lairdo

I think Gustavo should ask JW to conduct one song or track from West Side Story. That just seems pleasant to me given Bernstein and Williams were friends, Williams played on various West Side Story albums early in his career, Williams is a mentor of sorts to Dudamel, Dudamel conducted on Star Wars, and for good measure, Williams led the wonderful "Bernstein by Boston" album with the Boston Pops in the 80s.  In fact, as I recall, that album was my first real introduction to the music of Bernstein.
 
But I guess I have slid off topic from Vienna!
 
I have so enjoyed everyone's memories, images and thoughts about the concerts. From what I have heard, truly it was magical. Thank you for sharing.
 
And if DG wants to release a load of versions and variants, I will happily buy them all - standard CD, deluxe CD, Blu-ray, LP, mini-LP, digital HD, CD/DVD combo, Coffee table book with CD - whatever!!!! Bring them out as soon as possible! (Please!)
 

Thanks to everyone sharing their thoughts and details about the performances. I'm reading a bunch of the comments to my wife (we are babysitting our new grandson in North Carolina this weekend), and she is as impressed as I am. We cannot believe how good he looks in the photos and how both humbled and proud he must feel. What a gift.
 
So hope we get this on blu-ray soon!

Thanks to everyone sharing their thoughts and details about the performances. I'm reading a bunch of the comments to my wife (we are babysitting our new grandson in North Carolina this weekend), and she is as impressed as I am. We cannot believe how good he looks in the photos and how both humbled and proud he must feel. What a gift.
 
So hope we get this on blu-ray soon!

Thanks to everyone sharing their thoughts and details about the performances. I'm reading a bunch of the comments to my wife (we are babysitting our new grandson in North Carolina this weekend), and she is as impressed as I am. We cannot believe how good he looks in the photos and how both humbled and proud he must feel. What a gift.
 
So hope we get this on blu-ray soon!

Thanks to everyone sharing their thoughts and details about the performances. I'm reading a bunch of the comments to my wife (we are babysitting our new grandson in North Carolina this weekend), and she is as impressed as I am. We cannot believe how good he looks in the photos and how both humbled and proud he must feel. What a gift.
 
So hope we get this on blu-ray soon!

https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/01/06/star-wars-composer-john-williams-to-conduct-the-cleveland-orchestra-in-april

Perhaps a miss for JW, but if the filmmakers knew this is where that was going from Episode 7 to 9, I think Williams would have done something or set something up. It's at least a shared miss with Lucasfilm's handling of the directors and story development.
 
There is also a small possibility that JW did not want to make the same accident from Ep 4 when he scored the music as if Luke & Leia would be a couple, and not brother and sister.

If it fit they wouldn't have cut it out.
 
My guess - JW wrote a version of the speed chaser cue for an earlier version of the scene. 
 
JJ then tinkered with the scene and recut it. JW adapted to it.
 
JJ again recut it. JW is like fuck it - I am going to my original sketch and writing a concert arrangement for album. JJ baby you can use pieces from it or track music from other places as is your desire anyways.
 
Both agree. 
 
JW records his concert arrangement for album. JJ out of respect uses a tiny portion in the film.
 
All sides happy. JJ can fuck the hell off. And we can get a great new piece in the vein of asteroid field.
 
--
 
Also listen to the full statement at 46s
 
 
It is basically a full theme - not just an action figure. It has a full 4 phrases in this statement - that's almost too much for what is supposed to be an action figure to use in a chase scene. JW couldn't possibly hope to include such a broad statement in the scene specially when he is competing with loud FX. Methinks this might be an expansion of his original sketch - fleshed out for a concert setting.
 
There is another full statement of the theme at 1:43 - first 3 phrases are intact, 4 has evolved a little bit this time. 
 
Again at 2:32 there is a full statement of the theme - first 3 phrases are intact, 4th again has evolved. 
 
(And honestly the theme is good enough to be an actual character theme for some other composer. It is good and memorable enough to be the heroic identity of the action hero character in a swashbuckling film for example. It is so easily malleable that the possibilities are endless.)
 
So if you are to consider it a concert setting - this is how the theme is stated - 
 
A. Teasing the first 2 phrases
B. 1st full statement of theme
C. 2nd full statement of theme with some changes
D. 3rd full statement of theme with some changes
E. last 2 phrases taking a bow in a concert ending setting
 
The piece itself is also just begging to be performed in concerts. It would make an exciting, fast paced and entertaining and fun little performance piece.

First off, thanks @Jay for the awesome edit-free playlist. As many are saying, hearing the score with more fleshed out is really amazing. While I have listened a few times and specifically played a number of tracks, I am not sure where I sit on the score. I like it a lot - but I think until I see the film later today, I cannot fully decide how much I love it. And even saying that, I am not sure why - maybe I just want more time? I happen to love TPM score, but only am so-so on the movie. So, it's not really about that I guess. Anyway, I think it's all too new so far. And in fact with the disaster box set arriving this week, I am jumping between Williams scores a ton.
 
One thing I did on my playlist and I offer it up to others to try or comment: I programed the concert suite Rise of Skywalker ahead of the main title. Sort of like an overture, although one that only introduces one theme as compared to more standard ones. I guess sort of like how Jerry Goldsmith opened Star Trek The Motion Picture with Ilia's theme played against a black screen. I like the way RoS ends and then a brief pause and bang, the main title. Anyway, give it a try.
 
I also wonder if how Williams will program this suite in relation to others and I am going to play with that a bit - if we had to take 3 suites from the 9 films, and RoS had to be one, which other two would form a nice three piece experience? I sort of suspect RoS would be the middle one. Anyway, I guess I should start a thread on this idea. (So I did: https://www.jwfan.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31055-star-wars-suites-in-concert-how-would-you-program-them/ )
 

I think the album is fine, and the price for the CD is extremely reasonable - really very inexpensive for prices these days and full to the brim. This would be a nice gift for a new JW fan, for example.

I think HSATP is very good on the album. I too have the live recordings from 2018, and this has the benefit of being studio recorded. I am fine with the pacing of it. Lots of reverb on the low string plucking which gives them a fairly heavenly/distant sound to my ear contrasting with the very present higher violins and violas. I like the transition at 2:59 which could have been taken slower by some, but felt like a good change in momentum before the big push with most of the orchestra swelling in at 3:25.
 
Once we get TROS, and assuming it has 1 or 2 suite pieces, I do like the idea of creating a best of SW suites playlists.
 
 

I liked TRoS, even more on the 2nd viewing. And I can say so while agreeing with many of the criticisms leveled at it. The most important thing for me was if it was fun to watch, and did I like the JW score. To the first, I am unashamed to say I did like it and will see it a third time this weekend (finally in Imax with laser protection). It has flaws, and I am ambivalent on Rey's ending. I can see the issues with bringing back the emperor. But the movie is fun and I like the characters.
 
I very much doubt though that this is near what George wanted or would have done. It is unlikely in any case because as pointed out, they did not use his treatments. Bob Iger recounts this in his memoir that came out recently too. (and how George was upset.)
 
As to my other question, I love the score. My issue is how to reconcile all of the edits with my love of the score. And since I cannot yet listen to the score as in the film, I guess my focus is on the tracks we have (OST+FYC) and enjoying those.
 
Back to TLJ - I did think that TLJ was a really well directed movie. Rian Johnson has interesting visual ideas, and great pacing in his editing (even if he left in sequences that are too long - they are well edited, but too long - Canto for example). Case in point of that is my strong recommendation to see Knives Out. I've seen it twice too, and even knowing the plot, the 2nd viewing was extremely enjoyable. Like or dislike TLJ, Johnson is a very good filmmaker. (And I liked that score too.)
 

(click for full 1425x1425 size)

I was able to grab some pix during the movie yesterday. This sort of represents the best of what I could get with my phone on low brightness and basically in my lap. JW actually only has his eye(s) open for a very short time before looking down.
 
About what is behind JW is definitely something that looks like a hook. The circular thing above that seems almost like the medallion from Raiders but when the shot widens, it looks less so. Clearly a droid's head to the right. Further to the right (but not in this image) is something that looks like a CB radio and on top of that some sort of lantern.
 
Also, I doubt this was green screen. I think they just built a small part of a set behind him. It would have been less work than doing a composite shot, but I could be wrong.
 

The shot of Oma Tres establishes that humans can live past 80 in the Star Wars universe! 

Well, those aliens were added late in production (and shot in LA) to show the variety of the galaxy. So, they do have a point in the storytelling.
 
We just need a 6 or 9 book Oma Tres expanded universe set of novels featuring his adventures, a comic book run of at least 50 issues, and 4 or 5 action figures (Oma Tres, Oma Tres (removable eye thing), Young Oma Tres, Oma Tres (Bluetooth), etc). Then I will be super happy!
 
 
I hope he did have fun! It was fun to see him.

My wife and I saw the 5 pm fan showing. (We got a pin!)
 
We both liked it a lot. I agree with many of the comments above but still liked it. We are seeing it again Sunday with my sister and her family.
 
Dark side notes:
Felt the opening third was choppy (a good word from previous comments). I wanted a more traditional longer sequence/scene to grab me 
Music felt too low in our theater for the first half. (see light side below)
Tracked music jumped out at me, but I did not mind it - I just was surprised at the choice to edit in something that could have been recorded again so the sound matched. But I suspect this was a late change.
Agreed the editing of battle and JW's music could have been better.
As usual, lots of misdirection from JJ in the trailer that had different or opposite impacts in the final film
The shot of Wedge felt shoehorned in.
 
Light side notes:
The second half of the music mix was great (editing not withstanding). It worked really well, and even the previous film themes felt generally right to me - particularly Yoda & The Force.
Sound effects and mix were super enjoyable particularly the past Jedi stuff and around the Emperor.
Satisfying ending for the sequel trilogy in terms of story and score. 
I was very happy with the playing of the choir and musicians. Sounds great on the big screen.
 
Bonus
I saw that JW had a screen credit as Oma Tres, and now that I know he is seen on Kijimi, I realize I spotted him and had a moment of - wait, who is that? But only after seeing the credits did I realize he was in there. How much do I want an action figure of Oma Tres?  
 
Bonus x2
When do we get the JW action figure!!!!?
 
Overall, I am very happy with the score and movie. Both have flaws, but not in the same ways or in as bad ways as TLJ or AotC. (Although I like the music for both.)
 
 

So, assuming I get it - the question is about the most valuable released JW album.
 
Eiger is a good one.
 
Maybe the Sinfonietta for Wind Ensemble? Hard to find on CD from Japan. US LP is more available though.
 
Checkmate/Rhythm in Motion is out of print. I don't see any copies on eBay at the moment, and Amazon shows one for $70 or so - more than Eiger.   

With all of the music that has arrived in the past two weeks (not complaining!), amazingly I have only listened to 4 tracks of Stargate. It sounds loads better to me based on my memory. Have not A-B compared it yet.
 
(And I've listened to none of Voyager or the Western scores at all!)
 

I have it digitally, but manufacturing delays have meant it's not out until the 30th.

December 30th 2020  2019

Enjoy the box set! It is a joy. And really, assuming you have access to streaming TROS on YouTube, Spotify etc you are good. There is so much music in the box set, that I am still overwhelmed with the JW goodness.
 
Happy holidays!

Enjoy the box set! It is a joy. And really, assuming you have access to streaming TROS on YouTube, Spotify etc you are good. There is so much music in the box set, that I am still overwhelmed with the JW goodness.
 
Happy holidays!

I was able to grab some pix during the movie yesterday. This sort of represents the best of what I could get with my phone on low brightness and basically in my lap. JW actually only has his eye(s) open for a very short time before looking down.
 
About what is behind JW is definitely something that looks like a hook. The circular thing above that seems almost like the medallion from Raiders but when the shot widens, it looks less so. Clearly a droid's head to the right. Further to the right (but not in this image) is something that looks like a CB radio and on top of that some sort of lantern.
 
Also, I doubt this was green screen. I think they just built a small part of a set behind him. It would have been less work than doing a composite shot, but I could be wrong.
 

I was able to grab some pix during the movie yesterday. This sort of represents the best of what I could get with my phone on low brightness and basically in my lap. JW actually only has his eye(s) open for a very short time before looking down.
 
About what is behind JW is definitely something that looks like a hook. The circular thing above that seems almost like the medallion from Raiders but when the shot widens, it looks less so. Clearly a droid's head to the right. Further to the right (but not in this image) is something that looks like a CB radio and on top of that some sort of lantern.
 
Also, I doubt this was green screen. I think they just built a small part of a set behind him. It would have been less work than doing a composite shot, but I could be wrong.
 

I was able to grab some pix during the movie yesterday. This sort of represents the best of what I could get with my phone on low brightness and basically in my lap. JW actually only has his eye(s) open for a very short time before looking down.
 
About what is behind JW is definitely something that looks like a hook. The circular thing above that seems almost like the medallion from Raiders but when the shot widens, it looks less so. Clearly a droid's head to the right. Further to the right (but not in this image) is something that looks like a CB radio and on top of that some sort of lantern.
 
Also, I doubt this was green screen. I think they just built a small part of a set behind him. It would have been less work than doing a composite shot, but I could be wrong.