BrotherSound

Congrats with your new job and welcome at the board! Can you describe what exactly is so attractive about the timpani parts to you as a timpanist, when you compare the parts with those by other composers? Well, first of all he uses the timpani quite independently and soloistically. Think of the numerous timpani solos in the Star Wars scores, in particular. And despite the fact that he writes very virtuosic parts for us, he can also show admirable restraint. Listen to "Duel of the Fates" (on my first program, incidentally) and observe how he holds the timpani in reserve till the last minute or so. The chorus sings acappella, punctuated with only a dramatic timpani roll. Would this have been nearly as effective if the timpani had already been playing non-stop for the last couple minutes? Also, without getting into technical specifics, his parts are very idiomatic for the instrument and he's the rare composer who realizes how effective soft timpani parts can be. Listen about 1:00 in to "Imperial Attack" from Episode 4 for a great example of that (and the wonderful playing of Kurt-Hans Goedicke). In the hands of lesser composers the timpani are often either neglected, slavishly following the brass, or used in an amelodic style more suited to tom-toms. Of course, Williams' mastery of scoring for every instrument of the orchestra is nothing short of astonishing! The Star Wars scores were my very own "young person's guide to the orchestra", as there is practically no orchestral instrument you will encounter that does not have a prominent role somewhere in the classic trilogy. Actually, that sounds like an idea for a new topic: favorite passages from JW scores for different instruments. I immediately think of the Jabba the Hutt tuba solo, and the wonderful harp work in E.T. and Angela's Ashes. -Rob

Hey guys and gals, I've never posted here before, but I've been a big JW fan since I was in 6th grade and wanted to introduce myself. The first cassette tape of orchestral music I ever bought was Return of the Jedi with Charles Gerhardt and the National Philharmonic. I completely fell in love with the sound of a symphony orchestra, and was especially knocked out by the bold timpani and percussion scoring. I was already playing percussion in the school band, but this gave me a huge boost of excitement and I resolved to make a career playing music like that in a symphony orchestra. Anyway, two music degrees and 16 auditions later, my dream has come true and I was appointed Principal Timpanist of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra this past Monday. Then, I was thrilled to discover that our very first concert is a Pops concert featuring selections from Star Wars! I couldn't ask for a better start to my professional career. Anyway, if anyone on this board is from the Chattanooga/Atlanta/Knoxville area, you may want to mark this one on your calender, 'cause it'll be right up your alley. The second half is entirely Star Wars, six selections including the Imperial March, Throne Room/End Title, and Duel of the Fates. The first half has some more Johnny T. in the form of E.T. Adventures on Earth and Flight to Neverland from Hook. Also of interest to film score fans: James Horner's Rocketeer and Apollo 13. The program is rounded out with the opening from Also Sprach Zarathustra (the famous 2001 theme, and an all time timpani moment to boot!) and Gustav Holst's Mars from the Planets, which isn't film music, but was a major inspiration for the Star Wars scores, and is just an all-around bad ass piece. The Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra October 18, 2008 at 8:00pm Fantastic Journey! Celebrating NASA's 50th Anniversary Conductor: Carl Topilow www.chattanoogasymphony.org -Rob

Hey guys and gals, I've never posted here before, but I've been a big JW fan since I was in 6th grade. I don't see a whole lot of personal stories on this board, but I hope it's alright to share one of mine, since it does directly relate to John Williams. The first cassette tape of orchestral music I ever bought was Return of the Jedi with Charles Gerhardt and the National Philharmonic. I completely fell in love with the sound of a symphony orchestra, and was especially knocked out by the bold timpani and percussion scoring. I was already playing percussion in the school band, but this gave me a huge boost of excitement and I resolved to make a career playing music like that in a symphony orchestra. Anyway, two music degrees and 16 auditions later, my dream has come true and I was appointed Principal Timpanist of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra this past Monday. Then, I was thrilled to discover that our very first concert is a Pops concert featuring selections from Star Wars! I couldn't ask for a better start to my professional career. Anyway, if anyone on this board is from the Chattanooga/Atlanta/Knoxville area, you may want to mark this one on your calender, 'cause it'll be right up your alley. The second half is entirely Star Wars, six selections including the Imperial March, Throne Room/End Title, and Duel of the Fates. The first half has some more Johnny T. in the form of E.T. Adventures on Earth and Flight to Neverland from Hook. Also of interest to film score fans: James Horner's Rocketeer and Apollo 13. The program is rounded out with the opening from Also Sprach Zarathustra (the famous 2001 theme, and an all time timpani moment to boot!) and Gustav Holst's Mars from the Planets, which isn't film music, but was a major inspiration for the Star Wars scores, and is just an all-around bad ass piece. The Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra October 18, 2008 at 8:00pm Fantastic Journey! Celebrating NASA's 50th Anniversary Conductor: Carl Topilow www.chattanoogasymphony.org -Rob