jojoju2000

He is six years older than Natalie Wood. 2 years older than Sophia Loren. 19 days older than Elizabeth Taylor. He played with Shirley Temple as a Kid, played the Piano for the Original West Side Story Movie in 1961, He has worked with both Bernsteins, Herrman, Waxman, Mancini, Alfred Newman, and Jerry Goldsmith. His first film score was in 1954. He's also 3 years older than Elvis. 3 years older than Julie Andrews. And around the same age as Rita Moreno. I just can't imagine; the immense influence JW has had on not just music, but global cultural history. Will we ever have someone like JW in Film Music again ? Who now can have the respect of both film and classical music ? I can't believe there hasn't been a biography written about him. Imagine; the seat JW must have taken being a witness to major cultural events in global history. There aren't many from the Golden age left; in all fields. Okay yeah sure; JW didn't have his peak until the 1980s with Spielberg and Lucas, and his conducting position for the Boston Pops. But he is from the time period; and he's the last composer who writes in the Golden Age ethos.

Super late, but apparently in the book detailing the making of the Film, it seems as if JW served as a Music Consultant back in 2019....

JW is probably the only old school composer left. Morricone died last year. Mancini died in the 90s. Barry died in 2010.

Hell, He's been honored by the Kennedy Center Honors, worked with Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anne Sophie Mutter, he has done music for the Olympics, President Barack Obama, Jessye Norman, Lang Lang, No other Film composer dead or alive maybe with the exception of Ennio Morricone ( Who himself was a master ).

He's the Only Film Composer that has received the RPS Gold Medal, an award reserved for the serious classical musicians, composers, and conductors. He has conducted the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics. Heck, he's more than the greatest film composer ever. He's a great composer period. Of any medium.

That just makes JW even more admirable. Like he is truly top of the line.

The debate over Film Music is more than just John Williams. It's basically an debate over what music is. Over at Talk Classical Forum, they talk about John Cage, Pierre Boulez, all of these figures, and John Williams. Because if you read the Classical Music History, there was a split between the Romantic sound and the newer Arnold Schoenberg sound in the 1900s. Some people would argue however, and I would agree that the Romantic Sound would actually end up in Film. People like Korngold, Max Steiner from which JW gets his inspiration. Film Music itself coming from Incindental plays, operas. And if we understand the totality of that history, we can understand why JW is the most interesting music figure in my book. And the argument that Williams doesn't attract people to Classical music is somewhat folly because that's exactly why he got awarded the Gold Medal by the RPS. last year. https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/gold-medal/john-williams " John has dedicated his life to ensuring orchestral music continues to speak to and captivate millions of people worldwide. Accepting the medal via video, he said: ‘To receive this award is beyond any expectation I could possibly have. For any composer to be able devote his or her life entirely to the composition of music is very fortunate indeed. I’d like to thank our musicians of our great orchestras in London and in the United States with whom I’ve worked so happily for so many years.’ Director Steven Spielberg sent his congratulations in a video recorded especially for the RPS, saying: ‘John, you have brought the classical idiom to young people all over the world through your scores, and through your classical training and your classical sensibilities. You are in the DNA of the musical culture of today.’ "

That's funny and ironic because George Lucas was ostracized by the Hollywood elite for not being " Mainstream " enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D501lnlL3kk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0_N1tFjLAk If this doesn't make him a " Classical Music Composer " in their eyes, then shame on them. Leonard Bernstein was recognized as a great. Aaron. Copland was as well. While they were still alive. So Williams's only sin was hooking up with Spielberg and Lucas because they're not true Auteurs. He should have teamed up with Scorsese. Talk Classical's logic is that.

I am talking generally. Broadly. Not this specific forum.

But that's the problem with the whole thing; these internet blogs; they make it seem as if; people who enjoy Star Wars music are not " advanced " enough to enjoy Pierre Boulez or Stockhausen.

If this concerto along with the other works he has had with Mutter and the VPO doesn't propel him to Classical Music Status, then we have truly gone nuts.

https://www.talkclassical.com/classical-music-discussion/ This website has such a negative opinion about Williams and Film Music in general. I have tried to present evidence that paints Williams in a different light. But to no avail. But outside of the bubble, We got Anne Sophie Mutter, Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, Gustavo Dudamel, all praising Williams as a good composer, a great composer. What respected classical musicians actually say vs. the internet. The Theme from Schindler's List for example; it is so famous on it's own right; that it has become totally completely associated with John Williams, and Perlman who now claims it as his theme song apparently. You can't say that about any other film composer. What is up with this bubble ? Because it's obvious that actual classical musicians and orchestras have welcomed Williams into their house.

I forgot about Fiddler on the Roof......

1. Little Women. Greta Gerwig : Director. Released : 2019. Watching this Movie a few months ago, I thought to myself that Williams could have made a wonderful score; I thought back to his other "English" Classical Music Films like War Horse or Jane Erye. He would have done an excellent job;. But Gerwig wanted Alexandre Desplat instead so there's that. 2. The Last Temptation of Christ. Martin Scorsese : Director. Released : 1988. It was a shame that Scorsese and Williams never got to collaborate on anything, and this film was one of the big missed chances. We could have seen Williams embrace Jewish Music earlier; as a forerunner to Schindler's list. Hugo. Martin Scorsese : Director. Released : 2011/2012. If Scorsese shifted the release of Hugo to where Williams could have done it. it would have turned out great. It could have been a E.T mixed with French Debussey Musicality. Those are just 3 of the top picks. We can also have Brooklyn ( 2015 Film ), Parasite ( Korean 2019 Film ), Black Swan ( 2010 ) Film. There are also other films people have already mentioned such as Agora and Alexander.

Oh I know. I just see that he seems to have an affinity for certain types of films. Maybe his connection to Air Force Service ? He could be a history nerd like I am.

Unlike Goldsmith, Barry, or Morricone, John Williams tends to graviate towards Historical Based Films or Docudramas when he wants to do a " serious " film; Born on the Fourth of July, Schindler's List, JFK, Nixon, The Patriot, Munich. And the trend is that almost all of these films have something to do with War, American Revolutionary War, World War 2, the Vietnam War, and the later 20th century conflicts. I wonder what attracts him to these types of Films ? A personal connection ? His love for American History, and world History for that matter ?

But this particular influence seems somewhat interesting. JW once again has served as a bridge builder between parts of society that have felt left out. His music unites and inspires everyone, no matter race, or gender.

Well that's what I heard so I might be totally wrong.

https://www.thathashtagshow.com/2021/03/04/composer-jermaine-stegall-talks-how-john-williams-more-influenced-coming-2-america/ He also gave a nod to his favorite composer, John Williams. Williams, of course, is responsible for the iconic scores behind Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jaws, and more.

That reminds me; I wonder what Williams thinks about the toxic culture in Hollywood today. He has probably seen it all ( the good and bad ).

So I am also a part of the Audrey Hepburn forum on Facebook, two of them actually, and I found some very interesting connections between these two legendary figures of cinema and our time. 1. John Williams worked as a Pianist under HENRY MANCINI, ( Who of course was good friends with Audrey Hepburn ). Williams also played the piano for many of the Films that Audrey appeared in the early 1960s; Charade and Breakfast at Tiffany's are two of them I believe. 2. Williams would himself score just two films with Audrey Hepburn as a star; 1966's How to Steal a Million, and 1989's Always. I wonder what other connections Williams has with her and other famous stars of the Golden Age ?

I mean there is Damien Chazelle..... he directed La La Land ....

Sorry ? I mean....

Hugo would have been perfect for Williams.