'm sure he misses it as evidenced by his gesturing. By the way Tim, I grew up in a city VERY close to Fort Frances, ON where Mr. Nagle was living for a time. I have connections with people both in Winnipeg and Fort Frances. I'm going to "infra dig" into this a little. I thought you might like that clever reference. It's sure a small world. I was pinching myself reading about that in your book. Even though Winnipeg, MB has a symphony orchestra, I highly doubt Mr. Williams made his way there or near there, other than his conducting gigs in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal (was Calgary, AB one of them too?). For those in the Eastern US and Canada, stay warm and ready the snowblowers!

Yes I have many a pictures here with Gould. Now I get your joke. When John recorded here, he was initially quite frustrated with the recording sessions. This is what Shawn Murphy is referring to when Tim spoke with him. Members of the TMC remember JW not holding back about the lack of headphones for the entire choir. One members described it as John having a 'schnit.' Lol. Once he got over it, he ended up having to give what ones he did have to the section leaders to use and the rest would rely on them to follow along. I can't blame the man. I would be frustrated too. Having said that, he was super impressed with the the choir and acoustics, which are still highly regarded as some of the best in North America in that studio, which is right across from where the Blue Jays won the world series in 93. It would have been a loud area at the time. Sorry. Big baseball Blue Jay fan here. Could not resist the opportunity to put that there.

I would hardly say CDN dollars are worthless. Maybe not where USD is poised, but I can think of other currencies far below.

Tim, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you very much for the edification and providing this very interesting and never seen before information. Your ability to produce these articles made my day and others on here. I just wish John Williams had return to Canada since those days while he was still able. I was fortunate to be in Pittsburgh when he conducted in fall of 2023, Cleveland in 2022 where I hung around with Paul Lavender (I am sure you know who that is) and shared stories with him and his lovely wife about JW. Those memories I will always cherish. Oh Canada indeed!

It was never confirmed either way about him being in Montreal. The reality is, a lot of people just assume it was him. Even the Toronto Symphony rumor is just that....no photographic evidence. Perhaps Tim can confirm all the orchestras he as been to in Canada once and for all.

Hi Tim Greiving, This is for you if you ever see it. I also have some pictures of when JW was here at what was at the time a revolutionary new sound studio, The Glen Gould Studio in Toronto, ON, Canada. It had just opened and he flew to Toronto around fall of 1993 just to work and use the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for Schindler's List. The World Series was on at the time and the Blue Jays won it that year---I am sure he experienced the fervor of the city. I digress... Anyway, Shawn Murphy was also here with him. I have pictures of them in the studio. The choir was used but did not make the end credits for some reason. I am still awaiting your book to arrive up here....I just thought this was a neat bit of info for you the next time you see him you might want to pick his brain as to how he discovered the TMC of all choirs and of all places? (not that I'm complaining). Also, he was rumoured to have conducted to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at a last minute type of thing around 1980? Don't know if this can be confirmed? Other than his time in the North East Air Command Band in Newfoundland and writing the score for "You're Welcome," I don't know if he has been anywhere in Canada to conduct? It does strike me as odd as to why he hasn't been to Canada far more often to guest conduct considering we are your friendly northern neighbours with a great love and respect for him--and not that far away, especially Vancouver! When I was backstage with him at the CSO in 2018 along with Richard Kauffman, I asked him if he would consider coming back to Canada to conduct. He didn't give me a very promising yes then...lol. Thanks.

We can call it censorship, virtue signaling, insert whatever you want, etc. At the end of the day, there is a big hypocrisy in telling us what we should or should not talk about. I see people post things on here on a regular basis that could also be fall under what you're talking about and you and others don't say anything about it. I have no issue with the person showing a picture of John Williams's face and suggesting using it as a bust but this is the exact kind of picture recently where his health isn't as great and then it's okay for that to go through without saying anything? You can argue that it's not the same situation but I can draw my own parallels. Perspective is everything. To quote an old Beatles song, why don't we just all Let It Be?

You act as if you speak for him personally or represent him. You are welcome to your perspective. I am welcome to mine. Thank you for sharing this. I find it incredulous to me that here, things like Alzheimer's is even mentioned or postulated and no one has a reply or comment tied to it. The minute I say something coming from the same, curious place, I get jumped on. For the record, I have/had no issue with your comment.

Let me try and be civil about this. For me, you come across as very patronizing. I have not been disrespectful. My question is not disrespectful. This, I or anyone else does not need any type of virtue signaling. If you don't have the information I'm looking for you don't need to comment, simply move along your day. This is not some sort of ubiquitous forum like Instagram or something of that nature where millions of eyes are abound. I am not insulting Williams or saying anything that no one else hasn't though about. You're missing the nuance. I would just simply like to know, as many others would, what could possibly cause such a drastic change other than just natural aging) less than a year and a half, and wondering perhaps if anyone close to him has an idea. This would at least give people an idea if it's something that he can bounce back enough that maybe he could conduct or something down the road.

Thanks but this is exactly the type of response I was not looking to attract. I know the deal about life expectancy...I simply want to know if it is a stroke or something else that would cause the drastic change in his face because it is very palpable.

Whether it's taboo or any of the other things that people want to say I would just like to know just to better understand his situation even just as a learning piece for me with my aging parents or for myself when I get older. What on Earth happened to him that's causing his eyes to look so different. The loss of muscle mass is normal at this age and to be honest he still looks to be in pretty good shape considering his age. It is the blank stare in the eyes that is so different. Would that be from a stroke? Tim has met with John Williams recently I'm sure John has not hid from him what has happened to him. Enough people have visited him. I would have expected by now we would have had confirmation about what has happened. Yes, people get older and obviously it's a natural part of aging that is caused this decline, but it is a stark contrast in just a year and a bit. And I just hope people don't reply to this post with the usual admonishment or questioning why one would ask. Again this is just coming from more of an edification point of view to understand what the direct cause would be for such a change to better grapple with my own aging.