Runar

I was lucky enough to attend todays concert. Just the setting of the golden hall and the beautiful weather in Vienna were almost perfect. I had a nice seat on the balcony next to the stage and could watch him coming out of the door. Just the moment when he entered the stage was absolutely exciting.
 
The Violin Concerto was a great experience. There were several little moments that delighted me. My favorite part were these building, 'Close Encounter-like' harmonies, where the brass evolved into a very broad sound. Anne-Sophie Mutter was also fantastic and I was surprised at how loud her violin sounded. Not as loud as the brass section, though, because they were incredibly loud where I was sitting. During the big fanfares today, it literally blew you away.
 
One of my highlights was the 'Flying Theme' from E.T. - I've heard it a thousand times, but today it somehow grabbed me from the very start. A dreamlike performance by the VPO! 
 
But the rest of the program was delightful as well. I really loved the 'Scherzo for Motorcycle' performance. It was so powerful! And of course the 'Throne Room and Finale' which is always a real highlight.

'Duel' from Tintin created a real pirate flair, with those old wooden floorboards of the stage and the 'dirty' sound of Anne-Sophie Mutter's fiddleplaying. Her runs sounded almost like sword blades.
 
John Williams looked very happy and excited today. He made a fresh impression and seemed full of energy, similar to the Berlin concerts.
His speeches were also very enthusiastic, as if he was chatting with a good old friend.
 
Also cool to see was Mutter leaning against a pillar at the edge of the stage during the 'Imperial March', enjoying the performance.
 
Another interesting detail was, that Williams announced the 'Flying Theme' with just a simple "E.T." without using the microphone. He just said it out loud to the audience. And the 'Imperial March' he announced simply with "Darth Vader"
 
I still can't believe how lucky we are to have a 90-year-old John Williams giving such terrific concerts. I always find it difficult to put into words what such an experience triggers in me, but it was truly like a dream. Just the presence of the maestro himself puts you in profound humility. It is simply thrilling to be able to watch the master at work for a few hours.
 
I am happy for all of you who were able to attend these concerts and I wish everyone who have not yet been able to enjoy such an experience, that this dream will soon come true for you... 
 
What a magical weekend in Austria!

Why 'damn Christmas'? His Christmas BPO albums are lovely!

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."
 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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

 

 

I. HAVE. CONFIRMATION. 🤓 
 
Just talked to a recording engineer backstage. The concert is being (audio-)recorded, they hope to have it released by DG!

The orchestra is sharp today and playing with enthusiasm. Can't wait for the second half! 😁

Looking lovely with three hours to go!

Am sitting here, in a sunny Vienna street, drinking green tea, listening to the expanded score for The River, watching the world go by, with Williams tickets in my pocket. 
 
What pleasure!

Can't help but bring up this gif again. , maestro! 

To the one, the only, the iconic John Williams, 90 years young!

 
Happy 90th Birthday, Maestro!!!
 

 
Wait, that's not right...

 
Let's try that again...

 
Nope, still wrong.

 
Getting warmer...

 
Keep circling...

 
Try again...

 
One more try...

 
Ahh, that's better!


 
Here's to another 90 years of incredible music!

 
Now get back to scoring Indy 5, Mangold just changed the edit again.

Coming December 23 at The Legacy of John Williams, an exclusive video event with the great Los Angeles studio musicians reuniting for the first time in years to celebrate John Williams.
 
https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2021/12/16/announcing-la-studio-legends/
 
 
This is going to be very special. I hope you will tune in to watch this

Tomorrow at 7 PM CEST / 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST:
 
 
 
 
It's going to be a lot of fun! Hope you'll tune in for this. If you can't, don't worry. It'll be available on demand immediately afterwards (also as audio podcast).

This performance comes to mind
 

Great idea for a thread, Thor. I'll be following this one closely. My first contribution is the Maestro and Yo-Yo Ma playing together on Jay Leno.
 
https://youtu.be/2sjiJFBhb6U

And so, here's my review as well, for anyone interested:
 
http://celluloidtunes.no/john-williams-the-berliner-philharmoniker/

Berlin, October 16 2021
 

Berlin, October 15 2021
 

Berlin, October 15 2021
 

Berlin, October 14 2021

That would be Too Far and Away! I'd prefer Stavanger Symfoniorkester!

First encore on Saturday filmed from just underneath the ceiling.
 
E.T. Flying Theme:
https://youtu.be/mCK3UtBVmU4

My own 2 cents:
 
https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2021/10/19/john-williams-in-berlin/

Yes, Simone knows JW and was invited in the Green Room after Thursday concert. Guitarist Pablo Villegas was there the same day (I think he posted pics on Instagram).
 
I just want to add a few personal considerations about these fantastic Berlin concerts. For me, this has been really the ultimate consacration of JW's greatness, not just because of the prestige of the venue and the orchestra, but because it truly felt like a joyous celebration of his musical life in the city that has always been at the crossroad of history. I don't think I ever attended a concert where the electricity and the happiness was so palpable. The Saturday performance will be remembered as an historic event for decades to come and I felt so honoured to be part of it together with thousands of other people.
 
Each one of us has a deep personal relationship with John's music that, imho, goes beyond the nature of its commitment. For most of us, it truly makes us feel like kids again and brings us back to that magical moment in our lives when we first experienced it. This is one of the reason why I think it's above most of film music. Of course this can happen with other film composers, but JW is the only one who now belongs to three different generations of listeners and filmgoers. And it's not only Star Wars nerds, thanks goodness, but people with very different backgrounds, histories and personal bond with his music. The feeling I had during the Berlin weekend was that everyone was there only because of the man and his music, and what it means deep down for each one of us.
 
I am sorry I didn't catch with any of the other fans besides the wonderful Miguel and briefly with Thor and Marian. I attended with some other friends, plus I had a couple meetings I had to attend and of course I planned some tourist time with my wife. I hope to have more time in Milan, as for me it won't be a tourist place