mahler3

The inclusion of the Gerhardt arranged and conducted 'essential Williams albums' prompts me to ask everyone if they, like me, were introduced to the wonderful world of film music as a result of the ground- breaking and simply impeccable 'Classic Film Score' series? (However lest we forget his snooze inducing arrangement of Star Wars' Final Battle, don't know what he was thinking?!)

You said it!! The BAFTA crew at least had the sense to reward this 'Best Score' anyway! Shame on you Academy! Jim's New Life & Toy Planes Home & Hearth are two of his most remarkable compositions. But wait, then there's 'Imaginary Air Battle', 'Exultate Justi', 'Cadillac Of The Skies'..........or darn it, the complete score is magnificent!

My sentiments exactly Neil. Couldn't have put it better myself. The brass levels are very poor, particularly noticeable during ET Alone.

It was confirmed last week that Spielberg suddenly decided to include the original 1982 version within the standard 2 disc set. Not sure about the live performance track, but think this is a standard feature on all releases. If I were you Chris i would go for the gift set. It is beautifully packaged, and features not just the script as originally announced, but rather a complete hard back book on the creation of ET (titled from concept to classic). The senitype is nothing special, but nice to have I suppose. The cd, well we all have that anyway - At least the JP box set had special artwork for the cd's, this is just the standard booklet with the cd itself treated as a fourth disc as part of the foldout DVD case (which is magnificently presented in a shiny silver format by the way) As Jim Ware states, the third disc features some fantastic and rare Williams footage, particularly of the original recording sessions (some of them filmed by Spielberg himself) and the performance of the flying theme (and others) by Williams on the piano is a real treat. The premiere featurette again includes some magnificent footage of the maestro, and includes rare footage of him at work rehearsing with the orchestra, ultimately culmunating toward the final edited performance on the premiere night. An emotional performance to say the least! It is great to see so much of this set devoting time to Williams, which indeed should be the case as most of us would consider his contribution to the film imperative in its success. The disc 1 live performance is great to have in 5.1, but does lack the impact of the original recording IMO. I suppose this is inevitable though, as they only had one take to record it! The spaceexploration feature is strictly for kids, as you probably guessed Disc 2 also features a 37 minute documentary from the laserdisc set a few years back. It has to be said that we can always rely on great Williams content on DVD's as long as Laurent Bouzereau produces the documentaries!

Not sure, but I think Rhino's 'Superman' release was encouraged by an on-line appreciation group (can't remember what they were called though?). The info was on the unofficial John Williams pages by Scott Hanson last time I checked.

Sue Mallet (LSO concert administrator) confirms that after many attempts at enticing Williams back for a London concert, he has promised a concert during Feb 16-20 2005. Hurrah! :wow: Please see the below e-mail for your perusal: Dear Tim, I could not agree with you more and it is not for lack of trying to get him over here. The good news is that John has promised to give a series of concerts in February 05 during the period February 16 -20 which will be just after he has recorded the music with us for the last of the Star Wars series. Regards Sue Mallet Administrator London Symphony Orchestra Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8DS Tel: +44 20 7588 1116, Fax:+44 20 7374 0127 -----Original Message-----

Williams did play the piano on the original recording of Mancini's 'Peter Gunn' theme though

Yeah,Movie Boulevard knows crap.They were the ones taking in orders for the supposed complere 2 c.d. HP and the Sorcerer's Stone score that never came out. K.M. Like any retail outlet, they depend upon information from suppliers and distributors so this is what their US supplier has advised them. The Harry Potter complete was a VERY bad state of affairs, and trust me that little issue caused them to experience considerable anamosity (particularly from Warners). The same thing happened with TPM complete a couple of years back, so I now flatly refuse to believe of any further unofficial cd releases as announced by them.

Well, Dan Brecher has confirmed at a MM.com thread that the normal RC1 release really does have the original version on the second DVD. He also has confirmed that the deluxe thingy will still have THREE DVDs (i.e. they didn't count the score CD as the third disc), but it's still unclear if there will be any new stuff or if they simply put the extras on a separate DVD for that release. Thank you for that Marian

What a fantastic delight to hear this, just as I was waiting for my promo copy! Maybe all can now experience and take pleasure in some of Ross' sole compositions: My Dog Skip (my absolute favourite!) Amazing Panda Adventure My Fellow Americans The Evening Star Tuck Everlasting (marvellous music!) Yep, this definitely expands and improves upon The Philosopher's Stone!

Trade talk is very positive for Bond 20! Furthermore, according to one of the sessions French Horn players, Arnold (and Dodd) have conjured up a very exciting action score with plenty of orchestral bite! (Go London Brass!!)

There are so many different reports pertaining to this fantastic and eagerly awaited release that one can't help feeling totally confused! :? Home Theater now report that all editions feature the 1982 cut, which now makes the fancy Ultimate Gift Set almost obselete, other than the script, cd and senitype image! The features also state that there is no Spielberg/Williams collaboration featurette after all??!! Anyone have any further information or clarifications?

The total running time listed includes 20 minutes (approx.) of adverts and trailers, sorry to dissapoint (some ) www.warnervillage.co.uk also have a complete list of film times if anyone wants to book?

Movie Boulevard report that the supposed re-release on the Supertracks label has been postponed, so don't be selling your original copies as yet!!! (like I almost did, phew!)

Damn it!!!! If this is indeed true, then that would explain why Bernstein didn't play a selection at the concert last night as originally advertised! What a disgrace! Thought Scorsese and him were best mates, guessing there must have been higher forces at work! The concert was excellent by the way, pales in comparison to a Williams concert, but very enjoyable nonetheless! Met Bernstein for the second time before the show and he was as charming as ever, a lovely man. He commented on how he is totally disillusioned and frustrated with the current standard of film music, and reminised how Williams used to play the piano on a couple of his scores. I'm glad I didn't mention anything about 'Gangs Of New York'. His Guitar Concerto was a real treat, with Christopher Parkening giving us a virtuoso performance. I recommend this piece to everyone. The RPO were on fine form as per usual, but the best of it was at the end of the concert Michael Aspel, followed by tv cameras suddenly appeared just after the last encore to present Elmer with the 'This Is Your Life' red book. They sped off to the studio to record the tv show, which should be aired later in the year on BBC. Needless to say he was extremely shocked, but he deserves the recognition and praise!

Don't get me wrong, the orchestra itself is a fine ensemble. Wojkeich Kilar has done some fine work with them. It's just the 'Silva Screen Machine' that I have a problem with. I say 'machine' as their compilations are so hurried, with little rehearsal time, that the ultimate result is often undesirable. They have pulled off some recordings, but never seem to handle the 'Williams Sound' very well. Nic Raine is often too ponderous with his conducting also. The engineer's are surprisingly experienced, but I find that the final recording mix looses impact, and subsequently ends up sounding rather flat and uninspired - lacking true orchestral resonance in my opinion. .......I am now waiting for Ford A. Thaxton to shoot me down, as he's done in the past!

Ricard stated that 'veteran' applied to the regular visitors and contributors to the site from 1999/2000, so I suppose that's why. Regarding the TPM boot, drop me a mail and we can sort something out if you like?

I seem to recall a single Horn riff during the latter part of Raiders 'Desert Chase' being slightly off key. Also, the closing 6 note Horn motif of the 'Desert Duel' on the TPM bootleg featured a bum note.

Just do what I do Chris, any arrangements or re-recordings that are severely flawed (eg Orlando Pops, Philharmonic Rock or some of Prague Philarmonic's) are to be filed under: "Only bought out of interest (or completism), but hoping that they would have been at least slightly decent!!!" Tony Hatch!!! Now that would be worth hearing! LOL I would file HP2 under Williams along with JP3 and Yes Georgio.

You are obviously hooked on the distinctly BIG Zimmeresque sound that is ultimately more accessible to the masses, due to the pop/rock style complexities. Have to admit 'Backdraft' is one of my favourites from long ago! Welcome Dan! If Hans Zimmer (& co.) can entice you(and the masses) to discover more film music and its composers then I say BRAVO! The more, the merrier! (still can't persuade my fiance to like the genre though, ah well!) Check out www.musicfromthemovies.co.uk or www.filmtracks.com for a pretty comprehensive list of recommended soundtracks. Happy hunting!

On a slightly similar note, I remember reading that Jurassic Park could not be finished by Williams due to a back injury. Therefore Artie Kane assisted him, hence the gratitude note on the album sleeve. Anybody know what his precise involvement was? Just as conducter? - T-Rex & Finale = What a fabulous action cue to start your day! Defifnitely one for the am rush hour traffic boredom ;-)

You're not alone! Absolutely spot on! Particularly Harry's Wonderous World, the majesty, orchestral colour, sweeping melody (a cleverly English implication in its motif) and sheer exuberance is irresistable!

Just browsing through my regular DVD supplier's site and came accross an extra feature that looks very intriguing, and has not been printed previously. The features page states a documentary on the Williams/Spielberg collaboration is included (although as you will see it lists *tbc). What with this, the isolated score and the orchestral rehearsal featurette, this has to be the best disc yet to represent Mr. Williams. And about time too!! Here's the link: http://www.playserver2.com/play247.asp?pag...R2&title=104925

Hell's Kitchen! A glorious climax to a great cue

No, definitely Elmer Bernstein. He will be premiering a selection from the score at his London concert next month (I have high expectations!) = "Rambling Rose"