SteveMc

A perfectly lovely late-flowering masterpiece. It's a pleasure to listen to.

Sleepers by John Williams
Decided to give the score my first listen, seeing as how you guys have been discussing it.  A pretty good score, nothing earth-shattering, but I find some of the orchestral material to be quite interesting, well-executed.  The electronics are not as engaging for me as JFK, but still quite impressive considering they are not really in JWs comfort zone.  What the score is missing are two or three thematic identities for the listener to latch onto.  I think if Williams paired the varied textures of the score with variations on a couple of strong themes the result would be more than striking.  

This is an absolutely gorgeous album of modern music. The Cello Concerto has a wide range of emotion and is complex and deep and the final two works are absolutely gorgeous!  Highly recommended.  I can't find it on youtube but here it is on spotify.
 

Thanks.
 
I haven't been even been here too long, but because everyone's character is easily shown on the forum, I feel like I know you all better than some people I see everyday. Thanks. You're my social support. Before this I knew very few people who simply appreciated the music and films that I do, so this has been a great opportunity for me, being able to chat and post with fellow admirers. 
Thanks.

You call it shitposting, I call it camaraderie. (It's also not people who are bored and have nothing to say - we were like this in the early 2000s too).
 
It's the reason I've come to this forum for 19 years, over half of my life.  It's also the reason that I don't bother with forums like FSM, which is, yes, far less silly, but also boring and much more genuinely mean-spirited.
 
I also think that the level of musical knowledge at JWFan, and the level of the discourse around music, has gone up over the past 10 years or so - people who write music, who can intelligently talk about music, etc.  There's MORE of that now, in my opinion.

Grand, there are other corner’s of the Internet if you’re not happy here. 
 
I you want dry discussion where random scores from b list movies are treated as holy grails FSM is there for you.
 
There is loads of great insight on this forum. Loads of it. But there’s also a good deal of craic to be had which is what makes this place appealing. 
 
There’s one or two posters who take the shitposting a bit too far but they’re easily identified and if you use the ignore function you’ll cut them out and miss nothing. 

A surprising choice, to say the least...

The movies I watched last week:
Clear and Present Danger
Okay.  Decent as far as action-dramas go.  The cinematography feels too saturated at times.  Some good sequences, and Ford and Dafoe deliver respectable performances.  Nicely structured movie. 3/4
 
Patriot Games
Pretty good, methinks.  The movie certainly is dark.  Ford really sells Jack Ryan, quite impressively.  The plot is a tad far fetched, but there is no denying its suspense and impact.  I fault the boat chase: it would have been better to have an ending more reflective of the book's.  Now, Horner's score.  I believe it is quite effective, even engaging   But, if seems to focus solely on the psyche of the terrorists.  Some kind of quietly heroic material is conspicuously absent.  3.5/4
 
Lincoln
Perhaps not as engaging as I expected, but a very good film nonetheless.  Took awhile before I feel it really gets into a groove.  Jones, Field and Day give magnificent turns, of course, and the screenplay is fantastic.  Iffy about the cinematography.  3.5/4
 
Alexander Nevsky
Classic, no doubt.  The scene in Pskov remains chilling.  Battle sequence remains impressive.  Music is good, that goes without saying.  Pity the recording has aged. 4/4
 
Julius Caesar (1953)
Very good indeed.  Brando and Mason are fantastic, but Gielgud is massive.  Very impressed with the direction and cinematography.  Excellent approach. 4/4  

I have a dream: Maestro John Williams conducting the Vienna Philharmonic at their summer open air "Sommernachtskonzert" in front of tens of thousands of people in the beautiful gardens of Schönbrunn castle!

Braveheart by James Horner
War Horse by John Williams
Lincoln by John Williams
 
It's been a while since I've played the last two (especially the former). I've forgotten how much better they are than the latest SW.

Heartwood by John Wiliams
Listened again.  Absolutely love it.  Orchestral textures are sublime.

Heartwood by John Wiliams
Listened again.  Absolutely love it.  Orchestral textures are sublime.

Hello everyone! I hope this is the right place to start this topic. I have recently worked on this adventure piece which soon became an homage to the Maestro. I did a montage with some of my favorite scenes/characters. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did composing this music!
 

Not sure about Desplat, but John Powell might be the next Goldsmith.  😎

The Book Thief by John Williams: The first snow landed here in Helsinki yesterday and this score somehow seemed like appropriate for the mood. So lovely.
 
Suite from Memoirs of a Geisha for Cello and Orchestra by John Williams: Needed a quick Memoirs fix and this suite is a great 25 minute summation of the whole thing.
 
The first one is perhaps the best Beltrami score, period. I have had it on pretty steady rotation on my playlist ever since the Varese Deluxe Edition came out. Elfman's sequel score seems somehow less inspired despite the colourful source material.

Williams was tapping into something fundamental to the human spirit with that score.

"John Williams: Themes and Transcriptions for Piano". Simone Pedroni.

Thanks, Lee & Steef for organising this! We need more events like this, there were too many people and too little time. I also had no idea that Inky was there - and who knows who else I missed?
 

 
Here's the full thing, including my own, horribly inarticulate, bit. Would anyone have a problem with me putting that up on the net (e.g. Facebook, Twitter)?

In honor of the Maestro I painted this little portrait the evening before the Royal Albert Hall concert in my hotel room in London.
Let's all hope for his full recovery!!
 
 

This is the original, classic "Theme from Jurassic Park" conducted by John Williams. The power of it is outstanding and mesmerising.
 
This was recorded, apparently, before they decided to speed it up... Which is not as effective and impressive, imo.
 
 

Hello all,
 
I've spent nearly all of this morning working on it, but here it is. Jerry decided to give a crack at a thematic breakdown for John Powell's Solo: A Star Wars Story. Bear with me, the timestamps may be a half-second to a second off, but the idea is there. I also penned some themes as variations. Technically they are all variations, but I refer to it as more of a "not-the-way-it-is-normally-presented" or "harder to recognize as to what it is" theme. I also have incomplete beside some themes, indicating that only part of the theme is used briefly. Again, bear with me. I gave it a shot.
 
Just to clarify these are the new themes and the names I've given them:
Major Themes
Heroic Theme (Han's A Theme)
Searching (Han's B Theme)
Gang Theme
Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme (thanks @Falstaft)
Chewie's Theme
Enfys Nest (A & B Themes)
L3's Theme
Love Theme
Minor Leitmotifs and Melodic Reoccurrences
Droid Rebellion Motif (L3's B Theme)
Rising/Falling Death Motif
Crait Hurried Strings
Returning Themes
Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
Main Star Wars Theme/Luke's Theme
Imperial Fanfare/Death Star Motif
Imperial Stormtrooper Motif
Several Non-Thematic Original Trilogy Callbacks
 
Solo: A Star Wars Story (OST)
Music Composed by John Powell
With a Theme and Original Star Wars Music by John Williams
Additional Music by Batu Sener, James Gaither, Anthony Willis and Paul Mousney
 
1. The Adventures of Han (John Williams) (3:49)
0:15  Heroic Theme
0:37  Searching Theme
1:14  Crait Hurried Strings
1:40  Heroic Theme
2:25  Searching Theme
2:49  Heroic Theme
3:07  Searching Theme (variation)
 
2. Meet Han (2:20)
0:00  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
0:12  Heroic Theme
0:48  Searching Theme
1:26  Searching Theme
1:37  Heroic Theme
1:50  Searching Theme (incomplete)
 
3. Corellia Chase (3:34)
0:05  Heroic Theme
0:27  Heroic Theme
0:48  Searching Theme (variation)
1:34  Heroic Theme
1:58  Searching Theme (variation)
2:44  Searching Theme (variation) (incomplete)
3:22  Searching Theme (variation) (incomplete)
 
4. Spaceport (4:07)
0:06  Searching Theme (variation)
0:14  Searching Theme
0:26  Searching Theme
0:47  Heroic Theme
1:57  Love Theme
2:43  Love Theme
3:17  Searching Theme
3:40  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
 
5. Flying With Chewie (3:30)
0:40  Gang Theme
0:50  Imperial Stormtrooper Motif (incomplete)
0:58  Gang Theme
1:10  Chewie's Theme (incomplete)
1:22  Searching Theme (incomplete)
1:35  Heroic Theme
2:03  Chewie's Theme (incomplete)
2:15  Chewie's Theme
2:40  Chewie's Theme
 
6. Train Heist (4:48)
0:17  Heroic Theme (variation)
0:46  Heroic Theme (variation)
1:47  Gang Theme
1:55  Gang Theme
2:01  Gang Theme
2:09  Gang Theme
2:31  Gang Theme (variation)
2:54  Gang Theme
3:34  Imperial Stormtrooper Motif
3:55  Gang Theme
4:04  Imperial Stormtrooper Motif
4:11  Heroic Theme
4:24  Gang Theme
 
7. Marauders Arrive (5:15)
0:00  Enfys Nest A Theme
0:09  Enfys Nest A Theme
0:24  Enfys Nest B Theme
0:35  Enfys Nest B Theme
0:47  Enfys Nest A Theme
0:58  Enfys Nest A Theme
1:28  Heroic Theme
1:58  Heroic Theme
2:17  Enfys Nest B Theme
2:36  Enfys Nest A Theme (variation)
3:13  Gang Theme (variation)
3:27  Gang Theme (variation)
3:39  Rising/Falling Death Motif
4:08  Gang Theme
4:31  Gang Theme (incomplete)
4:34  Enfys Nest A Theme
 
8. Chicken in the Pot (2:09)
No thematic material
 
9. Is This Seat Taken? (2:36)
0:11  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
0:27  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
0:36  Gang Theme
0:45  Enfys Nest A Theme
1:21  Heroic Theme (variation)
1:46  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
2:00  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (incomplete variation) 
 
10. L3 & Millennium Falcon (3:17)
0:04  L3 Theme
0:26  L3 Theme
1:39  Main Star Wars Theme/Luke's Theme (variation)
2:00  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (variation)
2:27  Gang Theme (incomplete)
2:46  Enfys Nest A Theme
 
11. Lando's Closet (2:13)
0:19  Love Theme
0:54  Love Theme
1:05  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
1:27  Love Theme
 
12. Mine Mission (4:11)
0:00  L3 Theme
0:25  L3 Theme
0:45  L3 Theme
0:50  Droid Rebellion/L3 B Theme
1:18  L3 Theme
1:30  Droid Rebellion/L3 B Theme
1:58  L3 Theme
2:04  Love Theme
2:17  Love Theme
2:27  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
2:32  L3 Theme
2:38  Droid Rebellion/L3 B Theme
2:57  L3 Theme (incomplete)
3:15  Droid Rebellion/L3 B Theme
3:22  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
 
13. Break Out (6:15)
0:12  L3 Theme (variation)
0:25  L3 Theme (incomplete)
0:31  Heroic Theme
0:44  Chewie's Theme
1:24  Heroic Theme
1:52  Heroic Theme
2:03  L3 Theme (variation)
2:12  Searching Theme
2:32  Gang Theme (variation)
2:47  Rising/Falling Death Motif
3:14  Heroic Theme (variation)
3:50  Gang Theme
4:11  L3 Theme
4:22  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
4:35  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
4:38  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
4:45  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
4:55  L3 Theme (variation)
5:28  Droid Rebellion/L3 B Theme (variation0
 
14. The Good Guy (5:25)
0:22  Love Theme
0:47  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
1:12  Love Theme (variation)
1:38  Love Theme (variation)
1:51  Gang Theme
2:43  Heroic Theme
3:00  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
3:20  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
3:22  Love Theme
4:00  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
4:55  Enfys Nest B Theme
 
15. Reminiscence Therapy (6:13)
0:02  Imperial Fanfare/Death Star Motif
0:07  Imperial Cruiser Pursuit Callback (ANH/SW'77)
0:27  Attacking a Star Destroyer Callback (ESB)
0:35  Heroic Theme
0:49  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
1:11  L3 Theme
1:29  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
1:42  Here They Come! Callback (ANH/SW'77)
1:56  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
2:03  Here They Come! Callback (ANH/SW'77) cont'd
2:09  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
2:16  Here They Come! Callback (ANH/SW'77) cont'd
2:29  The Asteroid Field Callback (ESB)
2:54  Chewie's Theme
3:15  Main Star Wars Theme/Luke's Theme
3:20  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
3:24  The Asteroid Field Callback (ESB) cont'd
3:55  Heroic Theme
4:13  Heroic Theme
4:26  Crait Hurried Strings
4:35  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
4:44  Main Star Wars Theme/Luke's Theme
4:47  The Asteroid Field Callback (ESB) cont'd
5:23  L3 Theme
 
16. Into the Maw (4:49)
1:07  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
1:17  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
1:21  L3 Theme
1:34  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (incomplete)
1:38  Gang Theme
1:43  L3 Theme (incomplete)
1:53  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
2:14  Gang Theme
2:30  Chewie's Theme (incomplete variation)
2:57  Gang Theme (incomplete)
3:47  Main Star Wars Theme/Luke's Theme
3:53  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
3:58  Heroic Theme
4:08  Main Star Wars Theme/Luke's Theme
4:20  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
4:37  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (variation)
 
17. Savareen Stand-Off (4:26)
0:33  Enfys Nest A Theme
0:54  Enfys Nest A Theme
1:21  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (incomplete variation)
2:30  Enfys Nest A Theme
3:01  Enfys Nest A Theme
3:19  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
3:34  Chewie's Theme (incomplete)
3:46  Love Theme (variation)
4:04  Heroic Theme (incomplete)
 
18. Good Thing You Were Listening (2:08)
0:53  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
1:17  Love Theme
1:46  Chewie's Theme
 
19. Testing Allegiance (4:21)
0:21  Gang Theme
1:46  Heroic Theme
2:13  Love Theme
2:37  Love Theme
3:28  Love Theme (incomplete)
3:45  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
3:53  Secrets/Crimson Dawn Theme
 
20. Dice & Roll (1:55)
0:57  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (variation)
1:11  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon
1:19  Searching Theme (variation)
1:32  Heroic Theme
1:46  Rebel Fanfare/Millennium Falcon (variation)
 
Again, bear with me on the timestamps and the indications, but here's my thematic breakdown. Feel free to quote and add corrections.
 
-Jerry

I finally got around to listening to the concert and, wow, it blew me away and left me feeling very emotional. I can’t imagine what it was like in person! More importantly, knowing that Williams was comfortably listening to the concert from his hospital bed made it all the better. A big thanks to all who shared the appropriate listening links and, of course, to those who are sharing their in person experiences with those who weren’t able to be there.

I find a slower tempo suits the piece better.

Thanks to Jason, Quintus and all the other hard worker bees...organizing more than 3 people is always a chore. And all the best to the rest of the gang. From what I’ve heard the Maestro is still eager to come to Vienna next year, so that’s a class reunion then, maybe!

Alien vs Predator!