Matthias

LOL his introductions are getting more and more extravagant ! 
 

No, it appears to be some kind of audio engineer. 
 
It's funny how I've been going to the Musikverein for years now and I have no clue where this is. But a bunch of JWFanners storm into town and talk to recording engineers backstage and manage to snap pictures of the process! 😅

The horns and trumpets were superb today. Also special shoutout to the timpani player. He had a nice and difficult solo in the violin concerto. 
 
Although I was sitting on row 7, I had troubling sight. Maybe it was because the constant wet eyes, when I realized how lucky we are to be able to go to this concert in freedom. A true highlight in my musical life. 
 
Even more grateful and at the same time very confronting, when I came back at Vienna trainstation and saw a group of Ukrainian refugees that just arrived.
Lucky badtards we are. Next week I'm going to sign up as volunteer and help refugees in my local town. 
 
Cheers!
 
 
 
 

I agree with @Marian Schedenig, the VPO really gave it their all today. Though I really didn’t feel they seemed particularly inhibited yesterday. 
 
I’m blown away by how amazing these concerts were. The Vienna Philharmonic played the music with so much excitement and joy… I am thrilled to know there will be a CD/LP release.
 
What’s more than that, being in the same room as Williams, watching him conduct, and to think that the music I listened to as a child on those tiny CD player speakers was being played right in front of me, with the man to thank for it on the podium… magical. I’m so happy and grateful.
 

I'm constantly reminding myself not to forget how privileged I am to live 10 minutes from the Musikverein and able to afford going to both concerts. Yesterday's was fine, but in the action pieces I thought the brass was holding back, and there were spots where they seemed to be extra careful. Today they went all in and played brilliantly, with extra strong brass. Now Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra ("sans motorcycle") and March of the Resistance were true highlights, Leia's horn solo was almost perfect, and Throne Room was super tight. It's always hard to compare these things, but the Scherzo might be a notch above the Berlin performance.

Yesterday Williams apparently couldn't remember Connery's full name (in Berlin he couldn't remember his name at all), though I didn't fully understand what he said instead. Today he remembered, eventually: "Seth… Sean Connery". He didn't mention the "bad guys" today, but revived the Luke/Leia/love theme/brother/sister anecdote. He also claimed that Harry once rode on the phoenix.
 
When introducing the Indy pieces, he mentioned that after the concert, he will be going back to LA and work on the fifth score. "You don't know my age, but if Harrison Ford at 78 can do this, I can at least try."
 

 

 

 

 

 

No, it appears to be some kind of audio engineer. 
 
It's funny how I've been going to the Musikverein for years now and I have no clue where this is. But a bunch of JWFanners storm into town and talk to recording engineers backstage and manage to snap pictures of the process! 😅

The highlights of the concert for me were the pieces I had not previously heard performed by JW:
The Long Goodbye. I own the CD but have practically never listened to it, so this was a discovery, and I was immediately won over.  Fawkes. Beautiful and uplifting, really moving.  March of the Resistance. I was certainly biaised by being 10 meters from the orchestra, but I thought it sounded better tant ever ! Makes me wish Williams played more "action" cues and didn't mostly limit himself to concert versions of his themes. 

After the concert I was talking outside to one of the percussionist and he confirmed that there will be a 'schallplatte'...😎 
 
Recording in the making!

No, it appears to be some kind of audio engineer. 
 
It's funny how I've been going to the Musikverein for years now and I have no clue where this is. But a bunch of JWFanners storm into town and talk to recording engineers backstage and manage to snap pictures of the process! 😅

No, it appears to be some kind of audio engineer. 
 
It's funny how I've been going to the Musikverein for years now and I have no clue where this is. But a bunch of JWFanners storm into town and talk to recording engineers backstage and manage to snap pictures of the process! 😅

Unfortunately it wasn't played
It just next to the men toilets at the Parterre rechts...😅

 

 

No, it appears to be some kind of audio engineer. 
 
It's funny how I've been going to the Musikverein for years now and I have no clue where this is. But a bunch of JWFanners storm into town and talk to recording engineers backstage and manage to snap pictures of the process! 😅

Oh gosh... please, PLEASE be saving Prayer for Peace until the very end of the final concert.
 
Just this morning I was thinking that would make the perfect closing piece for this trip, given current events. Hopefully ASM has a word in his ear about that...

They have Prayer for Peace as an optional encore

Something 's being recorded here...😉

Can't wait to hear the recording when it comes out!

So happy everyone looks so much more relaxed than during the 2020 concerts, John and the orchestra. The result is audible.

A sunny Sunday morning again...
IMG_2747.MOV  
Busy Sunday morning for the timpani player...😅

This is just marvellous to see, I have to say. As someone who went to the first Vienna concert (still can't believe we're lucky enough to be in a position to say 'first Vienna concert' rather than 'only Vienna concert' - 90 years old!!!) I did not think I would be too bummed about missing this - but I have to say now the event has come around I have enormous FOMO and wish everyone at the Sunday concert a wonderful time. Looking forward to hearing the DG extra-flubs-included-at-no-extra-cost recording Xxxx

Goodnight all and see you tomorrow! 

Vienna horns... it happens... 😉
 
Second half encores were:
With ASM: Across the Stars and Tintin
E.T. Flying Theme
Imperial March

I could get used to this! What a thrill! 😅
The horn solo for Leia's theme was badly flubbed, otherwise a very enthusiastic Vienna Phil today (sometimes almost too much 😅). JW even heard some of your criticism and played the Imperial March twice as fast this time. 😉 
 
A lavish feast for the ears, I'm very glad it's been recorded. 

Another fun little anecdote: In his first or second little speech, JW quickly mentioned how marvelous the Vienna Phil is and that he was going to talk about them more a little later. Never did, completely forgot about it. 😜 
 
If he says something interesting tomorrow, let me know!