AOP

Hey guys, I realize this concert happened in 2022, but I’ve just dusted off an old review I wrote about the concert that I’d like to share: https://soundtracks-in-concert.com/maestro-of-the-movies-celebrating-john-williams-at-90-2022/ This was a very special experience for me because it was the first time I had seen John Williams conduct live in concert. Needless to say, I would love to visit the Bowl again!

The standard CD came with a postcard 😎 You could only get the calendar/poster if you ordered the Deluxe bluray/sacd from Universal Music Store. And… Some disappointing news. Had a listen of the sacd, and as feared, the creaking noises (pedal?) when the celeste are playing “Hedwig’s Theme” haven’t been removed. Don’t think they can be removed to be honest. I first heard the noises when it was shown on Stage+, and was hoping they could have worked some audio magic and removed/minimized the sound, but no… Bummer 😖

Merch from Universal Music Store (Japan) has just arrived! 1. The B2-sized calendar 2. The postcard 3. The standard CD release Just waiting on Amazon to deliver my package with the “visual sheet”. Have no idea what to expect as I’ve never gotten one before, so we’ll see when it arrives!

It has arrived and it is gorgeous! Haven’t watched the blu-ray yet as I have visitors over at the moment. I made separate orders through Tower Records Japan, Amazon Japan and Universal Music Japan - each have different bonus merch! Will post when they all arrive - later today! For now, I’ve uploaded pics of the bonus merch from Tower Records - an A4-sized clear file. I’ve also added pics of the vinyl 😎

Hey guys, Been a while since I posted here, but I just thought I’d drop by to let you know of a soundtrack concert report site that I started recently. I’ve actually just posted my report of John Williams in Milan! Here’s the link: https://soundtracks-in-concert.com/concerto-straordinario-john-williams-2022/ You can also find these reviews (previously posted by me on JWFan): JW in Tokyo https://soundtracks-in-concert.com/deutsche-grammophon-125-years-special-gala-concert/ Boston pops tribute to JW (Tokyo) https://soundtracks-in-concert.com/boston-pops-on-tour-2023-john-williams-tribute-2023/ Thanks for looking 😎

@Amer, you were right! I wasn’t sure myself when it was coming, but here it is: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/john-williams/news/2024-02-19/ It doesn’t specify when the physical album and blu-ray will be available, but they are coming! Links for the digital release are here: https://lnk.to/JohnWilliams_in_Tokyo Also, as per the announcement, a trailer on YouTube will be released at 6 pm JST today! https://johnwilliams-in-tokyo.lnk.to/videos

I don’t have a scanner, so I hope these camera photos will do! It’s about 20 or so pages in total, so I just took photos of the Williams-related pages. If you want to see more, let me know 👍 Yep, reverse culture shock. I feel it every time I return to Australia on holiday!! It wasn’t a high kick… more like a pass in soccer 😂

Just coming home from SW concert - no encore! But Cantina Band made an appearance though… complete with Keith Lockheart kicking into the air on the last note!! “Revolved back to the world”… haha. I know exactly what you mean! I’m still living “the dream”… not as an English teacher luckily!

Indeed! They really ate up that encore. I hope I don’t hear the same encore at tomorrow’s Star Wars concert!! 8 years in Japan? Nice! I originally planned to be here for 1 year but that has now turned into 20… 😂

Just came back from seeing the Tokyo performance of the JW tribute! Here’s my mini review 😊 *** Although I originally planned to not go to this concert as I have a policy for only seeing live concerts conducted by the original composer, I was so impressed by the last Williams concert at Suntory Hall that I promptly changed my mind. I just couldn’t get enough of those incredible Williams melodies live in concert… and to hear them being played by the world-renowned Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra who had last performed in Japan over 20 years ago? A no-brainer! After some introductory words (in Japanese no less!) from the conductor, the concert began with the instantly recognizable trumpet notes from SUPERMAN while a montage of movies from Williams’ extensive body of work played on large screens. After the applause died down, one of many short video interviews with Williams appeared on the screens to provide some context to the next piece being played. His anecdote about THE TOWERING INFERNO was as surprising as it was amusing when he mentioned that the producer only liked his music after he highlighted the producer’s name musically during the credits! Honestly, I had never really been a big fan of THE TOWERING INFERNO, but after hearing this spirited performance, I know what I’ll be listening to as soon as I get home tonight! The suite from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND was a stunning showcase of the perfect marriage between music and image. Along with a perfectly edited video montage from the film, the music went from a feeling of dread and despair to a deep sense of wonderment and elation. The audience was truly spellbound during the whole piece… you could literally hear a pin drop. The main theme from SABRINA dazzled with its delicate piano and romantic string and flute parts. The guest pianist, Hayato Sumino, performed to perfection and received hearty applause after the piece. After the interval, we were treated to the main theme from JURASSIC PARK. Unfortunately, the French horn player flubbed the fourth note of the opening solo... a small sour point in an otherwise excellent performance. Together with an inspiring video montage of Olympians and their incredible achievements over the years, the sounds of the OLYMPIC FANFARE AND THEME filled the auditorium with feelings of heroism, courage and determination. I’m certainly no sportsman, but after hearing that piece, I felt I could take on the world! The main theme from SCHINDLER’S LIST was preceded by an interview clip of Williams explaining how he favoured the “Remembrances” theme over the “Main theme.” It was somewhat odd then that the “Main theme” was performed right after! In any case, it was a deeply moving performance of the theme that was greatly received by the audience. The last three pieces were from STAR WARS: “Yoda’s theme,” “Rey’s theme,” and the iconic “Star Wars: Main title.” All were perfectly performed with “Rey’s theme” being a particular standout. The clarity of the woodwind instruments during that piece really helped the piece shine. Just lovely. The encore for the night was “Cantina band” from STAR WARS. It was a fun and vibrant performance that I’m sure put a smile on many faces… mine included! It was a perfect way to end the concert and yet another reminder that Williams has been, and always will be, the very best. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s all-STAR WARS concert!

I love the part about the piggyback ride. Forget global warming: THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE A PIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS BEING PIGGYBACKED DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS… ASAP!

Sorry to bring up an old post, but I just got a copy of the original 1987 program of JW’s concerts in Japan! Not in the greatest condition but fascinating all the same. Also found this amusing article about JW’s time in Japan over 30 years ago: https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/14580929 Guide to pics: 1. Cover 2. Inside page - not a real signature! 3. Program A 4. Full page ad for the actual TV broadcast! 5. Mini pamphlet tucked inside by the previous owner (thank you!). You can see where he folded it 6. Inside the pamphlet

Score! I managed to snag myself one of the VIP merch packages from the concert. These were only given to people lucky enough to get a VIP ticket (i.e. not me!), meaning less than 50 or so packages were made. I got mine from an online auction. The package includes: The program (same as the one for sale to everyone else) limited edition tote bag (pretty simple to be honest) VIP ID card - the signature is a “print” (unfortunately!) Honestly, I don’t think the VIP ticket was worth the ¥50,000 since no one got to meet JW. The only benefit was the privilege of attending the pre-concert rehearsal and this VIP merch package.

Dang. I need to amend my mini review now 😂 I think being so caught up in the experience skewed my perception of things a bit. Again, “Stargazers” was stunning. So glad everyone can enjoy the performance now! I also got goose bumps (again!) when the organ came in… ”Hedwig’s theme” was somewhat ruined by the distracting squeaky pedal sound from the celesta… did anyone else hear it? Also, JW is really starting to look his age. Noticeably older than the videos from Berlin and Vienna.

The area in front of Suntory Hall is too posh for a “restaurant” like Saizeriya 😂 There were other nice restaurants in the building but all had counter seating so not ideal for a JW fan meetup. Thanks for the reminder about Stage +… I need to sign up too!