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  2.    carlborg reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  3.    carlborg reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  4.    carlborg reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  5. Tydirium
    It's interesting, the more that I think about it all; I didn't even attend the concerts and yet I have been practically glued to my screen, constantly refreshing this thread to see updates/photos/videos/reviews. These concerts mean a lot more (imo) for the legacy of John Williams (as well as the acceptance of film music) than any other event I can really think of in recent history. The Vienna Philharmonic has a bit of a reputation of being thought of as perhaps the most elitist/snobbiest orchestra (no offense to Austrian forum users!), the pinnacle of "proper" classical music-making—so to see John Williams ascend this seemingly insurmountable feat of getting this orchestra to play two concerts of nothing but his film music, and having the musicians standing there clapping wildly for him with smiles on their faces... It's a pretty breathtaking accomplishment. It feels like the world is different today than it was two days ago. I've always thought that Williams music deserves to be held in the same high regard as many of the Romantic masters, and as a classical music fan (and musician) I've longed to see some of his film music pieces start to seep into the concert hall and gradually become mainstays of the repertoire. These concerts are a titanic step in the right direction. It feels in a way that Williams has finally conquered the classical world—after all, if your music is "good enough" for the VPO to play it, then who else could possibly ever deem it unworthy?! The critics? Who cares about them. Audiences pay (and pay handsomely) to see Williams' compositions, and orchestras are starting to figure that out with the advent of live-to-picture concerts. These concerts show that even in the heart of the classical music world—in the "City of Music", with all its historicity and traditions and its famous-composer graves—that John Williams sells. And I'd wager that even if Williams himself wasn't conducting (he won't be around forever), the concerts would have still made a respectable sum and sold well. It is always so ironic to me that the people crying from the rooftops that "Classical music is dying, whatever are we going to do?!" are the same ones who want to incessantly program postmodernist trash as their only idea of "new music"—and yet it's been shown time and time again that film music (at least great film music, like JW's), sells, and is a great way to introduce people to the orchestra and to classical music. There is a clear antidote to the prospect of classical music "dying"—program stuff that people actually want to hear! Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky's ballet works were not always accepted in the concert hall, and yet nowadays you can't go a season without seeing a "Nutcracker" or a "Rite of Spring" or "Firebird Suite". History repeats itself; what we are facing today in regards to film music is little more the same aversion to change, all over again. The irony being that this sort of concert hall gatekeeping is being done nowadays by the very people who like to claim how "new" and inventive their music is, when in reality it's the same tired mix of atonal crowd-killers we've been hearing for decades now. Opera and ballet were once "popular" art forms, and their staples eventually made their way onto the concert hall stage in the form of overtures and suites, respectively. So too will (I hope) film music like JW's. One day I hope it is commonplace to see an orchestra concert that has (for example) the STAR WARS "Main Title" as its "overture", and then a concerto followed by a symphony after intermission. If orchestras truly want to bring people into classical music, then give them a taste of something familiar/popular, and maybe they'll stick around for the classics. Rather than scare them out of the building by intermission, never to come back, because their idea of "classical music" is now either super-light cliche classical, or downright atonality, with no middle ground. Annnyways, these concerts mean a lot to me and I think, hopefully, a lot in regards to the overall acceptance of Williams' music in the hall. Last year's double DG releases (Dudamel's live all-JW concert program with the LA Phil, and then the violin arrangements album with ASM) certainly helped, as well; they are probably the "gold standard" classical music label, so to have them willing to put out multiple albums of his music in a year is not a bad sign at all. And back on the concert hall front, Stephane Deneve (a good friend of JW's) is the new Music Director of St. Louis, and he just did a regular subscription program which featured "Hedwig's Theme" alongside other classical staples, and is taking that same program to Philly in the coming months if I recall correctly! He's got the right idea; hopefully others will be moved/relieved at the sight of the VPO applauding and respecting Williams, and will start to follow suit in their programming. But things are looking up, and I couldn't be happier. I hope I'm not just going crazy/I hope some others here share my views on this(?).
  6.    BuzzLightyear reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  7. Jurassic Shark
    You should!
  8. Gruesome Son of a Bitch
    Never saw it.
  9. Gruesome Son of a Bitch
    The film version of AOTC ending with the Imperial March is better than the original.
  10.    GlastoEls reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  11. Jurassic Shark
    The Muppets (2011) with Jason Segel and Amy Adams is quite good, though!
  12. St0rMl0rD
    I'm still in shock. Recovering from what feels like a dream (not even listening to any music still), but what I can say is that a big thing about this concert was hearing what one of the best orchestras is able to do under John’s own guidance. Playing without amplification, with music going from players straight to you, gives it the maximum range of dynamics, emotional opportunities and the immense delivery of power. John’s music is incredibly dynamic, so an orchestra like Vienna Philharmonic emphasises this, under his direction, to deliver nuances ranging from gentlest tones to projection of raw power of percussion and brass that can blow you away and push you back in your seat. I’ve never heard anything like this in my life and there are no words to describe it, really. My idea of music, orchestras and emotional power live music can have, has been completely changed. And as a composer, even more so. Unreal.
  13.    jocores reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  14.    St0rMl0rD reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  15. Gruesome Son of a Bitch
    Muppet Treasure Island Disney+ has Muppets, so what the hell. I remembered this one being amusing and having a good Hans Zimmer score. It's just like I remembered. They were never the same after Henson croaked, but this one turned out the best for me. The issue with these later ones is that they focused on human characters with the Muppets in supporting roles, but this one at least has Tim Curry as Long John. He's fantastic! There is a lot of crude humor that rides the line between traditional Muppets and edgier for 90s crowd and even some odd sexual innuendos despite the Disneyness of it all, but I think it works. The songs are good, it looks awesome and it's nice seeing these old pals in one last solid flick.
  16.    ChrisAfonso reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  17.    crocodile reacted to a post in a topic: Soundtracks, Compilations, or other recently purchased Music
  18.    St0rMl0rD reacted to a post in a topic: John Williams to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic - January 18/19 2020
  19. Alexcremers
    Here's the real reason why Drax loves The Goodbye Girl.
  20. TheUlyssesian
    Out of all the problems I have with TLJ, I have absolutely none with Luke's portrayal at all. None whatsoever. Luke is a side character in the sequel trilogy. I think fans just have to accept that.
  21. Gruesome Son of a Bitch
    I don't frequent many other websites. This one definitely aligned with my interests the most when I started reading it. Film music and Star Trek quotes. These days not as much, but it's still my first tap of the day.
  22. Today
  23. Jurassic Shark
    Nice. How many jewel cases were damaged?
  24. Naïve Old Fart
    No, but you do need to be a cunt.
  25. GlastoEls
    These reviews are all fantastic to hear. I leave Vienna with a mixed and heavy feeling as I received some bad family news immediately before the concerts which compromised my ability to truly relax. I’m hoping for that to fade as my memory of the concerts becomes more vivid! I really loved the forum meet up!
  26. Naïve Old Fart
    I saw the STAR WARS/EMPIRE double bill, at the Leicester Square Theatre, in 1982. It was a nice cinema. The Odeon Leicester Square's screen was still bigger.
  27. Alexcremers
  28. Þekþiþm
    It's just Star Wars anyway, so who cares?
  29. Alexcremers
    We had three years to imagine a better movie (from 1980 to 1983) so it really stood no chance.
  30. DarthDementous
    Him being old has nothing to do with it. People change through experience but rarely does their entire character and personality change, and if it does then why are we now following a completely different character from what was established? Why not make a new character at that point?
  31. Þekþiþm
    Yeah but cool movie posters can help you imagine a better movie.
  32. mrbellamy
    There is nothing out there, dear! Who do you imagine wants to attack children such as yourself?
  33. Arpy
    Luke is an old man in TLJ, why can't people recognise that the same way they do for Han and Leia?
  34. Josh500
    Jackpot! 😅
  35. Alexcremers
    Not sure if we're talking about the same theatre but this one had a great screen supported by a fantastic projector. Too bad the movie wasn't so good.
  36. Þekþiþm
    It saves me money because it means fewer scores I want to buy.
  37. carlborg
    Certainly the same here! My first time seeing JW conducting, and had tears in my eyes in numerous pieces, and goosebumps in the rest. I certainly agree with you re. the feeling among the public - it was as though you were in a hall where everyone is your friend!
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