Foxfan

I haven't looked used the original CDs in a while. I copied them to CD-Rs so that I could keep them with their original autographed box (see left) in a very safe place!

I concur. In fact, the 4th one wasn't even released in theatres... it was a direct-to-video release. I didn't even bother watching it.

Could you elaborate a little bit more on that please? I'd really love to understand this stuff, as I'd like to know more scientifically why I like this piece so much. As for the Varese Sarabande release, I didn't know it was still available! I'm considering getting it, but one thing bothers me. It says it corrects a problem with the original release (which I have) in which the master tape wasn't playing at the right speed. Does that mean the songs on this new album won't be in the same key as the other one? I've gotten so used to them that I don't know if I'd like the new pitch...

I hope they'll have recording footage on the Home Alone 2 DVD as well. I have both CDs but listen only to the second one as it is more complete with "Christmas Star".

I listened to it in the middle of the 11th row at Place-des-Arts' Pelletier Hall in Montreal. At that venue, I always prefer ground seats since that hall is so big that the brass drowns out the strings when you listen from the balconies.

You mean Blu-Ray...

Are you calling Williams a mediocre conductor? At least with him, most of the recordings and performances sound alike, unlike some conductors that play pieces that slow down or speed up unnecessarily and musicians don't all follow at the same time.

I didn't think the Japanese conductor was "that" bad. You do see him giving the beat and meter at least sometimes. For me, the worst I've seen was Claudio Abado (who is supposedly world renowned) conduct Dvorak's 9th symphony (my favorite non-film piece) on PBS a few years ago. I couldn't see anything logical in what he was doing... which is probably why the players just never looked at him.

It was supposed to be broadcast live in both Boston and Albany, I'm hoping someone picked it up... It would be nice to have a clean stereo recording of Duel of the Fates without the chorus.

Did anyone stay behind hoping for an autograph? I couldn't stay, but I assumed he wouldn't have come out last night anyway...

I just came back from the concert. Finally Duel of the Fates was the full-length version without the chorus, which was fun to hear. My only beef was that the "Throne Room" was the movie edition and not the extended concert edition (which sounds great in that upper key near the end). They also scrapped the plans to play NBC News. Oh, and guess what! Steven Spielberg was in the audience with us! I'm sure he was happy to see ET! Diskolobus, did you think of recording parts of the concert of WCRB back in Boston?

I've got a suggestion for all those going. How about we all meet during intermission in the wide row behind the box seats?

Maybe if he goes back to Boston for Holiday Pops.

I'm not trying to make you paranoid. I'm just telling you to arrive early to have a direct view. If you bring your own chairs, you can sit just on the edge of the shed if you arrive early enough. 6 or 7 is WAY too late. 2 or 3 is more reasonable (that's what I did with lawn tickets three years ago.

The grounds may open at 5:30 but the line-up outside the gates can start as early as anyone wants it.

I'm staying and have always stayed in Albany. Western Mass. is way too overpriced.

Place is nice, but for a view of the concert, the lawn is horrible. In the shed, the floor slopes down towards the stage, but on the lawn, the ground slopes down the other way, so unless you're real close, you don't have a direct line-of-sight and must rely on the screens. If you have lawn tickets, get there early!

It is? So is it just like the movie's end credits then? Also, anyone know why Battle of the Heroes wasn't included?

I remember hearing a low-quality recording of Duel of the Fates being performed without the chorus and it was a different arrangement with too much percussion.

Since they're playing without the chorus I hope they won't do the "clashy" version...

I was kind of hoping for "Liberty Fanfare" instead of "Sound the Bells", but oh well... I'm sure it will still be a great concert. I'm eager to see what they'll have in the works for the big John Williams 75th birthday celebration that is sure to come next year.

After bugging the BSO with numerous e-mails requesting it, they have finally put out a press release containing the program: (Unfortunately "Battle of the Heroes" doesn't seem to be included in the Grand Suite) Also, the BSO appears to have spilled the beans by also mentioning ET and NBC News (meant to be encores) in their press release: Link: http://www.bso.org/itemB/pressRelease.jhtm...600024&area=com

Yeah, I saw the Boston Pops show and it was AMAZING! Liberty Fanfare is a piece I only discovered recently and I now listen to it over and over. I was thrilled to see it performed in Boston.

Has anyone seen it? I'm away from home right now and need to call home to say what part to record when it will be repeated tonight and tomorrow... Any Williams pieces?

Does anyone know if Kunzel and the NSO plan on playing some Williams again this year at the Washington DC July 4th concert? I remember they had a tribute in 2004 and played "Battle of the Heroes" in 2005. I want to see if it's something worth me using another HD tape for.